On Jan 6, 2008, at 6:02 PM, B.G. Sloan wrote:
> OK...so how do we move from talking to creating? How do we as a
> group overcome the inertia and stop talking things to death? We've
> been doing that for 18 months now (i.e., NGC4LIB is 18 months old).
>
> How do we get some innovation started? (Not a rhetorical question)
Above are two separate questions.
First, IMHO, to move from talking to creating we need to understand
that we have only discussed 1/3 of the problem -- description/
organization. A library "catalog" contains "stuff". What is that
stuff? This is a topic centering on collections which has been sorely
lacking here. Is it only stuff we own? It is stuff we own and license?
What are the qualities and characteristics of the stuff in the
"catalog" Second, to think that a library "catalog" should only
support search is anemic. What are you going to do with the stuff once
you find it? I suppose you want to read it, duh, but what else? Get
it. Annotate it. Review it. Compare & contrast it. Extract all of its
images. Cite it. Purchase it. Add it to a personal list. These are
issues of public... services, and these issues have not been discussed
here either. This list's discussion is not balanced, yet.
Second, innovation does not happen across a large group of people such
as this mailing list or a profession. Innovation is an intimate and
creative process sprouting from the work of self-motivated individuals
and small groups. To foster innovation on the issue of "next
generation" library catalogs, all that is needed time and commitment
to change. Everybody on this list is empowered in this regard.
Identify the problem. Brainstorm solutions. In a small, inexpensive
way gather together the resources (time, talent, stuff, etc.)
necessary to create prototypes. Understand that many prototypes will
be necessary before the best solution presents itself. It will not be
perfect the first time, and it is not a waste of time to try and try
again. When you do have a solution in place, then rest for a bit and
return to Step #1 -- identify the problem. Innovation is a never-
ending process.
P.S. Regarding innovation. It does not hurt when leadership/
administration expressly blesses the innovation process. It is not
necessary but it does make things easier.
--
Eric Lease Morgan
Head, Digital Access and Information Architecture Department
University Libraries of Notre Dame
Received on Mon Jan 07 2008 - 07:35:42 EST