My concern whenever I see people talking about "what the patrons really wants" is how do we know what the patron REALLY wants. I think reference librarians can do a good job of determining an individual user's needs at that given moment. However, the needs of the user shift over time and from person to person. Too often we head off designing for some "need" based on an anecdote from the reference desk, instead of really putting some work into finding out what the user is trying to accomplish. Similarly, the vendors head off to design for some quirky need of some big client they are trying to entice.
We also need to keep in mind what we are defining as our role as the library and librarians. What user goals is it the responsibility of the library to meet? (Looking for treatment options for a patient? Writing a paper for a class? Reading the latest Harry Potter?) Also, how has the library defined its role in assisting their users in meeting their goals? (Providing research services? Teaching students research skills? Getting people the latest Harry Potter, etc.). To further complicate things, the answers to those questions are going to vary from library to library and the systems they need to support them in meeting those goals are going to be different.
----- Original Message ----
From: "Drew, Bill" <drewwe_at_MORRISVILLE.EDU>
To: NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 11:13:16 AM
Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] What library patrons really want. Was: RE: [NGC4LIB] Death by enhancement: was WorldCat Local
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 - 10:50:27 EDT