Thanks for opening up this dialogue. It’s a topic which should be near & dear to all of us who work to keep our staff engaged and our libraries relevant as the dynamic public resources they are.

BTW, there’s a great new book devoted to this topic: Technology Competencies and Training for Libraries by Sarah Houghton-Jan. http://www.techsource.ala.org/ltr/technology-competencies-and-training-for-libraries.html

Also, check out this archive of a Web Junction webinar on the library staff competency topic.
http://www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=17556
Good info for those of us who are working to implement this for our libraries.

Wow, that report contains junk science that would make the thimerosal crowd blush. I know you guys want to keep your jobs and all, but asking librarians about the potency of libraries is kind of, well, predictable.

It seems to this outsider that acceptance of this fact may end up being the issue which decides the fate of librarians as a whole. To they go the way of the switchboard operator (oblivion), or embrace new skills and redefine themselves, perpetuating and expanding their relevance?

I also politely disagree a bit with the notion of a digital divide. While its true that not every home has equal access, this is changing by the day and should be considered a very short term issue. Think about any major technology - TVs, cell phones, DVD players - all were the domain of the wealthy when introduced, only to achieve near-universal usage. And, as time marches on, newer technologies are adopted faster not slower. There is a famous quote about those who choose to ignore history.

Of course I am biased, but I think that libraries and librarians are even more important the more information is out there and available. Many people have a hard time dealing with the sheer volume of information they can easily access, and are not sure of how to sift through all of it. What constitutes credible information? How do I weed out the crap? How do I use information when I find the good stuff? I’d like to think that information professionals like Librarians are perfectly placed to address these concerns with their community members. And more and more I think libraries will need to get into the creation aspect of information literacy as the consumer/producer line is increasingly blurred.

There’s also the issue of the digital divide, and I think libraries play an important role in helping all community members gain access to online information and also master the skills they need to use it. You and I obviously have access to computers, the Internet, and the skill set necessary to go out there and find most of what we want whenever we want. This is not the case for everyone in your community, I can guarantee. For various different reasons. I’d be willing to bet that your library’s public computers are packed with users on most days.

And don’t forget that the old brick and mortar building is not just an old pile of books with old ladies shushing people! I don’t know what community you’re from, but I’m sure that your library has much more to offer than that. If it is like the public libraries around here, this would include access to high quality subscription databases for in-depth research, online reference help available 24/7, downloadable audio books, music, and video, and community programs for all ages. In fact, in many communities, the library is taking on the role of community center, offering a wide range of programs, concerts, and activities for everyone to take part in.

Yes, I’d agree that the list that I put up was pretty pathetic. That really was the point. To be honest, though, I generally see only a few librarians per library lacking these skills, and I think many of them are on the verge of retiring. Those who stick around are going to have a very hard time functioning, especially as the rest of their colleagues move forward and gain skills that far, far, surpass the basics I put down on this list.

That said, I’d like to think that we’re not dead yet, especially as we address as a profession some of the issues that are standing in our way - like those few librarians who won’t step into the 21st century.

Like I said, I’m really glad that you commented. I think it’s a great reminder for all of us to see that there are lots of folks out there in our service populations that don’t know if investing in the future of libraries is worthwhile. We can take it as a lesson in how our communities percieve us… and use that to show everyone what we have to offer and perhaps change that perception!

I must point out that this list of competencies defines a pathetically low set of expectations. Cut & paste text? Make a purchase online? Where is “press a button on a mouse”. This list is below the skill set possessed by the average high school student, let alone successful professionals like yourselves. I know its not ignorance - it’s denial.

Libraries are not the first industry to be totally overhauled by technology nor will it be the last. If you embrace the revolution rather than fight it at every step you stand a chance of survival. Otherwise our kids’ kids will ask about libraries the same way our kids want to know about drive-in movies.

Sorry I probably sound like a troll but that is not my intention.

And bravo to your comment about lifelong learning. If librarians would only practice a little of what they preach, I think Libraryworld would be a much more perfect place! I know that learning new things is definitely empowering for me, and I just can’t understand the folks I encounter who seem to feel so affronted by the idea. If they’re not interested in using their brains, growing and learning, then they are sure in the wrong profession!