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JISC joins Libraries of the Future Debate July 27, 2009

Posted by k3nd in Library Image, Technology.
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JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) has released a video on the Future of the Library. Check out the JISC website as it contains other relevant information regarding the debate.

Rock the boat, don’t rock the boat baby… July 25, 2009

Posted by k3nd in Disturbance.
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waveThings are rolling along fine. The processes which we have had for the past 10 years are going great. In fact, I reckon I could not be here and everything would run like clockwork. We are very happy the way things are. I’m sorry to rain on your parade, but it sounds like your library is in a rut, a slow train to nowhere.

Once your organisation feels “comfortable”, it will not strive for new ideas or new processes. What is needed is “disturbance” from it’s employees. No, not internal sabotage, but a little shaking up, stirring the possum, making things interesting, pushing the envelope, raising the bar, whatever you want to call it.

Look inward to your own employees, so long as they have not been brow beaten or bored into submission. They are your greatest asset, and so long as they are listened to and encouraged to participate, your library will prosper.

Just remember, the font of all knowledge does not lie with the few, but the collective, so long as they are prepared to contribute, and others are willing to let go.

Lights….camera….customers July 16, 2009

Posted by k3nd in Young Adult.
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cinemaHmm…now how to get young adults into the young adult area? Promote it on the web? Have a big sign? Shoot out a press release? No way Hosei. Play a movie. Recently I setup a viewing of Ms Rowling’s fifth installment to the delight of twenty or so well behaved YA’s.

As I stated in a previous post, “You wont need Sinatra to get ’em in”. In this case a popular movie would suffice. Hopefully, some of those youngsters will come back again, maybe to see another movie, maybe to read a book, try out the wireless, talk to their peers, it doesn’t matter. They are in.

Let’s extend this to other age groups. Throw in a few mystery thrillers, documentaries and general movies for those so inclined. Let’s move away from the traditional “library” focus of being quiet and well behaved to a centre of not only learning,  but enjoyment. If a place is not fun or engaging, your customers will not return, unless they have to. Why not throw in some entertainment. Start to transform your library from a serious finger wagging institution, into a vibrant community hub where learning can go hand in hand with entertainment.

If I ever hear another stamp again…. July 14, 2009

Posted by k3nd in stamping.
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simplicityAs I laborously stamp each item at the circulation desk with it’s due date, I think, “why the hell am I doing this?” The main reason given is for weeding purposes. A stamped item displays a record of how popular or otherwise it is. A visual tool for diching or retaining a resource.

To my knowledge, most libraries have got rid of this practice, instead opting for a receipt print out on request. Surely, customers need to take more responsibility in regards to when their items are due back. They don’t need to be spoon fed to the point of questionable customer service. Apart from the receipt print out of their items, they are able to check their due dates online, can enquire over the phone, and some libraries have initiated schemes such as SMS, email and phone reminders of overdue items. Anyway, most of the time their is no ink in these darn things and people couldn’t be bothered and stamp about 17 dates in the one spot or on the book. It’s a matter of routine taking precedence over logic.

Remaining is the question over weeding. I say that the positives far outweigh the negatives in the removal of stamping. If a library forgoes it in favour of knowing when to withdraw a Barbara Cartland novel, God save us all.

The Wires are gone, now for the Restrictions July 12, 2009

Posted by k3nd in Wireless.
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wiresIs your library wireless friendly? And why not? It is the way we communicate and work now. People are less attached to desktops as sales suggest, with laptop and other mobile devices taking off. Yes, we are a mobile society in more ways than one.

It can be a frustrating process for customers connecting to your wireless network, if they can at all. First they need to timidly approach the librarian and beg for a password. They are then greeted by a generic and sterile launch page. Finally, they have access to a filtered internet experience, of snail pace speed, which may not be able to reach all ends of the library.

Half way through typing their assignment, they realise that the laptop is running low on battery life!! My God, where is a powerpoint? They eventually end up plugging in with the powercord at maximum stretch in an ideal situation for a busy, unwary librarian to trip over. OMG the OHS issues!

And finally after all of your hard work you need to print out the hard copy result. “I’m sorry sir, you cannot print from the wireless network”.

What can libraries do to facilitate this surge in mobile technology?

  • make access easier:  autologon, no passwords
  • purchase work stations with powerpoints built in, plus abundant outlets in walls
  • allow printing from the network
  • ensure stong signal throughout building
  • ensure all staff knowledgable if troubleshooting required.
  • purchase comfortable seating, as everybody does not want to sit at a desk
  • increase bandwidth

Here is another example of  customer friendly, not routine based services, that are tailored to the needs of the user, and not on how the system can block, block, block.

It’ll have to wait till I get off the desk July 4, 2009

Posted by k3nd in Staff, Technology.
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headsThe life of a systems librarian is a perplexing and unique one. Does one become an IT professional first and then move into libraries? Or does one become a librarian first and learn IT? My guess is the latter.

The important word here is “librarian”. Even though you may be totally imersed in PCs, networking, training, installations, troubleshooting and maintaining websites, you will also be asked to do your daily shifts on the circulation and reference desks as well, returning, issuing and answering phone renewals. You are still a librarian, not an I.T. Pro, even though it is expected all systems are running perfectly.

Having a foot in both camps can make one feel like an imposter. Having none of the I.T. qualifications,  but doing all the work. The question arises, “why should we train up this librarian in I.T. when we have an I.T. Department?” And that’s a fair enough question.

Future Libraries will demand all staff to be computer literate. I don’t envisage an I.T. librarian as such. Sure,  there may be the person who has a greater knowledge of networking, or the guy who is a whiz on the web, or the dude who does installations.  Broadly speaking, all future information professionals will be “I.T. Professionals” in their own right.

The library, as the focal point of the Community, will demand a greater share of I.T. budgets. I.T. professionals who once never thought of working in a library, will be entised by greater salaries and state of the art facilities. Although it will be important to drum into them the public library ethos. Until then, I think it is feasible for a library to have a dedicated and qualified I.T. employee who is not a librarian. Those libraries will leave the others eating dust.