On 01/08/2011 14:23, Joe Hourcle wrote:
<snip>
> It's not enough to build it. If you want people to know about it, you
> need outreach. Yes, it's basically advertising, but libraries spend a
> lot of money on electronic databases and stuff that people don't know
> about and so don't use. I've gotten my local public library to put
> signs up in the relevant sections -- attached to the shelf for car
> care manuals is a sign telling people that the full range of manuals
> is available online, etc.
</snip>
I completely agree, when we build the experimental catalog(s), they must
also be demonstrated in such a way that everyone sees clearly that these
new tools can help them and are better than what they are using now.
That will be a very difficult proposition, since we cannot just believe
that "if we build it, they will come". No, they won't--they must know
about it first and this is not a simple task.
Unfortunately, the library community is focused on providing the FRBR
user tasks, which are just not relevant to the needs of modern users.
The FRBR user tasks however, *are* relevant to other library work, but
the users want something else. This is why I mentioned in a previous
posting: "perfecting the irrelevant."
The information industry is researching what users want very deeply and
experimenting like crazy to provide them with what they want. Once
again, libraries have a special place in the hearts of many in the
public, and it would be great to capitalize on those good feelings, but
I don't know how long they will last now.
--
James Weinheimer weinheimer.jim.l_at_gmail.com
First Thus: http://catalogingmatters.blogspot.com/
Cooperative Cataloging Rules: http://sites.google.com/site/opencatalogingrules/
Received on Mon Aug 01 2011 - 09:35:39 EDT