Library’s Value

I agree that the library’s value should be separated into “monetary value” and “community-enhancing value.” While I think that both of those areas of value are important, I think perhaps the “community-enhancing value” is a more important measure. However, I do realize that libraries cannot survive without having a monetary measure.

I also agree that the library’s value can be measured by the services that the library offers to the community. Promoting the various services is a key part in being able to accurately measure the “community-enhanced value.” I agree that both library administrators and librarians should take an active role in the promotion of library services. In the library where I work, the special events or services that we offer (story time, summer reading programs, computer classes, etc.) are promoted through the local newspapers, the library’s website, and the children’s librarian going to the schools.

It is essential that libraries and librarians know what services the community desires. Being able to provide statistics of the number of services and who participates or takes advantage of them is a way to measure and show that the library is providing a valuable service to the community.

Information Economy

Libraries offer information sources and provide information services for library patrons. The value of this service of providing information can possibly be measured (calculated) in several ways.
One way is to find out from the patrons whether or not the information that the library provided them was helpful and if they (the patron) found the information for which they were looking. A second was to measure (calculate) is by the number of information services that the library provides for patrons. Included in that could be how the information service is provided. For example, the library could have information available on the library’s web site and available in the library itself. A third way to measure (calculate) is by keeping track of what information is used and how often it is used. This can be done by knowing what is asked for by the patron.
In the process of measuring and providing information services, libraries and librarians should find out what information the public (patrons) want. In doing this, the value of the information services provided will be higher because the library is meeting the needs and expectations of their patrons.

My LIS 2600 Home Page

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www.pitt.edu/~gjs28/index.html.html

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Scopus-Bloglines Assignment

Electronic vs. Print Version Part 3 Conclusion - Blog for 6/9/07

In conclusion to the electronic vs. print version of information, digitization is a good way to save space and makes information more widely available. However, the companies and journals that digitize the information should make it easier for the people to print a copy if they desire. Libraries should perhaps consider this to when they are considering digitizing material. They should either keep a hard copy on hand or make the electronic copy printable.

Electronic vs. Print Version Part 2 - Blog for 6/8/07

In following up on my last entry, I think that journals, books, and other information should be easily printed. In other words, a printer friendly version should be available. I have printed out many pages of information that have had words and sentences cut off. I have since started copying and pasting the information into a Word document if there is no printer friendly option. However, I have had to help many patrons in the library where I work figure out how to print information. Patrons do not always know how to copy and paste into a Word document until I show them. While I do not mind assisting patrons, I think it would be better for the patrons if there was a printer friendly option.

Electronic vs. Print version Part 1 - Blog for 6/7/07

The idea of having journals, books, and other information that was once in paper form digitized and put on the Web is basically a good idea. However, when I and find an article online that I like or find pertains to an area that I am studying, I print it out. I still prefer to read the printed words compared to reading the words online. I find that this is easier on my eyes and my concentration lasts longer. Even though I know that I am most likely wasting paper by printing out an article that I may only read once, I feel that I get more out of the printed article compared to reading the article online.

Contoversy over Increased Technology in Libraries - Posting for 6/2/07

The idea of increased technology and its impact on libraries and librarians has been of interest to me lately.

There is a controversy over how much information (books, newspapers, magazines, etc.) should be accessible through a library's website. One concern about this was made by Andrew Brown who writes for a British newspaper The Guardian. In an article by Judith M. Umbach entitled "Librarians Online" on the Canadian Library Association's website, Brown "fears for libraries because technology increasingly makes available electronically what used to be printed material... and fears for authors because materials on the web are usually free to readers." Brown concludes "that the most valuable role for libraries in the electronic age is for libraries to pay for the right to distribute electronic texts...."

The other side to this controversy is that patrons can have access to resources 24 hours a day 7 days a week without having to go to the library. In an article in the New York Times by Patricia Weiss entitled "A Public Library in the Palm of Your Hand" states that libraries in Connecticut experimented with e-books. The participating public libraries allowed patrons to virtually check out books via the Internet and download them to their computer for 24 hours.

I think that there should be information available to everyone on the Internet through a library's website. However, libraries should have to pay a fee for this information so that it is fair to the authors of the resource.

The Changing Role of Librarians - Posting for 6/1/07

The job of librarians today goes beyond the checking out, checking in, and shelving of books. Librarians now must have a basic knowledge of computers. This is because the card catalogue is not on the computer, and patrons request help with the computers in the library. Librarians must now have the knowledge to access online databases to assist patrons a long with finding books for the patron.
In addition to needing to know about online databases, librarians need to know about the latest technology that is constantly changing. Patrons expect librarians to know how to access information on the Internet and how to download music. These changes require training for librarians, particularly those who have been in libraries for a long time (prior to computerization).
Librarians also need to understand that more and more students look to the computer (Internet) not only for entertainment, but for information for reports. Perhaps the biggest change that librarians have to accept is that students come into the library to access the Internet (MySpace) instead of coming in to read and check out books.
Another change for librarians is that registration for library cards, checking books in and out is all computerized. In some libraries, patrons can register for a library card online. Patrons can renew and request books from home or work through the Internet. Some libraries are even offering self check out.
Even though much of the traditional role of a librarian has changed, librarians and libraries are a necessary component of society. Librarians should not be afraid that their jobs are going to be replaced by computers because there is always a need for human intervention in serving the public. Librarians have to come to accept that books, magazines, and newspapers are not the only source of media that patrons are interested in or expect libraries (librarians) to offer.

Professional Associations - Blog for 5/31/07

I visited the American Library Association’s website and the Public Library Association’s website.
I learned from the ALA website that in the United States there are more than 117,000 libraries. I read about the history of the ALA and how the association works. It was interesting to find out that “Its membership is open to ‘any person, library, or other organization interested in library service and librarianship…’.” An ALA council is elected and makes the policies. There is also an Executive Board that “acts for the Council in the administration of established policies and programs.”
From the PLA website I learned that it is a division of ALA. The core values of the PLA are similar to my personal values as an employee of the Somerset County Public Library System in Maryland. “The PLA Core Values are: Provides visionary leadership ever open to new ideas; dedicated to lifelong learning; focused on and responsive to member needs; committed to a free and open exchange of information and active collaboration; respects diversity of opinion and community needs; and committed to excellence and innovation.”
The ALA is a professional organization that I am considering joining. In navigating the ALA website, I discovered that they have a Student Membership for $28 per year. The student membership is limited to “five years from the first time you become a Student Member.”

LIS 2600 Posting for 5/26/07 Observations

I have a personal interest in the first part of the book Double Fold by Nicholson Banks. I have been "weeding" a lot of material since becoming Branch Manager at Corbin Memorial Library in Somerset County Maryland. This includes newspapers, magazines, books, etc.

I am finding it kind of humorous reading Banks' comments on getting rid of material.

LIS 2600 Posting for 5/23/07 - RSS

The information about RSS and how it works was interesting to learn about. I have not had experience with RSS before, and the "7 things you should know about...RSS was very informative. By using RSS in the future, I will be able to get news and other information faster than I did before discovering RSS.