I don't think I mentioned in earlier posts that I work in the Children's Department at a public library. I have five years experience in academic libraries and I can't wait to get back to one!! i love the challenges of figuring out a research project or question from a student. Especially if the student actually knows what class he or she is in and what the professors name is, it's a miracle I tell you! The atmosphere is one of open-minds and new ways of thinking in the academic world. I love the questions that can have 3 or 4 different answers and students can pick and choose what works for them. When I worked in the library I was exposed to the inter-library loan process for the first time and notifying students of overdue notices using Facebook or Myspace.
You would think that when kids are being taught computers as soon as they can walk a children's staff would be pretty open to learning new technology and embracing it. I am here to tell you that is not the case. The people I work with run from computers and avoid technology like the plague. Not kidding. If I mention something I have learned in this class like when we used Adobe Connect they look at me like I am speaking Klingon or something. Seriously, you will never meet a group of people who want to avoid technology more than my co-workers. I know this sounds like poor taste to be smartmouthing them but librarians need to embrace change, especially children's librarians!! I have tried teaching them about things like Blogger and wikis and I really do get a cold shoulder.
The wiki for work project is really starting to silence any fear that I might have about technology. I was so proud of myself the other day when I uploaded my content so far to the page for Nationwide resources- I am on the federal content team. It surprised me how something so little seemed like a huge accompishment to me. I am sure others in the class would laugh at something so silly but it still made me feel good to try something new and not screw it up!! The technology teams seriously amaze me. Honestly, I bow to your master knowledge of coding a web page by hand even though I have no idea what it means. I am impressed!!
This is why I am happy I took this class. I am glad to know that there are still some brave souls out there who are making all these new advances in technology for our benefit. I sometimes shudder to think about people who will remain afraid of change and new technology. I think those people will soon see the rest of the world and their jobs passing them by. I am happy I will not be one of them!!
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Embrace the change! I know exactly what you mean about the stares you can get from co-workers when you talk about something other than the current system. The sad thing is, it really doesn't even have to be about technology, it could be a suggestion about a new process or a different way to think about the reference collection, and unfortunately, when you're at the bottom of the food chain it can be intimidating to ever bring up a suggestion ever again. Just be glad that you won't be one the librarians that won't get left behind.
ReplyDeleteNinja posting Holly!! Good job.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, even as old as I am, there are times when I balk at something new, but every single time I try and succeed at something new I am thrilled. Also, it's neat to be able to be right up there with my grandsons and their computer literacy levels.
Do not allow anyone to discourage. You are young and have many great years in the library profession. Maywin
I think it's great that you viewed yourself as having limited technology experience and now it looks like you are leading the pack! You do have a lot to offer your library. Just use your technology experience in little ways and your staff will see that it is helpful and can be a part of their library.
ReplyDeleteDon't lose track of the fact that some of your co-workers of today or yesterday may actually look at what you write online. I encourage you to use these new technologies but don't forget that others are catching on everyday so you need to be just as polite here as you would be in person. And I know you're polite. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYesterday I was telling a friend about the Next Generation Catalog project we have begun and how fun and exciting it is, but how scary it is to know that there may be folks who are hesitant to even think of giving up their current opac. His response was a sarcastic one of "what, librarians don't like change?" Now I should point out that aside from knowing me, this person has no "library" background. Sure he uses the library, but he doesn't roll with librarians if you know what I mean. So it really struck me that an "outsider" would also have the opinion that librarians aren't exactly known for embracing change. But you know what? I'm not sure what profession really is. Prior to library school I was a teacher, another group not really known for embracing change. Honestly though, I'm not sure how much of a bad thing this is. Yes it is important to be open to change. But at the same time, there is a risk of being well, too eager to embrace it, too open. Not all change is good, not all advances in technology are good, and sometimes it can be beneficial to take a step back and slow down. The trick for me is going to be in finding the balance between the two.
ReplyDeleteI really think Lucy Grogg is on to something! When people raise strange eyebrows when approached with change (or new technologies) it could be for a variety of reasons, even valid and rational reasons that you may not have thought of. Yes, I think people should take a step back. I myself, for instance, am not afraid of change, or even skeptical of it really, I just look at things differently. For starters I tend to often think in a historical context. How many people think about the thousands of years of human history before they heedlessly embrace change. Somethings should not be changed, and that, in my opinion, is the wisdom of the ages. I have my reasons, but I won't list them here.
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