My co-worker Josh forwarded me a link to the Friendfeed conversation he started about my last blog post. I read the reactions with interest, and had a few thoughts in connection with this: Another co-worker forwarded an email with this, that seems related: “And these statistic(s) from another book, “Empire of Illusion: the End ofContinue reading “More Godin-ish thoughts”
Category Archives: libraries
Information is not free
Seth Godin blogged recently about his idea to transform libraries for the 21st century. Apparently he’s been talking to librarians who are unhappy that their DVD circulation is up (as it would be, in this economy when people are looking for cheap/free home entertainment). But I think he has some things very wrong: “They can’tContinue reading “Information is not free”
How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They’re Built by Stewart Brand
From my last post – this was the only book referred to in the New South Wales matrix that I hadn’t yet read. So I set out to grab a copy of How Buildings Learn and discover more about its metaphor for a potential library future. I think I have always been interested in architectureContinue reading “How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They’re Built by Stewart Brand”
Bookend Scenarios – Public libraries 20 years in the future?
The State Library of New South Wales did a little future forecasting and compiled their results in a nice white paper called Bookend Scenarios (pdf). Although they were focusing on particularly Australian concerns, I was surprised by how applicable their vision is to American libraries. We face very similar challenges to our services, and it’sContinue reading “Bookend Scenarios – Public libraries 20 years in the future?”
Random Questions on Future Libraries from Scott McLeod
I enjoy reading Scott McLeod’s blog, Dangerously Irrelevant, because it challenges the status quo. He asks the questions that make us uncomfortable about the future of education (which is inextricably tied up in libraries, of course). He’s posted some questions as a result of some recently completed speaking gigs. I answer them here. 1. WhatContinue reading “Random Questions on Future Libraries from Scott McLeod”
Happy 2nd Anniversary from IL2009
I’m excited to celebrate 2 years of blogging here! I wanted a new place to collect library thoughts so began this blog at IL2007 in order to do just that. This has been a great space for me to explore the random library, education, and literature-related ideas that flow through my head. Sometimes I feelContinue reading “Happy 2nd Anniversary from IL2009”
Even more e-readers, and mobile thoughts
At our annual Staff Day extravaganza on Columbus Day, Columbus Metropolitan Library‘s director Patrick Losinski gave a nice keynote about today’s library challenges and opportunities. His library concentrates on three key constituencies: young minds, power users, and virtual users. I think these are three sets of people you’d do well to make your primary serviceContinue reading “Even more e-readers, and mobile thoughts”
Just call it my Babel wish…
I spent an hour with a patron the other day trying to figure out why, suddenly, her MP3 player refused to let her listen to audiobooks from one of our vendors. It worked before… and now, it wouldn’t. She just wanted to lend it to her students, and let them listen. It turns out thatContinue reading “Just call it my Babel wish…”
Relax. It’s just a book.
It’s summer, so you know what that means at the public library… a deluge of kids and parents looking for books! It’s great to see so many people who encourage youth to participate in summer reading. But why is finding the “right” book so difficult? While there are a lot of kids who sit inContinue reading “Relax. It’s just a book.”
Welcome to the 21st century library
I am a survivor of many a teen gaming tournament. I’ve organized and worked at both computer and console gaming events in several libraries, and I can say without a doubt that it’s plain hard work. And it’s worthwhile work – I’m just as likely to ask a reluctant reader what games they like toContinue reading “Welcome to the 21st century library”