Thursday, August 20, 2009

Libraries of the Future

I'm heading out for a couple weeks' vacation. I have *so many things* lined up for this blog, but alas it will have to wait. In the meantime, here is an interesting video (running just over 9 minutes) about what the future of libraries will be, put together by JISC in the UK. Which side do you fall on--will we have librarians in the future?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the question isn't whether there will be librarians but, as the video rightly explores, in what capacities librarians of the future will operate. The comments in the video summarize it pretty well. Although advances in technology will obviate some of the librarian's responsibility for finding information for people, we still don't have the technology to replace other valuable services. Computers are very good at finding information but not as good at classifying information according to human relationships (although Google can get eerily close at times). Librarians will always be around to classify information and, more importantly, work with programmers to design new information systems and technology.

Connie Crosby said...

Hi Ben: That's pretty much my take on it as well. People mistakenly think it is all the machine, but they don't realize we are often the ones setting up the databases or negotiating the licenses for the online services so they can get into them. We're often also the ones evaluating those services and keeping track of whether they do what they say they do.

Will this becoming an increasing problem, then, for librarians? How do we therefore show our worth if no one sees us?

Maria said...

Hey Connie,

you´reright, I agree with your opinion!
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