I read a small comment in something I was reading for the Library 2.0 debate assignment for FIS 1311 and it has started me thinking. In his response to the Talis white paper, Michael Stephens chides libraries for not being up to date with their users. He says, “No cell phones. No IM on public PCs. No talking. No working together on the workstations. No THANK YOU, [emphasis in original] I’ll go to Starbucks.” (http://www.techsource.ala.org/blog/2005/11/do-libraries-matter-on-library-librarian-20.html).
So I understand what he means and agree that libraries have to be vibrant welcoming places where information and knowledge can be exchanged freely and, if need be, noisily. However, and this might be putting me squarely in the “bun and cardigan wearing” set, what is so wrong with a little quiet? I mean haven’t we all had that experience where we are trying to do our work and some jerk beside us is talking loudly about their personal life on his or her cell phone? That’s really annoying! I go to my favourite library to do work because it is peaceful and quiet, free from distractions.
Okay, I’m being a little facetious here, I know that Stephens isn’t suggesting that all libraries be turned into marketplaces, devoid of any quiet places but I do get a bit worried with all the talk that goes on constantly about how we can fix libraries. Yes there are things wrong with libraries, but there are also things right with them. I think what bothered me about the comment was the “I’ll go to Starbucks” part. Essentially, what Stephens is saying, I think anyway, is that if libraries can’t be more like coffee shops, then people will go there instead. But what if people go to libraries because they *aren’t* coffee shops? Do we want libraries to be coffee shops? Because a Starbucks will always be able to do ‘coffee shop’ better than a library, that’s not what libraries are for. I know lots of people go to coffee shops to do work, but I don’t think they go because the library won’t let them talk. I’m picking up on the coffee shop idea as more of a metaphor here, it is not so much about the physical space of the library (although that is important too), but I think we need to think a lot about what works in libraries and not lose that in the push for more technical advances. Just because the technology exists to do something, doesn’t mean it is the best thing to do, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t, but I think we need to think and talk about this.
This is the beginning of my thinking about the Talis Library 2.0 white paper. The suggestions therein are certainly exciting but I’m still a little skeptical, for reasons I’ll get into in more depth once I’ve thought about it more. I wonder, are we trying to turn libraries into something that other commercial vendors do better? Like Amazon for example, which Chad and Miller cite as a hassle free way for consumers to get books, libraries can’t be Amazon because they don’t operate at a for profit level so they don’t make as much money. And I doubt that consumers/users expect libraries to function like Amazon, at least in the book delivery capacity.
Don’t worry, I’m not a backward thinking luddite who’s biting at the bit to go smash some computers. I agree that libraries have to keep changing with technology. I’m open to changes and some of those proposed by Library 2.0 adherents sound like they could be wonderful. I’m just sort of skeptical of new technologies, especially ones that people are frothing at the mouth with excitement over. But I’m going to approach this with an open mind and do some more reading. Who knows they may just convert me? Speaking of which, I am also inherently distrustful of someone who calls themselves an evangelist (Miller & Chad, 2005) of any kind, yikes!
Reference List
Chad, K. and Miller, P. (2005). “Do libraries matter: The rise of library 2.0.” [version 1.0] http://www.talis.com/. November 2005.
Michael Stephens. (2005). Ala TechSource. November 18, 2005. Accessed on Sept. 27, 2005. http://www.techsource.ala.org/blog/2005/11/do-libraries-matter-on-library-librarian-20.html.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Blog Archive
About Me
- Rachel E. Beattie
- I am a first year grad student in Information Studies. My background is actually in film, so I am trying to combine the two somehow.
7 comments:
You are so right! A few Saturdays ago I went to Indigo to hear one of my favourite authors do a reading; the SRO crowd was corralled well back of the podium because they had to leave a walkway for people to enter the store! Needless to say it was almost impossible to see or hear since shoppers kept loudly walking in front of the audience! I kept thinking - why can't this be held in a library?!!!
I'll join the bun and cardigan set, too. I've never been able to understand how anyone can get work done or read at Starbucks - I think it's to be seen (look at me, I'm typing on my laptop). I think we should cherish nice quiet places where we can get away from the tv, cellphone and gadgets and say, read a book.
The "Do Libraries matter?" article presents an exciting vision for the future but is somewhat one-sided. Libraries need to innovate in order to keep their patrons? What are U.K. libraries like? In North America I've seen a tremendous amount of change over the years plus I've seen long lines at libraries. I think libraries are changing, and integrating new technologies as they become available, in a balanced approach that attracts new patrons without discarding the established patrons. And yes, quiet is one of the things that some patrons are seeking when they enter a library. I have no problem having areas devoted to group work/discussion, but it is nice, and too rare in our society, to find a nice quiet spot where you can actually think about what you are reading.
Rachel, I really agree with your posting. My public library has a coffee shop on the first floor in the video room, which is a perfect fix for people who want to talk over a latte. As for me, I am up on the second floor, quietly curled up in an armchair with a book (away from the madding crowd).
Libraries DO matter, but in different ways according to the differend needs of each patron. It's important to recognize that, although some people would prefer a coffee shop setting or to IM a librarian, some patrons (and NOT customers!) feel strongly about maintaining procedures that are traditional (what's wrong with that word??) within libraries.
I often work in coffee shops, but that's because I usually need a cup of coffee to motivate myself to start working. In any case, I agree that libraries are the place to go when you need (relative) quiet.
So what's the guy equivalent of a bun and cardigan? A monocle, you say? I'm in!
here, here! i'm all for libraries being quiet and polite spaces! i had to pick up and relocate from my chosen desk at the british library when a "group" decided to "work" near me because of course, their idea of "working" involved loud "whispering." that said, i'm not sure that this has to be an all or nothing thing: what i really liked about the bl was that they had a few glassed in rooms that groups could ask to use. more libraries should have facilities like that and more librarians should go around and suggest noisy groups make use of such facilities, rather than losing patrons by kicking them out altogether!
Post a Comment