Re: [Ha-Safran] Information business
Personally, I think that people might be turned off from libraries by the attitude the OCLC is displaying. Is there going to be a run of library theme products? Are they afraid of Dewey World, instead of Disney? I don't believe in taking advantage of others' hard work, intellectual property, etc., but it seems libraries could always use more positive PR. Shira Sussman Chgo, IL == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
Re: [Ha-Safran] Information business
Hi, not directly related to Andrea's question, and there is extensive discussion and writing on the topic in other fields, yet related to a discussion of the library in a democracratic society, to the imparting of knowledge and wisdom as Dan has put forth to us, we could take a look at literature in the cognitive sciences, the literature of cognitive growth and development in humans. Cognitive faculties are influenced by a variety of conditions internal and external, by relationships as well as by data and details, by the inner and ongoing developments of cognitive faculties not defined solely by the acquisition and trading of information and data. So I'd add a slim volume of Duckworth on Piaget here if not the original works themselves. And something on good tea, too! (smiling) L'shana tova v'ahavah Chana == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [Ha-Safran] Information business
Dan, This is an enjoyable and thought-provoking exchange of views - a phenomenon that doesn't happen often enough. For your active defense of tradition and an earlier and simpler life, you are to be commended. Even if I disagree. Ted == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [Ha-Safran] Information business
Thanks, Eli, for an erudite and thought-provoking response. But, I do have a couple of caveats (You thought I woudn't?!). You say, It is about time that we present ourselves using current terminology. You also say, We should feel comfortable using those terms because they accurately describe our duties and functions. I'm afraid I'm not that much of a pragmatist. As I have attempted to make clear, I don't object to modern technology, per se, but I do object when the use of that technology leads to a change in our perception of exactly what the nature of our work may be, and much more basically the exact nature of the world of which we are among the guides. Those who use that terminology clearly do not do so in a neutral way. I still remember a friend and colleague at another institution, who said that as soon as someone invented the wheel, our relationship to the ground changed. That is philosophy, not neutral terminology. Academic librarians have struggled for years against the perception that they are simply glorified secretaries (My apologies to all secretaries, for whom I have the highest respect; I am only repeating what others have said.). I don't want us to give the ignorant even more ammunition to use against us. It's bad enough that too many administrators see technology as a means of speading up production, and see additional advanced degrees only as a means of making the library look better in the eyes of the public. In one way I am a pragmatist. I will use just about any technology available so long as it does what I want it to do. I'm not particularly concerned about adopting it just because the rest of the world thinks I should. And, yes we do still have a card catalog here, with an active manual shelf list, but we also have an online catalog, full internet connections, and a wide variety of both electronic and printed resources. We use what works for us and what fits our budget. Best, Dan Rettberg [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [Ha-Safran] Information business
Thanks, Ted. I'ld like to thank you and everyone else who has written in response to one or another point. I believe we are at our best as an organization and on this list when we are discussing such issues. So, where are the rest of our friends and colleagues out in Virtual Land? Let's hear from more Safranim on these issues. Best, Dan [EMAIL PROTECTED] == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
