[Publib] Brief and possibly muddled meditation on

[Kathleen Stipek]

There is a secret Administrative Fad Newsletter published in a
undisclosed location somewhere in (I suspect) the Northeast.  It has
multiple editions, covering pretty much every human endeavor.  They
supply salesbeings from Big Hardware and Big Software with the necessary
$ to ply administrators at ALA and similar gatherings with strong
waters, flattery, fancy dinners, etc., and also provide scripts for
inducing gadget envy in these big kahunas so that by they time they
return home, they have signed off on the acquisition of some untested
gadgetry just so X at Pumpkin Centre Public Library or Y from Pumpkin
Centre Tech won't be the first first adopter in the neighborhood.  I
think that it is time that we pooled our collective information
resources, found this place, and found a way to demolish it down to its
constituent quarks.  Then, perhaps, hardware and software would be
purchased on merit and utility rather than being the Next Big Thing.
 
Kathleen Stipek

Alachua County Library District

401 East University Avenue

Gainesville, Florida 32601

352-334-3931  (fax) 352-334-3948

 

     --Non, merci.

       Cyrano de Bergerac


________________________________

From: James Casey [mailto:jcasey at oaklawnlibrary.org] 
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 10:46 AM
To: 's shoar'; Kathleen Stipek; suekamm at mindspring.com;
jrichmond at alphapark.org; publib at webjunction.org; tcooper at wgpl.org
Subject: RE: RE: [Publib] Brief and possibly muddled meditation on



Shahin makes a good point.   We have to mix and match automated,
self-serve solutions with the best elements of personal service.   The
public's appreciation of personalized service was emphasized in the
focus groups we held back in 2004 in preparation for our Long Range
Plan.  Yet, everyone is busy and wants the kind of empowerment that
Shahin notes.  --- What we have to avoid at all costs are sweeping,
radical solutions such as installing "XYZ Automated System" at a cost of
$200,000 and immediately laying off or eliminating several positions in
order to cut costs sufficient to pay for the innovation.   Sales reps
have tried to push such "comprehensive business solutions" in the past
and I have seen some of my library administrator colleagues grab on to
them "lock, stock and barrel".   

 

 

James B. Casey - My own views

Director of Oak Lawn Public Library

ALA Council Member

 

 

 

 

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of s shoar
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 10:03 AM
To: kstipek at aclib.us; suekamm at mindspring.com; jrichmond at alphapark.org;
publib at webjunction.org; tcooper at wgpl.org
Subject: Re: RE: [Publib] Brief and possibly muddled meditation on

 


Self Service is not to replace personal service but to augment it.  Even
grocery stores have not done away with their conventional check out
settings;  libraries should not either.  However, I know for a fact that
self service is a very much appreciated option for many patrons.  It
imparts a sense of empowerment  and control over one's privacy and time.
At the same time these very patrons are to be assured that when they
prefer the human touch it is available to them.  Self checkout for
instance beats having to wait in long lines on a Friday or Saturday
evening when you want to get home and do other fun stuff.  

Self-Service and traditional library service should not be mutually
exclusive.

 

Shahin Shoar

Upper Arlington Public Library







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