Idaho Commission for Libraries

A library. What do you see in your mind’s eye when you see those words? I have worked and been in many libraries, but I still think of the one I went to as a child. It was a wondrous place. There was so much to look at: the book displays, the art exhibits, the people quietly reading at the big tables.

I read an article from LibraryJournal.com, Making the Big Decision, July 15, 2005, that Karen Ganske mentioned on LIBIDAHO. The author Christine Schutz describes her "quirky...librarian-style" suggesting that librarians should forget the stereotype and find what works for them in today's libraries. Christine is the new Director of the Terteling Library at Albertson College.

I applaud Ann Joslin and the Idaho State Library staff for shepherding us to the 2020 Vision conference. While in my last post I was trudging the roads of reality I am now looking forward to engaging in thinking, brainstorming, discussing, and being challenged by colleagues as we ponder the future of libraries.

Having worked, as a professional, in high school, academic, and public libraries I know that there are many differences in our respective missions. However, in spite of the differences, we are all trying to get appropriate information to our users.

In my preparation for this conference I read Greg Bear’s “Darwin’s Radio.” What I got from the book was that adaptations to an environment will happen whether we like it or not. We can either embrace the change or find it hideous and try to hide it away from public view. I would like to think that I fall into the “embracing” reaction but the uncomfortable reality is that all too often I see things through my “hideous” eyes.

As most of you are, I am in the midst of preparing my FY 05-06 budget. Earlier this year I wrote a column that appeared in the Moscow Pulman Daily News which addressed the difference between a library and a reading room. The point I was making is that a library provides a full sprectrum of services, not just access to books. I was hoping to inspire the county residents to a higher goal for their libraries. But alas -

As I meet with community groups throughout the county I frequently heard that they want books on the shelves, lots of books - but no apparent concern about the currency and accuracy of the information in the books or the breadth of available information.

The greatest crisis facing us is not Russia, not the Atom Bomb, not corruption in government, not encroaching hunger, not the morals of the young. It is a crisis in the organization and accessibility of human knowledge. We own an enormous “encyclopedia” — which isn’t even arranged alphabetically. Our “file cards” are spilled on the floor, nor were they ever in order. The answers we want may be buried somewhere in the heap, but it might take a lifetime to locate two already known facts, place them side by side and derive a third fact, the one we urgently need.

Here's a link to an article in Utne by Chris Dodge entitle Knowledge For Sale: Are America's public libraries on the verge of losing their way?

Article at Utne.com.

(Sorry, but I can’t seem to make the linkmaker work.)
[Editor: the link has been fixed.]

Mike

UPDATES:
Catching up on blog entries, we have some terrific material and thoughts being shared. Thanks to everyone for contributing and reading.

I’ve been able to meet with Brenda Cooper and Louise Marley in person, and Dave Kusek by phone in the past couple of weeks. They are all excited to attend. Brenda and Louise will be able to join us for the entire Think Tank. They will stay in the discussions, and Brenda will help with facilitating if needed.

Brenda’s first novel, with dean of Science Fiction Larry Niven is out this month. Title: Building Harlequin’s Moon. I am reading it now and it’s a great summer read. Earthborn people escape an over-technological earth but get stranded on the way to a new world. They have to build their own world, and in so doing must use the same technology they set out to escape, plus they have to birth a new civilization of moon-born. Thus they must come face-to-face with their own prejudices and fears.

It might be worthwhile to read (and print out, if you wish) The Infinite Library from Technology Review. It can be found at www.technologyreview.com/articles/05/05/issue/feature_library.asp.

Mike Doellman
Marshall Public Library, Pocatello

I think that in order to determine where we should go we have to first step back and ask ourselves why we exist at all. What makes libraries of any sort — public, academic, prison, governmental, special, school — so important that they exist? Why should the taxpayers/company/whoever pay thousands for what we do? Could someone else do it better and more efficiently? What do we give back to our communities that others do not?

And, perhaps most important, has the day of the library, historically the epitome of linearity, ended? Or has it just begun?

Mike Doellman
Marshall PL
Pocatello

I have finally wound up the school year and may have time to think and read...I hope! I received the books from ILA - Thanks, and have looked at the reading list, etc. I will be leaving for Costa Rica this Friday and plan to take along some reading materials for the think tank.