Awesome. Just Awesome.

Saw this gem on the blog NeverEndingSearch.
It is an entertaining vignette on the value of print resources. May they never be forgotten amid the ebb and flow of all the wonderful, useful, engaging new informational technologies out there!

I had to share.
 

A few remarks in response to Seth Godwin's latest...

On a recommendation from my administrator, I read this blog post.

A short time later I read a rebuttal (thanks to the suggestion of a colleague).

Then I did what I love doing best...I thought about it all for a little while.

After that, I had a few comments of my own that I wrote down.

Here they are, for anyone who cares to read them.

Godwin has some good points that mainly focus on the rate of change in libraries (and his arguments are tailored to public libraries, not academic, school, or corporate ones). I agree that materials- and method of access-shift will happen and sometimes needs to happen sooner. 

I agree with the theory that ebook readers will be almost free relatively soon. However, his argument that ebooks are getting cheaper is weak - yes, some are, but others are getting more expensive. Which others you say? The new releases! Which are, of course, the books readers need and want and clamber for.  They do get cheaper a few weeks or months after release (which offers an excellent lesson in how patience pays off). I just spent $16+ on an ebook that I've been wanting for a couple of weeks.  That is the most I've ever spent on any ebook.  I expect to see this trend continue. As for users  in the LS library (as with any other student library or public library), kids don't want to wait too long for the newest/latest/greatest book. Like healthy food, they need fresh books, and lots of variety. That is never cheap.
If I want cheap books (for the library or me personally) they are available, but they are either:
•    pirated (not my style - I try to keep up with my karma. I am sure I am not the only person who prefers to pay for their products rather than steal them)
•    poorly formatted (I've tried to read some classics that were atrociously formatted, ugh.)
•    older releases (which, again, offers that excellent lesson that patience pays off, but sometimes you need to have it sooner, rather than later).

His post does not mention the market for textbooks, magazine & news subscriptions, etc (which are NOT cheap, considering their digital nature and therefore lack of serious expense in duplicating).  This may be an area that public libraries start making for use of - magazine & newspaper subscriptions on ipads, ebook readers, or other tablets: easier to archive (preserves archival quality, too), easier for a user to check out multiple periodicals, etc.

I disagree with his argument that libraries are or were merely "warehouses" of books, though.  That's kind of like saying a pharmacy is a warehouse for medicine. Without the actions of a doctor and a pharmacist, a pharmacy is useless or dangerous. Libraries are the same way. They are only as good as the combination of their materials, climate, and their people. I agree that library usage will look different as it evolves over time, especially considering the format and types of materials available. But assuming that just because the same or similar materials are available outside the library does not diminish the usefulness of the library and its staff.  Librarians (all: public, school, academic, corporate) are teachers to their users, detectives for their clients, and sometimes therapists, too. The human connection (backed by the education of the librarian trained to be that connection) can not be automated.


Bobbi Newman's response to Godwin's post makes an excellent point about information use. She reminds us that not all information is equal and libraries (and librarians) offer access (and guidance for usage) to vetted information sources - which are getting more expensive (according to Newman; I've not researched this assumption, but it makes some sense to me).  Godwin would have us all using Wikipedia for research. I believe that Wikipedia has gotten the format for information dead-on correct (multiple nodes within articles with massive links to related articles) and that companies such as WORLD BOOK need to reorganize their databases like Wikipedia, but Wikipedia remains an nonpeer-reviewed source (even with its valiant attempts to seek accuracy and information validation by professionals). As I tell my 5th graders...any fool with a computer can publish. Any fool. And in an environment like Wikipedia, any other fool can post to say "Yes this is accurate" when it isn't. Don't get me wrong. I like and use Wikipedia. I just double check my information against another (vetted) source, too.  I hope that someday Wikipedia or some other userbased, free information source will be what Wikipedia is trying to be now, but I don't think it is there quite yet.

This idea of information quality and access makes me think of class wars and socioeconomic divisions. The simplistic expectation is that poor people will use the free source and rich people will use the pay-for databases (either through their own subscriptions or college/university/private school/corporate subscriptions). Wouldn't that create an "information quality gap"? If public dollars fund public libraries (and therefore vetted, accurate, "quality" information), the playing field is leveled. All a user needs to do to improve/add-to their knowledge is get to the library (and in some places, they even have help for that) or log in from home (again, not everyone can do that, but if they can get to the library, access is guaranteed).

I'm glad someone as high-profile as Godwin is interested in and writing about libraries; he seems to be pro-library/librarian. What I don't appreciate are his assumptions about how librarians feel about certain things. If he did some research and has data to back up his comments, he should share it. If he doesn't have any data to back up his comments, he should be quiet. Seriously. I am not telling him how he feels as a marketer, am I?  I do love his vision of a library where kids can do more than read...taking apart stuff and using soldering irons to make stuff and teaching classes on hobbies just for fun? Right on. Fun makes that world go 'round, right? Isn't "work" that is healthy and engaging and inspires the worker to be driven and productive supposed to feel like "fun"? I always thought so. I have the most fun at work when I am deep into designing and teaching a unit I believe will better my students, or when I am lost in collection development (again, to offer the best choices to my students).  If libraries are a conduit to learning, entertainment, personal and professional development, then "fun" should definitely be in the catalog.


My $0.02. I hope it wasn't too rambling. 

El Biblioburro: Serious dedication to the craft and the cause!

I read this article on CNN's website. I am humbled by his work and inspired by his example.  I became an educator & librarian because I felt it my mission work in life to promote the intellectual pursuits of others, to help grow a literate population that made choices using critical thinking, and to spread love of story wherever I went and to all I encountered. At the core of all this is my belief that humans must be free to make their own choices and that freedom comes from education (which can take many forms, not just going to college/university).

