In response to Away from Icebergs
Mr. Anderson poses three valid precautions for society rowing as fast as it can into the vast ocean of the library of the future. In addition to those icebergs, I would caution against these "waterspouts":
1. Throwing items overboard that are not needed immediately, but might save your life should you get stranded on a deserted island. Keeping collections "just in case" MAY come in handy when everyone else in the electronic world didnt bother to save it because was a "just in case" item. Also, just because it's not NEEDED doesnt mean it's not appreciated. Those rare book collections may eventually be "digitized" but what is the value of a book of paper and ink that can be held in one's hand?
2. Throwing passengers overboard because they are not able to keep up with the level of education needed to manipulate the Library 2.0. yes, that "one-click" feature so popular on flickr and other services, can be very enticing. But only a librarian alone in the library at 8:55pm with a 55 year old patron holding a mouse up, pointing it at the monitor and clicking it as if it were a remote control to a television, knows that no matter how SIMPLE you make it... it's still not simple enough for some people.
3. Throwing each other overboard. Librarians will go the way of the Milkman, Telephone booths, and typewriters......
The concept of Library 2.0 is a great tool, but I will hate the day that I cant walk into a library and find a room where the books are kept.
Mr. Anderson poses three valid precautions for society rowing as fast as it can into the vast ocean of the library of the future. In addition to those icebergs, I would caution against these "waterspouts":
1. Throwing items overboard that are not needed immediately, but might save your life should you get stranded on a deserted island. Keeping collections "just in case" MAY come in handy when everyone else in the electronic world didnt bother to save it because was a "just in case" item. Also, just because it's not NEEDED doesnt mean it's not appreciated. Those rare book collections may eventually be "digitized" but what is the value of a book of paper and ink that can be held in one's hand?
2. Throwing passengers overboard because they are not able to keep up with the level of education needed to manipulate the Library 2.0. yes, that "one-click" feature so popular on flickr and other services, can be very enticing. But only a librarian alone in the library at 8:55pm with a 55 year old patron holding a mouse up, pointing it at the monitor and clicking it as if it were a remote control to a television, knows that no matter how SIMPLE you make it... it's still not simple enough for some people.
3. Throwing each other overboard. Librarians will go the way of the Milkman, Telephone booths, and typewriters......
The concept of Library 2.0 is a great tool, but I will hate the day that I cant walk into a library and find a room where the books are kept.
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