I never said "what the user wants." I said it "MUST start with the
user." Those are not the same thing much of the time. One thing that
librarians, at least reference librarians, do well is figuring out what
the user needs if we are given the chance. I have yet to see a
"traditional" library catalog that gives the user what they really need
much of the time. User focused design is not dumbing down it is
changing the focus from the needs of the librarian to the needs of the
user, perceived and real.
Bill Drew
-----Original Message-----
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries
[mailto:NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu] On Behalf Of Rinne, Nathan (ESC)
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 11:00 AM
To: NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu
Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] What library patrons really want. Was: RE:
[NGC4LIB] Death by enhancement: was WorldCat Local
Bill Drew said:
"I agree with Karen. It MUST all start with the user."
As someone who observes here often, allow me a philosophical rant of
sorts:
Here's the problem with this as I see it: What if what the majority of
our users want is simply "more, easy, fast, and fun". Are there any
long-term consequences for these kinds of attitudes? What about social
responsibility on our part? And what about the minority that has the
education, means, and desire to still really suck it up and perhaps do
some serious research - to find what we know aren't always easy answers
(simply Google-style "information quick")
Received on Fri Apr 27 2007 - 09:07:37 EDT