As a symbolic space, a type of collection, a kind of building, the library gives institutional form to our collective memory. Public libraries and other institutions established boundaries between public and private life that have become crucial to the modern meaning and experience of community. Community in postmodern America has itself become a function of
◊ Technology ◊
Teach your children well, part 2
Two recent news reports have signaled the displacement of human professionals with technology in high school education. A local newspaper wrote a glowing piece about a Massachusetts high school principal who laid off the librarian and used the funds to transform the school library into a technology center. And in its report about the demise
What’s next for public libraries?
Today’s post spotlights the work of Richard Watson, a futurist based in England and Australia. His current project focuses on the future of public libraries. Public reports are expected during Aug/Sept, and Watson has been blogging about the project this month. The work team has posited four scenarios, and each is an interesting read for
Library bumper stickers
This week via one of the library listservs, Susan Hill Pieper of the Paulding County Carnegie Library asked folks to submit their favorite bumper sticker slogans.
Research not entertainment
Earlier this month, a Tampa newspaper quoted a local County Commissioner’s view that “libraries [are] a place to convey knowledge, to learn things” and “ought to be used for research, not for entertainment.” It made me wonder how embedded the dichotomy between learning and fun remains in the public conciousness and to what degree patrons
In the library with the lead pipe
Over the past few months, I’ve followed more than a dozen library blogs to develop my blogging acumen and learn about libraries. I’ve been hoping to find librarians who use blogs to unleash their curiosity and expression, demonstrate scholarship, critical thinking, library advocacy and activism, and extend the medium. Eureka — I came into the
Doing a 360 in the long room library
Images of the Long Room Library at Trinity College Dublin take my breath away. Check out the 360° panoramic and be sure to go full screen!
Mapping the meaning of library
I just love thinking about things in new ways, and researching today’s article has been particularly enjoyable. In thinking about what I’ll need from libraries 10 or 20 years from now, I began by describing a place where I could relax and rejuvenate myself, intellectually and socially — kind of like a spa, I thought.
Being BTF: findability & patronage
Findability: … a work has no value unless it is seen; unfound masterpieces are worthless. When there are millions of books, millions of songs, millions of films, millions of applications, millions of everything requesting our attention—and most of it free—being found is valuable. Patronage: Fans like to reward artists, musicians, authors and the like with
Being BTF: accessibility & embodiment
Accessibility: ownership often [stinks]. You have to keep your things tidy, up-to-date, and in the case of digital material, backed up. Many people, me included, will be happy to have others tend our “possessions”. Embodiment: The music is free—the bodily performance expensive. From Better than Free by Kevin Kelly. This week I’ve used the work
