Some assumptions of the future based on readings for the class-
-'typographic' literacy is being replaced by video game/multimedia literacy. magazines, books, music, and movies are all becoming available online
--> because of this, print will slowly fade away...physical copies of dvds and cds will have much less a presence. the library will be loaning out digital material.
-there is a digital divide
--> not everyone will have access to new technologies. not everyone will know how to use them.
-more and more learning, socializing, and 'living' is done online/on a cell/on various video game systems. public space is shrinking.
--> people will be lonelier. they need a place to be comfortable and socialize without having to buy something.
-based on census data reviewed by my Cultural Diversity & Libraries class: the 'nuclear family' is done. many families are headed by two working parents or one working parent. children need a safe place to go after school. libraries that close at 6pm on weeknights will not see many working parents.
Using these assumptions, it is absolutely critical that public libraries change their historic focus of being depositories if they want to be useful, used, and funded. If books dvds and cds fall to the wayside, what can a librarian do to support the population?
-instruction. literacy for new computer programs, systems, websites... how to get borrow the latest batman movie from the library onto your iphone. the majority of people who use the latest tech tools do not know how to use them to the fullest. librarians as educators.
-programming. give people something to do together! whether it be a community garden, movie nights, wii gaming, book discussion, concerts, theater...libraries need to act more as a community center. after all, if all our materials are available online, why would anyone come in? people who work, play, and shop from their pdas and computers have a need for a public space that offers socializing. sometimes second life just doesn't cut it. libraries as community centers
-accessible public space. the shape of american families is changing! kids are looking for something to occupy their time after school. working parents will be unavailable to use library space. hours need to change! being open late nights and on weekends might not please library staff but it sure is a user-centered policy. with all the kids and teens expected after school, staff must be trained to work with young people and understand child development. librarians working around patron schedules
-partnerships. librarians need to connect more often with various neighborhood organizations and public schools. librarians should have a grasp of what's going on in the neighborhood/town/city. they should be acting as a bridge for any mix of individuals and organizations. librarians as community organizers
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I think this is a great way to go about the task of considering what practices might make up critical librarianship. I wonder if these are premised on assumptions, as you say, or on some conclusions you are drawing based on research and critical thinking? Assumption sounds like you aren't basing your opinions in fact or research at all, and to this reader, it seems like you have done some fairly careful thinking here...
ReplyDeleteThe Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) has done an excellent job of making the library a community center. Programs are provided for patrons of all ages. These include book discussions and free movie screenings, computer basics classes, toddler time, story time, and First RIF, manga drawing programs, origami, teen cuisine, teen time, laptop programs, RIF, arts and crafts, and more. Patrons do come to the library to participate in the programs and be active community members.
ReplyDeleteAnd the library is a place where patrons come to get educated in many areas. People want to know how to find jobs, where to find information on different forts in America, what is a good science experiments to do for school, and information for term papers. The staff does an excellent job of helping patrons, especially when it comes to using the computer, by teaching them how to use the mouse, how to set up an email account, how to apply for jobs online, and how to search online for information.
Keep it up, BPL!
I'm a big proponent of the library as the "third place" that people can hang out (besides work/school and home). It's a neutral, commerce-free space (if you don't count the Snapple vending machines BPL has installed in every branch), and has the potential to provide enriching and maybe even educational experiences in the meantime. And though I don't expect that collections will ever totally disappear, I wholeheartedly agree about the new roles of librarians you suggest here! We can't pretend to be merely custodians of the collection or question-answerers (though both of those functions are still important).
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