…you will want to read this article describing some recent changes. These include information about indexing the journal content of Science Direct, moves to digitize journal content from various sources, and advice to search Google Books for journal content as well.
Presentation on redefining libraries from last week’s British Columbia Library Association Conference.
Crowley, Bill. (2007)”Don’t let Google and the Pennypinchers Get You Down: Defending (or Redefining) Libraries and Librarianship in the Age of Technology.” In Proceedings Beyond 20/20 Envisioning the Future: 2007 British Columbia Library Conference, Burnaby (Canada).
Abstract: What are libraries really about? If libraries and librarians cannot compete with information technology giants like Google, how can they remain relevant to their communities of users? Crowley explores ways to understand how the general public and students view libraries. Bluntly stated, there is no longer any way that librarians and trustees can convince residents of local communities and members of college and university campuses that libraries are their primary information source. Given this reality, Crowley introduces the concept of lifecycle librarianship, offering a useful way of considering library roles and securing the necessary human and financial resources to carry them through. This presentation will encourage realistic and original thinking about the future of libraries and professional librarianship by redefining their primary roles from information suppliers to education providers and self-learning facilitators.
Here’s his definition of “library science or librarianship:
As a field, library science or librarianship is concerned with understanding and advancing learning throughout the human lifecycle, with a particular emphasis on the processes of reading and other forms of communicating story, information, and meaning through library and library-related contexts. The emphasis on human learning, content, and meaning distinguishes library science from the newer field of information science. (Bill Crowley, October 6, 2006)Here I have to let you in on a little secret. If you are employed with a public, school, or academic library—and really believe that you are an information specialist and not a librarian—you are either engaging in wishful thinking or you have been successfully brainwashed by your ALA-accredited program.
Great article in Library Journal on the positive response from students, faculty and librarians from putting librarians in the departments where they become active members of the faculty involved in teaching and research.
Educause has published their study of student’s use of technology. There was one question related to the use of library materials (Q2.14, How often do you use an electronic device to access a library resource on an official college or university library web site) and one that asked them to rate themselves regarding various technology skills (e.g., spreadsheets, presentation software, course management software). 94% of the students surveyed answered that they had used the library web site; the median use is monthly. About an equal number rate their skill level as basic (46.9%) or advanced (43.7%), with seniors more likely to rate themselves as advanced (50.0% vs. 36.9% for freshmen).
Nice short review of the improved performance, design and features of Ask.com search engine (replaced Ask Jeeves) is in the newest LOEX Quarterly.