‘Tis the season—for giving thanks and celebrating the harvest. Certainly the Information Sciences field is in the throes of a bountiful season. We have produced and begun to cultivate more information than we can possibly use in a lifetime. So now we devise ways of sharing and exchanging. (Anything sounding familiar yet?) If we could only just sit down at a long, laden table and “dish it out”. Of course we still must have our weapons ready for marauders and any other dangers to our space. And, we must store enough to maintain us through the “droughts” and “famines” and to give us a basis for sprouting more “information”. But for right now let’s just concentrate on those we will invite to the harvest celebration. Will it be only those who planted and toiled? Will it be just those who are a part of our settlement? Will we invite newcomers to the area? How about the wanderers and strangers? Our “enemies”?
Was the first Thanksgiving spontaneous or did careful thought go into the planning? What kind of thought and discussion has gone into your library’s plan to share the wealth of resources we have compiled in our community? This is a decision that tests our giving natures, our desire to educate, our sense of fairness and our civic responsibilities. Many questions arise concerning: ownership of information, definition of community, and partnership with other libraries. Some answers seem to be clear cut – some awfully murky.
We all agree that everyone should be able to come into our library and read our books, make use of maps, browse our magazines. Most libraries agree however, that without a library card, users cannot remove things from the library. We have a responsibility to the community to try and keep track of the resources -- so we need to know where you live.
What about the Internet access? What difference does it make who is using the computers -- don't we all like to check our email when out of town? However! In my library there are many computers, but many more computer users. Should the residents wait in line while others are using the facilities?
How about reference questions? Quickie questions are no problem -- but who gets to take advantage of the resources and personnel at the library for lengthier problems?
My first instinct is to be proud of the resources of our public library and want to share them. This is the age of "free information", yet those of us in the field know there is no such thing. We are paying for these services, through our tuitions, our taxes, our building fees. And those who are paying should receive quality service for their money. So, for now, we will have many pages of procedures, forms,"visitor stations" and other confusing bits that try to untangle this age of technology dilemma.
As for me, I hope to get the wishbone this Thanksgiving, so I can wish for a time when everyone is a part of a library district and everyone can be "served"!
Don't Lose These Links!
Butterball Hotline
http://www.butterball.com/en/main_canvas.jsp?includePage=holidayGuide_2006.jsp&t=Butterball%20Holiday%20Guide&s0=holidayGuide&s1=home
Memorable Quotes From A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068359/quotes
Psychiatric Help: Free For Students(Accepted and Dispersed)
I am so thankful for my teachers, coworkers, and fellow students who have challenged me to think about things in a different light. At least 50% of the time -- well, let's just say a woman has a right to change her mind!
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