Bernie Sloan said:
> Doctors and librarians play very different roles (some differences
> are more obvious than others). A physician is alleged to be an
> "expert" in his/her field. We go to a physician more or less looking
> for the one right answer to our question/problem. The physician prescribes a
> solution.
>
> The role of the librarian is quite different (other than with
> straightforward ready-reference questions). People come to the librarian with a
> question, often in an area where the librarian is not an "expert".
> The librarian usually recommends a number of sources as well as suggestions for
> further research. The librarian does not "prescribe" a solution to
> the question/problem. The librarian gives the user information that hopefully
> will help the user determine his or her own solution.
The same thing happens with doctors as well: a general practitioner does his or her best, and when necessary, suggests a specialist. Librarians *should* do the same thing: handle what they can, but then pass things on to others as necessary when something is outside their area of expertise. Librarians specialize too.
The possibilities for handing off questions outside your own expertise are really amazing today. IM sessions or Skype calls could be set up between one of my students in Rome and an expert economics librarian in the U.S. Databases of experts could be built that all librarians can use ("cataloging" people), so that we can find out who the experts are and how we can get into touch with them.
If we assume that any system we need can be built, the main task becomes the need for everyone to cooperate in all sorts of ways, and to focus on expanding our imaginations. But it will mean significant change for us and our institutions, and it won't be done overnight.
Jim Weinheimer
Received on Sun Sep 09 2007 - 03:36:12 EDT