Weinheimer Jim wrote:
> Jimmy Ghaphery wrote:
> <snip>
> I am not pining for the old days of the library as a place for silent
> and rigorous contemplation, but do think there is a connection beyond
> those crazy kids dancing in the library these days and the direction of
> the catalog.
> </snip>
>
> I am pining for those old days. In so many ways, I remember the library as a place where I could find peace, and where there great minds who were never demanding but were there when I wanted and needed them. In many ways, I have always felt it was in a library where I really became a human being. (thoughts on a a reflective Friday)
>
I don't see how you cna not have the old days and the new days. Here at
Binghamton we have a variety of places for students to study. Some are
very quiet and traditional, some are loud(er) and full of computers.
Obviously this may not be possible in very small libraries, but most
libraries can be set up this way. Different people have different
learning styles, and libraries should do the best to accommodate as many
of them as they can.
To tie this into catalog, I think of this the same way. There should not
be a one-catalog fits all mentality. Some people may like a traditional
catalog where you choose things liek searching subject or title and get
liner results, some may like a fancy relevance ranked catalog with lots
of facets and tag clouds to click on. When possible we should offer more
choices.
Edward
> I remember that in my research in the history of the Princeton Library, I ran across a story in the student newspaper of the 1880s or so, that mentioned that the librarian (who looked like a whaling captain, by the way!), ended up literally *throwing* two students out of the library because they were arguing too loudly about predestination!
>
> I guess those days are gone.
>
> James L. Weinheimer j.weinheimer_at_aur.edu
> Director of Library and Information Services
> The American University of Rome
> Rome, Italy
>
Received on Fri Dec 11 2009 - 11:50:00 EST