In the last few months, the Chippewa Falls Public Library has made some changes--mostly cosmetic--that have turned out to be more popular than I would have thought they'd be. We moved the computers to a slightly different location, moved in some new furniture, changed the location of the new books, etc.
But I'd like to take a moment to make clear that the libraries in the MORE system get a lot of help (and indispensable help it is, too) from the staff of the Indianhead Federated Library System. The IFLS staff makes our popular computer services possible (and got us the grant that made moving the computers possible), does most of the legwork involved in keeping the catalog and circulation and material-sharing software working correctly. And, when we have individual computer issues, they are willing to drop everything and work on them. It happened not long ago, actually. Saved us from a virus.
They coordinate workshops, host meetings, patiently explain complicated legal and technical issues to directors (like me) who need information, spread the word about informative articles. They do it all in a friendly, efficient and professional manner, too. Usually, if you deal with an organization of more than 10 people or so, you find the one that makes you think: "Lord, how'd THAT guy get hired?" But I've never met that person at IFLS.
The Indianhead Federated Library System, despite doing all of this for 40+ demanding libraries (at least, I hope they are all as demanding as we are or I'll feel guilty) and having to absorb budget cuts in the coming year, keeps the a good chunk of the northwest corner of Wisconsin neck-deep in decent library service.
I thank them for it and hope you'll keep their contribution in mind when our library serves you well. If anyone ever tells you the state wastes its money, you can look that person in the eye and tell them to visit the Indianhead Federated Library System Offices in Eau Claire, Wisconsin before they say too much more.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Interesting Snippet
I'm finally, after years of putting it off, reading Lewis Mumford's Pentagon of Power: The Myth of the Machine Volume II. It was suggested to me when I was in library school years ago because of its common-sense arguments against allowing information storage and retrieval from ever becoming completely computerized.
Mumford can be thought of as a sort of sociological Luddite: he worried about the societal effects of mechanization on humans and society.
Every now and then, someone asks me if I think libraries are ever going to be shoved aside into irrelevance in favor of Google. My answer is no.
Mumford writes on page 190:
"The National Library of Medicine at Bethesda, Maryland has an information retrieval service (MEDLARS), designed to index the medical periodical literature of 2,800 journals...To compare the results of a computerized search with those made in a conventional manner, two members of the Radcliffe Science Library staff in England compiled a list of references on the same subject, covering the same period as the MEDLARS taped record. Though nine relevant references in MEDLARS were not discovered by the library staff, they dug out thirteen relevant references not included. Alike on grounds of promptness and low cost and qualitative value human agents proved preferable to the automation."
Now, this was years ago and technology has come a very, very long way. But the point that Mumford makes over and over--and a reality that hasn't changed--is that information takes creative thought and contextual ability to understand and that no machine ever, in his opinion (and mine) will ever be able to replace a human being in terms of helping other humans find information.
The Internet in the hands of the average user is, in my opinion, no match for a library lit by wax candles in the hands of a seasoned information seeker.
Mumford can be thought of as a sort of sociological Luddite: he worried about the societal effects of mechanization on humans and society.
Every now and then, someone asks me if I think libraries are ever going to be shoved aside into irrelevance in favor of Google. My answer is no.
Mumford writes on page 190:
"The National Library of Medicine at Bethesda, Maryland has an information retrieval service (MEDLARS), designed to index the medical periodical literature of 2,800 journals...To compare the results of a computerized search with those made in a conventional manner, two members of the Radcliffe Science Library staff in England compiled a list of references on the same subject, covering the same period as the MEDLARS taped record. Though nine relevant references in MEDLARS were not discovered by the library staff, they dug out thirteen relevant references not included. Alike on grounds of promptness and low cost and qualitative value human agents proved preferable to the automation."
Now, this was years ago and technology has come a very, very long way. But the point that Mumford makes over and over--and a reality that hasn't changed--is that information takes creative thought and contextual ability to understand and that no machine ever, in his opinion (and mine) will ever be able to replace a human being in terms of helping other humans find information.
The Internet in the hands of the average user is, in my opinion, no match for a library lit by wax candles in the hands of a seasoned information seeker.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Holiday Closings
The Chippewa Falls Public Library will be closed Friday, December 23rd; Saturday, December 24th; Sunday, December 25th and Monday, December 26th.
The Chippewa Falls Public Library wishes all those in our service area a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season.
And, parents. Would you do us a favor? Would you consider adding a book or two to the pile of toys and games under the tree? They don't need batteries and they don't shoot projectiles.
The Chippewa Falls Public Library wishes all those in our service area a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season.
And, parents. Would you do us a favor? Would you consider adding a book or two to the pile of toys and games under the tree? They don't need batteries and they don't shoot projectiles.
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