On Thu, 18 Aug 2011, James Weinheimer wrote:
> I don't see why we cannot attack on several fronts at once.
Amen. Note also that the catalog is only one of many *interrelated*
approaches possible. To think about the catalog requires thinking about
the relevance of catalogs and cataloging as well.
> it is becoming increasingly necessary to try to seize people's
> imaginations
Particularly those of the "electorate" that influences the politicians
budgeting, or willing to not budget, the publicly funded libraries.
> demonstrate that we are ahead of the curve, or at least, capable of
> it.
Do we even know what the "curve" is?
> The local catalog can be so much more than the local catalog
And the local library can be so much more than the catalog or the
collection.
And, of course, collaborating library networks can be so much more than
the local library and even the [shudder] media.
> but it will take quite a bit of ingenuity--starting *now* because events
> are showing that time may be running short.
Perhaps catalogers could list and analyze [catalog] those time-shortening
events as a foundation for deliberation.
> the newer, more novel, powers of a catalog
Just as soon as such technologies that one expects to define libraries are
established, they become obsolete. Catalogers need to discover new
applications of their skills beyond the catalog, or change the catalog to
be more relevant than an index, and certainly less provincial.
> enforcement of standards ... will take some time to implement
Let's put some effort into examining the concepts of "enforcement" and
"standards." They are becoming more part of problems than of solutions.
Note a *naturally* reoccurring trend: standards are either open to
interpretation or too rigid, and tend to encourage their own
dismissal.
> the major part of the information world is moving away faster and faster
> from our traditional tools and methods.
Would that be true only of that part of the information world that is
comprised of tools and data-recovery methods, or is there something more
basic about the changing information world that is making traditional
expectations obsolete?
> ... suggestions ... on another level ... would make a difference in how
> people really view libraries and librarians.
Amen again.
> If we could demonstrate that we could supply services that people openly
> say that they want and need, budgets would cease to be the incredible
> problem they are now
There are some dangers in that: people don't generally know what they
really need, and what they say they want (like no taxes, no government,
more entertainment) isn't necessarily compatible with the funding of
library catalogs.
One thing that might be compatible with modern wants and needs is a
flexible, intelligent catalog that can constantly adjust itself relative
to public input.
Let's go one step further and talk about supplying innovative services
that people and the society need, which might just be a step ahead of what
people are being trained to want.
> More than anything else, libraries need a real success they can point to.
It's hard to sell a static catalog, collection, or library, or a staid
librarian, as having value at a time when only participative, influential,
assertive activity has any value to people in general. Still, recognition
of events taking place outside the library doors makes pursuing
universally understandable "success" rather an open book.
Cheers!
jgm
John G. Marr
Cataloger
CDS, UL
Univ. of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
jmarr_at_unm.edu
jmarr_at_flash.net
**There are only 2 kinds of thinking: "out of the box" and "outside
the box."
Opinions belong exclusively to the individuals expressing them, but
sharing is permitted.
Received on Thu Aug 18 2011 - 13:31:41 EDT