My thoughts, help!!!! It's obvious that libraries have to move ahead but for people like bumbles, its a hard slog. The technological language we use has changed dramatically, before I started learning 2, I had not heard of the word "blog" or sites such as "flickr", "RSS feeds" etc. Regardless of whether I like this or not, move ahead we must.
On reading the article "Away from Icebergs" one salient point was raised. No longer do library patrons come to the library to access non fiction data, today they either access the information they need by the net at home, or come to the library to download the info. The need for a vast collection of non fiction books is no longer required but training for the public is.
Another article mentioned OCLC - Open Worldcat, a system which would integrate collections and services of member libraries and would be accessible to anyone with a web browser. This system, I believe, will bring libraries and patrons into a new era.
My one concern is for the elderly, where do they fit in with all this? Are we going to try and teach them or do we leave them to their own devices? Many of the elderly are at a stage where they don't want the pressure of having to learn new skills, they just want to find the information in a book, they say "you can't take a computer to bed and be comfortable". I believe libraries must cater for the elderly but at the same time reduce the purchasing of non fiction books, how then do we cater for them?
The way forward is via technology but at the same time maintaining the public and personal aspect of libraries. This can be achieved by continuing to put people first, by catering in the best possible way to the varying needs and by being willing to "go the extra mile" when required.
