The Can't Do Attitude
Is anyone out there working in a non-tech library? Is anyone else frustrated by this?
There are a lot of reasons I love my library. I truly like the people I work with, I like the patrons, and we have a nice facility. Most of the time the job is not stressful, and most aspects of my job are enjoyable.
But...
We are behind, in my opinion, in the tech realm. We have public internet computers, but we block all forms of chat and IM, as well as MySpace, which means that I am constantly saying "I'm sorry, but MySpace is blocked." Naturally, the teens don't come in to use the computers now. We don't offer any formal internet instruction classes, which means that a good deal of my 15 hours per week is taken up with helping people one-on-one with email, online job applications, and resume creation. We have a blog, but I am the only one who posts to it - I've been told outright that "No one reads it, so what's the point?" So, again, since I am only very part-time, it doesn't get updated as much as it should. Our website is in serious need of updating, but currently no one on staff has the skills to do that (except me, and, um, I simply cannot undertake that with my schedule), so there it sits with all of its dead links.
The reasons for these things run the gamut from, "we can't afford to pay anyone (like me) to do these things," to "the patrons in this community don't need/want this stuff" (not true). It seems to me that when a new program/idea/technology is introduced, if it doesn't take off immediately, it's deemed a "failure" and nothing more is done. And the final piece of the puzzle is that my coworkers are either knowledgeable-but-not-interested in pursuing these things, or they've never even heard of "library 2.0."
I can't be alone in this.
There are a lot of reasons I love my library. I truly like the people I work with, I like the patrons, and we have a nice facility. Most of the time the job is not stressful, and most aspects of my job are enjoyable.
But...
We are behind, in my opinion, in the tech realm. We have public internet computers, but we block all forms of chat and IM, as well as MySpace, which means that I am constantly saying "I'm sorry, but MySpace is blocked." Naturally, the teens don't come in to use the computers now. We don't offer any formal internet instruction classes, which means that a good deal of my 15 hours per week is taken up with helping people one-on-one with email, online job applications, and resume creation. We have a blog, but I am the only one who posts to it - I've been told outright that "No one reads it, so what's the point?" So, again, since I am only very part-time, it doesn't get updated as much as it should. Our website is in serious need of updating, but currently no one on staff has the skills to do that (except me, and, um, I simply cannot undertake that with my schedule), so there it sits with all of its dead links.
The reasons for these things run the gamut from, "we can't afford to pay anyone (like me) to do these things," to "the patrons in this community don't need/want this stuff" (not true). It seems to me that when a new program/idea/technology is introduced, if it doesn't take off immediately, it's deemed a "failure" and nothing more is done. And the final piece of the puzzle is that my coworkers are either knowledgeable-but-not-interested in pursuing these things, or they've never even heard of "library 2.0."
I can't be alone in this.
Labels: library 2.0, tech
posted by jess at
10:27 PM
11 Comments:
What a difficult place to work - KNOWING it could be better, but knowing you can't force the change upon them that they so desperately need. :( Argh.
By
Megan, at 9:48 AM
It makes me sad and angry to read that, Jessica. I've certainly encountered similar frustrations at my own library. I've had "How can we do IM reference? Where will we find the time?" and staff apathetic about our public blogs and the subject guide wiki we're developing. (In fact, I worry that once I leave for my new job, the wiki will be abandoned and never see the light of day.) On the other hand, my library is interested in moving forward. In fact, they've rewritten my job description to include being up-to-date on the latest library developments. MPOW hasn't always moved forward as quickly as I'd have liked, which is why I've gotten frustrated, but it is moving forward.
But I don't think you're alone, Jessica, which also makes me sad and angry.
By
Joshua M. Neff, at 10:54 AM
Sometimes I hate saying things like this, because I don't want to be seen as one of "those" librarians who do not see the value of print reference sources, novels, and serials.
In fact, for a library the size of ours, (the smaller side of medium) I think we have a kick-ass print reference collection, with special kick-assedness (like that?) in our literature dept. But the SAD fact of the matter is, very few students utilize it. Rhode Island is a state with a number of great university libraries, so the local college students don't really need to come to us. And the teens? Well, my guess is that they are doing just about all of their work online. We do get the occasional student in for history projects, but in my 2.5 years of working here, I I have helped maybe 3 kids with literature papers. Sigh.
So, if that's the way things are going, then we need to step up and teach the kids how to REALLY do online research (I have yet to have a high school student come in who knows the difference between Google and EBSCO), as well as offer the other social apps that people want.
By
Jessica, at 9:02 PM
You are certainly not the only library to go through this. Many libraries wait for Bill Gates to bail them out on technology issues. Furthermore, the public and budgetary authorities are often phobic of any new technology so justifying any expenditure of time or money is difficult. The only way to beat it is to find the time to do it yourself, push the envelope as far as you can without getting busted, and try to score an early win justifying the service.
By
Jeff, at 9:43 PM
Welcome, Jeff!
I'm forever getting busted for pushing the envelope at work - especially since I am low-woman on the totem pole. But, I am hoping to be able to change that without having to "sneak" the "medicine" in - I am applying for the Director's position, which is currently open. I probably done' a chance at it, but, hey what have I got to lose?
As for the budgetary powers that be, I think the main issue isn't phobia so much as a lack of understanding of the problem. Once they understand it, THEN they'll be phobic! Yay!
By
Jessica, at 10:09 PM
Good luck on the application. Administration certainly needs more people familiar with technology in their ranks (or at least have more that listen to staff). Rather sad that it is not even on their radar screen.
By
Jeff, at 11:33 AM
I wouldn't say my library is non-tech, but there's defintely a small subset of our staff and faculty interested in technologies outside the typical bibliographic database world.
I'm sorry to hear you have such an uphill battle at your library. It's sometimes really hard to sell the idea that it doesn't matter how good collections are if they're not used. The patrons only care about what's relevant to their needs and to remain relevant (ie survive) we have to figure out how to meet those needs.
I'm so with you on pushing the envelope! I've gotten a feel for how far I can push things on my own before I really need to ask permission (and help, as in the case of IM reference). More often than not, there's no fall-out, but one of these days I'll probably step in it. Good luck!
By
Kaijsa, at 12:26 PM
I love the idea of you as a library director. So...good luck!
By
Joshua M. Neff, at 10:22 AM
Hey guys, don't be so quick to diss Administration. I've been a Director myself of a small library and you've got even more push from political angles and the always present budget issues. I found that the Library Board (which was very strong and all up in the day to day of the library) was very skeptical of some of the initiatives I wanted to introduce.
I think the groundswell in Libraryland about 2.0 and trying technology with less fear and trepidation is making the move forward a lot easier. I know that in MPOW, all the things I had been jawing about for the past two plus years are finally being embraced by Admin. Hallelujah!
There is hope!
And you go for it- there are a lot of Directorships going to be coming open in the next decade and we need excited people to step up!
By
Sandra Stewart, at 11:45 AM
Wow... If the atmosphere is that acrid, it's time to apply elsewhere. There is only so much you can do with leadership like that.
By
Woeful, at 10:31 PM
I'm pretty much the only blogger here too...I don't know if we get many public hits either
By
John, at 12:57 PM
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home