Luis Soriano demonstrates the essence of passion for a pursuit of education and freedom.

There is an email address at the bottom of the article. I am contemplating offering to help his work with either books or cash. Unfortunately, all the used books I could give him are in English; I wonder if he would want any? I know that in many Spanish speaking nations, learning English is as asset.

Letter to Amazon.com Customer Service

[update after letter - 2-17-2010]

Hello,
I want to voice an opinion about Amazon's policy of not allowing customers to re-download MP3s (and UnBox videos? I think?) that have been purchased. I hope that Amazon will seriously consider changing this policy. I find it very frustrating that I can re-download my purchases made in the itunes store (go Apple!) but not from Amazon (of whom I am a huge fan, and a decent client).

I have to give Amazon major kudos for the way Kindle material is made so easily accessible. I also have a NOOK (professional interest - I am a librarian) and can honestly and professionally say that you guys are doing the better job. The Kindle is simpler to use, easy to re-download, easier access to dictionary, backing-up-of-library indefinitely, launches ebooks faster that the Nook. The Nook may improve (or grow on me) but until both of those things happen: Kindle. Is. My. Hero.

However. This block against re-downloading other digital material has made it a matter of personal (and professional - I am responsible for all the purchasing of a small school library with a generous materials budget) financial policy that I will no longer make any digital purchases that do not allow a re-download option. While I am just one person expressing this frustration and action to Amazon, I am sure there are many more like me out there.

You could offer the analogy of purchasing a good old-fashioned paper & binding book: of course it has no "re-download" option. That is a completely different medium, though, and would require human effort and raw materials to reproduce. Digital material requires precious little of that, if any at all.

I have referenced [included in original correspondence] a purchase of mine as one example of music that I'd love to download again. Yes, you recommended that a back-up be made. That is not the point I am trying to make though. Had I purchased the same music from Apple's iTunes store, I would never need to make a back-up. As a consumer - that is a better investment.


Yours Sincerely,
Laura M. B. Hines, M.Ed; MLIS

2-14-2010 Update: Amazon usually gets back to me within a day or so after I email a query to them. I haven't heard any kind of response yet. I wonder if that means anything at all.

2-17-2010

Amazon got back to me with the following reply. I am glad to see they will make exception to their policy in some cases, and also glad they say they are paying attention to feedback such as mine. Whether that will ultimately translate into a better policy in general, who knows?

Hello from Amazon.com.

From your email, I understand your frustration.

Please note that Amazon MP3 files are only available for download at the time of purchase. We display information about the items you've purchased from the Amazon MP3 Music Downloads store in Your Media Library so you can keep track of what you've bought and discover similar items that may be available. However, the files are not stored there and cannot be downloaded again after purchase.

Because you can only download an MP3 file once upon purchase, we encourage you to make back-up copies of your MP3 Music files to ensure you will always have access.

However, we do exception to this policy and provide access to the MP3 downloads lost due to hard drive crash or other reasons.

Moreover, I've passed your feedback along to the Amazon MP3 Music team. It is always important for us to hear how customers react to all aspects of shopping at Amazon.com. Strong customer feedback like yours helps us continue to improve the selection and service we provide, and we appreciate the time you took to write to us.

If you have any issues with your MP3 downloads, please do let us know. We'll be happy to help you troubleshoot further. Please visit the following link to provide the information we
requested:

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

I enjoyed this delightful romp through the angst ridden terrain of southern gothic romance and high school. As yet another fantasy-meets-real-world adolescent adventure, it is a good addition to any YA library collection.

Kindle2 Love Affair

My Kindle2 arrived Friday. It came several days earlier than Amazon said it would, those sweethearts.

I am completely in love with it, except when it won't download things the way it says it is supposed to.

Our first night together went very smoothly.
I shopped, I Click-ed, I downloaded, very quietly (it's called WhisperNet, right?).

But later, love turned to jealousy and the endearing little machine refused to work for my husband, who had found a new Stephen King title he wanted. This one, UR, was made *just* for Kindle, I was told. He shopped, he I-Click-ed, he tried to download. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

Perhaps the Kindle is not in favor of my husband pawing it the way I do. Perhaps it is prudish.

Perhaps it just doesn't like Stephen King (not everyone does, you know, and that is fine).

Oh, wait. My bad. Perhaps it just needs a re-boot. :)

Oh how I would love to go a-conferencing...

I'd very much like to attend the ACRL conference in Seattle this March, but, reality being what it is, I have neither the professional leave needed to travel there from the east coast nor the financial requirements (boo! hiss!! bad economy!) available to me to go.

All is not lost, though! The ACRL, in its infinite wisdom and creative planning, has made it possible to attend a Virtual Conference via: social networking sites like FaceBook, podcasts, blogs, webcasts, and the online virtual world SecondLife.

I may get to go to the ball, after all, wicked step-mother, oops, I mean, failing economy!

Want to (virtually) go? Check this out:

The Reference Interview - or Guide to Life

One of the skills learned in library school is how to conduct a reference interview. This consists of me (the librarian) helping you (the patron) figure out what it is you want and need that the library has or can find or can lead you to.

I believe this skill should be taught to children in grade school. It is an empathetic exercise in listening to another person with the sole intent of helping them gain access to what they need. In doing this, both the interviewer and the interviewee learn (or practice) the art of asking questions.

What is a "librarianaut"?

A librarianaut is one well versed in the ways of the library.
A librarianaut can be your guide when traversing vast oceans and continents of information.
A librarianaut, like an astronaut, is a traveler and adventurer; a thrill seeker unable to be sated with mundane life.

I confess.

I made up the word.

But it fits.