[642] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
trees for the forest
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Public-Access Computer Systems For)
Wed Jul 1 12:08:52 1992
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1992 11:06:03 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
5 Messages, 163 Lines
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From: O.M.Stone <O.M.Stone@uk.ac.southampton>
Subject: Re: trees for the forest
Somewhere in there is a question I didn't take on concerning finding
> appropriate expectations for library service related to the Internet.
> That's what I meant by "trees for the forest." Maybe next time.
I was taking a class (mainly librarians, some faculty members) on an
exploratory trip through the Dartmouth Shakespeare when one of the librarians
- the most senior librarian present, as it happened - piped up "Why would
anybody want to use this?"
It is such moments as this that make me wonder why I'm doing the job I do. But
should I have perhaps replied to this person, rather than remaining silent as
I did, taking the attitude that as a librarian it wasn't my job to explain to
other librarians the value of something whose value should have been self-
evident (the non-librarians, and more "junior" staff, didn't seem to have any
difficulty appreciating it!)? You are right in that the "breadcrumb trail" is
the key to all this - but different things work for different people, and the
big difficulty arises in finding the appropriate bait with which to hook
different kinds of fish
Oren Stone
University of Southampton
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From: James P Love <LOVE@PUCC>
Subject: Re: trees for the forest
Less Jaffe's note concerning the reticence of librarians and others to
use the InterNet was an important reminder of the large barriers
that most users face in learning the technology and finding internet
resources. It's not easy to use the internet, and it is extremely
difficult to find data. People need reasons to make the investments
necessary to use the net. For many of us, the access to relevant
"lists" is enough. Of course, the availablity of lists is pretty
random, at least by topic, and its pretty difficult to start a new
list, particularly if you are not affiliated with a major university.
That leads me to the question of "products and services" that are
available over the Net. Good lists or good databases create important
incentives to participate in the network. That's why Senator Gore/Rep.
Rose's Gateway/WINDO proposals (S 2813, hr 2772) are so important for
net users. By providing access to a large number of important federal
databases, just about anyone who does any research will have an
important incentive to go online.
-----------------------------
James Love, Director VOICE: 609-683-0534
Taxpayer Assets Project FAX: 202-234-5176
7-Z Magie, Faculty Road bitnet: Love@pucc.bitnet
Princeton, NJ 08540 internet: Love@essential.org
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From: case@NEUROMANCER.UCHICAGO.EDU
Subject: Re: trees for the forest
> Somewhere in there is a question I didn't take on concerning finding
> appropriate expectations for library service related to the Internet.
> That's what I meant by "trees for the forest." Maybe next time.
Good posting nonetheless. (Good title, too.)
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From: FAC_DROBISON@JMUVAX1.BITNET
Subject: Re:trees for forest
Upon reading Lee Jaffe's concerns about many (some?) in the
profession not having a great deal of interest in the internet
and, apparently, not seeing a significant role for themselves or
libraries in using it, I was tempted to get into a position of
outrage (righteous, of course) and rail against those who do not
share the vision of the anointed. So, I let it simmer for a
while as I reflected on other things and now have calmed down
and, I hope, put this into a little different perspective.
In the early 1960's there was a rebirth of the library
instruction movement. Those of us who were considered founding
mothers and fathers had about the same level of impatience with
those who did not believe librarians had any business teaching
students how to use the library. They believed this to be the
responsibility of the teaching faculty; they didn't have time for
such things; they didn't know how; they didn't have the interest
or the skills or they felt uncomfortable in front of a class.
Some came into the library profession to escape teaching. In
short, it was something new, different, requiring risk and upset
established priorities. While I understand that there are still
a few out there who might still believe this, my guess is that
they are very much a minority. Library instruction has moved
from a cottage industry to a major factor in what academic
libraries are all about.
It is my belief that this will also be the case with the
networked library. Eventually a majority of us will find that
our role in using and promulgating the use of the NET and other
electronic sources will be an integral part of what we do. As
with library instruction, we'll find the time to do that which is
important.
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From: rjs4808@usl.edu (Smith Richard J)
Subject: trees & forest
I've experienced the same views from librarians uninitiated to the
Internet as Lee Jaffe mentioned in his posting:
"At other discussions during ALA I heard a fair amount of
antagonism about using the Internet. Again I would say that few
people thought it unimportant, just too much to take on."
It reminds me of when I was the state audio visual consultant at
the State Library of Indiana. I suggested to public librarians to
switch from 16mm film to video cassettes. There was plenty of
discussion: It was an extra burden--no equipment--no money--
can't show to large audiences-- vhs, beta, beta II etc.. When I
was able to provide $22,000 worth of 16mm film programs to
libraries for only the cost of the video cassettes most public
libraries were eager to ship the blank cassettes and start a video
collection.
This may be the same for the Internet. The international
communication ,speed of information transfer, and resources
available will someday be standard for the library profession.
Yet, something tangible and of immediate value would speed up the
process. ERIC on the Internet is a good start and other commercial
services are making headway.
However, more services are needed as soon as possible to get
uninterested librarians excited about the Internet.
I know the importance of funding NREN a billion plus dollars to
upgrade the network and keep things flowing at an acceptable pace.
It would be nice, however, if a percentage of NREN funding went to
services.
What could be provided if a part, say 50 million, went to Internet
resources. What would we want?
For instance:
Several million to get free Internet access to an
encyclopedia, a dictionary, a thesaurus and other standard
reference databases.
Free full text delivery of 100 journal through CARL, Faxon,
Ebsco, or publishers.
Several million to provide free Internet services from OCLC.
Money to the Library of Congress to provide a national
electronic reference service
A million to pay a programmer to develop free software that
would give clean bibliographic citations from the hundreds of
library OPACs on the Internet--no matter what vendor or what
format (APA, Chicago Manual, Turabian.)
Census database, monthly catalog, patents, and a dozen other
government databases.
An on-line genealogy library would be a winner with public
librarians.
I could go on. Fifty million dollars worth of resources would be
a vigorous incentive for librarians unfamiliar with the Internet to
be excited to participate in this new technology.
Richard J. Smith
University of Southwestern Louisiana
rs@usl.edu
