[390] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Public Libraries and the ne
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jean Polly)
Mon Jun 1 09:26:19 1992
Date: Mon, 1 Jun 1992 08:20:57 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
From: Jean Polly <polly@lpl.org>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
REGARDING Public Libraries and the net.again
> I disagree that public access to Internet is a crucial need at this time
> to support the "information access" mission of public libraries.
Sigh. Well, maybe *patron* access isn't crucial today, but it will be in a
year, or so, I bet. Right now access for libraries, at the LEAST email
access, IS critical.
> For one thing, patron access to Internet presents many technical and
> training difficulties.
Absolutely true. And something that needs to be addressed right away. But
patron access to anything requires some expertise. Ever confront a patron
with Facts on File (the paper version, not the CD), Moody's, Standard &
Poor? Their eyes glaze over.
>How many public libraries have a high-speed
> telecommunications link to a POP?
About 20 have been identified in the US so far. San Diego Public Library is
about to come on using a packet radio T1 equivalent line.
>If they don't, they must used rather
> awkward PC-based programs that may offer telenetting and/or email, >but
not ftp.
Well, maybe. But there is always interactive ftp mail, like the stuff you
can have sent to you by email from NSF.
> What resources will a public library patron use? Will they attempt to
> search for materials they want to ILL by telneting from one library
> catalog to another and doing the same search in dozens of catalogs? Will
> they be familiar with the NOTIS, DRA, DYNIX, INLEX, GEAC etc. search
> prompts? I think not.
I don't think patrons will telnet around to OPACS. Not until the remote OPAC
has some feature which will let patrons order the book to be sent to them
UPS or something. Yes, this will leave the local library out of the loop. A
lot of people would pay UPS fees and a Mastercard deposit to get an
important book held only in a remote library.
But I think people will be more interested in telnetting to interesting free
sites, like Gophers and UNC's BBS and the Freenets. People may also use
public technology to access pay services like The WELL, which can now be
telnetted
to (well.sf.ca.us) at $2 an hour.
> Will they use the public databases? The Oceanic Information Center? NASA
SpaceLink?
Absolutely. And in another month or so they'll be able to do it from our
public computer lab.
> In the meanwhile, public libraries must also provide patrons with >access
to more localized information: the catalog of the library the >patron is in,
including the holdings status of the items they are looking >for (which
implies a circ system); a regional union catalog of neighboring >libraries;
a union list of serials--linked to a journal citation index; an
>informational and referral database of local social service agencies;
>local newspaper index; local genealogical index; local activities
>calendar; local government directory; etc. Are not all of these better
>examples of the information resources that can serve the needs of public
>library patrons?
>
> Jerry Kuntz, Automation Manager
> Finger Lakes Library System (29 public libraries in a 5-county region
> of upstate New York)
> ny0078@mail.nyser.net
>
Yes, libraries should provide electronic access to their holdings and the
status of those holdings, and provide these same resources regionally. But,
I am disappointed that you seem to hold such a narrow view of the public
library mission. Does your library system circulate videos? Many people
think even THAT is outside the library mission. There are those who think
libraries should not offer concerts, programming, craft shows and other
things which expand the community's horizons.
I agree that the library should offer what the local community needs, wants,
and is willing to pay for. But please do NOT second-guess your community.
Have you asked them if they want to have friends in the XSU, Finland,
Australia? Have you asked them if they want to be able to utilize remote
resources? Have you asked them if they want to be able to download etexts,
ftp software and files, etc etc? What about the patron who lives in Ithaca
NOW but is moving to Cleveland tomorrow? Shouldn't he be able to scan job
listings in the remote city, check out the community life there, etc? And
once he's moved, shouldn't he be able to keep up contact with his old home
town?
We need a paradigm shift in our profession's attitudes. Libraries can't stop
at their walls and be competitive-- for tax dollars and other funding-- any
more.
Jean Armour Polly INTERNET: polly@LPL.ORG or polly@nysernet.org
Liverpool Public Library OTHER: polly@well.sf.ca.us
Liverpool NY USA VISION: "Don't postpone joy!"
Never underestimate the bandwidth of a minivan full of CD-ROMs.
