I decided to use this posting to sort of mirror a few key things I have learned and am still learning in this class. Of course, it’s impossible to list everything because of our assigned wordage limitation.
First and foremost I think I have a better understanding of how our public (and other types of)
libraries are taken to task and held responsible for ensuring our patrons are exposed to as much information as is humanly possible. I also understand this to be necessary in order for our citizens to responsibly participate in the democratic process.
Even though civic minded responsibility is a major goal for our libraries and for the operation of a democratic society, I also see how the free access and exchange of information contributes to a better understanding of and discourse with other societies around the world.
Throughout my SLIS studies I have been very impressed with the consistent quality in behavior and in skills of both the instructors/professors and the students. And for future libraries
I am still in awe of how librarians will have to be aware of and practice Censorship, Freedom to Read, CIPA, DOPA, and Access, along with ensuring patrons’ privacy.
You have heard me go on and on ad nauseum about what value Senior Citizens (there should be another politically correct term) should be able to share with society both socially and work related. To me, this is also another facet of the Digital Divide-the loss of productivity within all the groups who are separate from IT.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could actually bring or deliver computer access and all its benefits to those who are still a part of the “Digital Divide?” Our future holds much hope for this, especially with the possibilities the current stimulation package brings to the table.
The next few years will be crucial with respect to how we handle this stimulation package funding. Even though this money has come as the result of very hard times for many of our citizens, it could be a wonderful investment for society as a whole.
Hopefully the climate of change will be welcomed by the traditionally snail paced library community, and will bring about much needed updated library catalogs, and patron services. It would be so nice to be able to go to an online library database and be able to “shop” like you do on Amazon.com and other such sites.
I am also am hoping I will be able to spend enough time on this earth to at least try to apply what I have learned. It would be nice to feel that I can give back to the library system that has given me and my daughters so much through the years.
And, as I have said before, I am so excited about the group of younger librarians that are about to take over from people my age. When I think about the quality of students I have encountered here at IUPUI, and then when I include the groups from other quality SLIS programs I feel so good about the future.
Signing off Maywin Jackson
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Maywin,
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you are so enthusiastic about the future. Being able to embrace the changes brought on by new technology puts you ahead of the game. You have such a great attitude I think your future in the library world is bright.
Great post Maywin. Everything you talked about-free access, the digital divide, funding-gets me so excited to go into this field. And it also reminds me of how much work we have ahead of us, and of why I have such a hard time explaining this field to people, though it has gotten a little easier. There are so many possibilities not only regarding what type of library or organization we can work for, but also what area we can specialize in or what demographic we can focus on.
ReplyDeleteOver the years as I've talked to people about broadband and equitable access to information and technology I've seen their eyes glaze over. It comforts me to know that some of my students agree that this is an essential topic for librarians to be versed in so that they can help their communities have the best access to information possible.
ReplyDelete