Library Revolution

How does your thought process work?

Do you ever start thinking about something and then, before you know it, you’re on to something else entirely… and before another blink of an eye, you’re two steps beyond that? Ever end up with an idea that seems completely random to anyone else, but to you seems like the natural conclusion of your thought process?

This video illustrates my point exactly.

Now, if that looks familiar to you (it does to me!), maybe it is something we need to keep in mind when we think about the “next generation” of library services and technologies.

How can we design our library services, spaces, and technologies to accommodate the complexities of our thought processes as we search for knowledge? How can we design interfaces that are more intuitive for use by people who do not necessarily think in cut-and-dried flow chart form (like those they show you in library school!)? What about our physical spaces? And is this something we can keep in mind more as we conduct face-to-face interactions with patrons whose questions and information needs may not be as simple as a straight question and answer?

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When I saw this film several weeks ago, I was struck by something….

While the field of librarianship has undoubtedly changed in innumerable ways in the last 60 years, I find it interesting that the way we categorize library positions has undergone very little change. Most libraries I interact with still have the same basic categories of library employees, and generally define their duties in the same way, if in an updated form.

I wonder, though if this might be a case of trying to fit an increasingly square peg (our changing positions and responsibilities) into a hole that remains just as round was it was in 1946 (the general job categories).

Something I am always struck by in libraries is how the more departmentalized the library, the more difficult a time they seem to have when adapting to change. In libraries where circulation doesn’t speak to tech services, who has nothing to do with reference or children’s, when new services come along, they have a hard time figuring out who in the organization assumes the responsibility. When traditional services change, they have a hard time changing with them, as sometimes the changes defy the traditional categories.

The result is often frustrated employees, and new services being treated as afterthoughts not getting the attention they deserve. All of which does nothing to meet patron needs and expectations, help professionals to adapt to change, or encourage further innovation down the road.

I wonder if the first step in combating this downward spiral is to reassess the traditional categories of librarianship and how they are reflected in our libraries. What has your library done to break free of the traditional categories of librarianship?

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OMG this is awesome.

It’s a cool book vending machine used in Portugal. Watch the video!

It seems really similar to Red Box, which I use a lot for DVDs. I love Red Box because it’s convenient (in the grocery store), cheap ($1/day) and totally easy. In sum, that makes it closer than the library, cheaper considering my fines, and more user friendly. And I’m sure the people waiting in line with me would agree.

So I really really love that the public library of Batalha, Portugal has been taking advantage of a similar produlct to promote library use! Bravo!

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I love this clip from Dexter’s Laboratory… too funny!

Do you know anyone who tends to act like a library tyrant whenever they get a chance? I do. Tell them to chill… what’s the big deal if patrons engage in “eye blinking” or if “Green Bacon and Eggs” is shelved wrong.

The moral to the Dexter video is one I’m sure we all know too well: Let go! Too much control will kill your library way faster than a little freedom will. Think of that the next time one of the Rules needs to be enforced.

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I came upon this video via Tame The Web’s post about it. Awesome.

Here are the top 5 things I love about this video.

1. Community: So I only counted three times the word “community” was actually used… but it is obvious that this is a community center reflecting Shirlngton’s unique flavor.
2. Art: I love how the art, including the artistic design and architecture of the building is featured. Way to make the library matter as both a space and a place! I also love how the focus on art includes “state of the art!”
3. Technology: The only scene featuring heavy shots of books is more about technology and patron empowerment than it is about books and reading.
4. Activity: This is such an active video! Everything from the camera work to the bustle of the patrons portrays the library as a living, breathing entity – an exciting place to be part of!
5. Priorities: This video and its dissemination was obviously important to the library and its administrators. Time, effort, and money were put into it as a priority in publicizing the library, along with its new library and ongoing mission.

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Louise at Librarian’s Rant posted this video highlighting the difficulty we sometimes encounter trying to do a seemingly simple thing (such as find Time Magazine) with our online resources.

She’s right - Web usability is such an important thing in our field. That’s why I’m so excited to be attending a Web usability worskhop the week after next by Steve Krug.

We spend so much to make our resources available… let’s work to make them truly accessible!

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(I love blogs that do multi-part series, so why not start right off with one of my own?)

Here’s an old chestnut that gets posted a lot by librarians – usually for a quick chuckle.

When I see this, though, I wonder if the clip isn’t closer to the mark on library service than we would often like to admit. How often do I talk with librarians and library staff who comment on the ridiculous (!) demands of those pesky patrons? (a lot!) They want this, they want that, can you believe the nerve? What do they think we’re here for… to serve them?? Don’t they know this is a library?

Consider it this way. Cookie Monster has obviously never been to the library before. He doesn’t know your rules or what the library has to offer him (most patrons or potential patrons don’t). His request for cookies isn’t all that outrageous – at least not to him. To CM, it’s a reasonable thing to ask. But Mr. Crankypants purple librarian about has a coronary over it. (Need I point out that in the first 30 seconds of the clip he has 1. tried to ignore cookie 2. yelled at him and 3. treated him condescendingly)

How hard would it be to make this potential new user happy? Maybe you don’t have any cookies on hand now, but what about thinking about adding a cookie element to your services? (I know I’d use that library!) What about exploring the idea that perhaps what the non-users in your target community are missing is cookie related? Would that make Cookie happy? Would it make his library experience worthwhile enough to come back and/or recommend the library to his other cookie loving friends?

I’m not suggesting we offer cookies to our patrons, although it would be a nice touch. But the next time someone comes in and asks for something you “don’t do,” why not consider it rather than dismissing it off hand? Ask ourselves why we don’t offer a service like that? What would it take? If there isn’t a legal or ethical reason for not doing it, why not at least consider finding a way to make it happen? Don’t just say no!

Think outside the box: Maybe a business partnership with the bakery down the street? We help them offer wireless internet access pointing to library services and send the cookie lovers down the street? The cross promotion might do wonders for both parties while helping the patron get the service they wanted.

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