I agree with Pennys' points, it is a very worthwhile discussion. Also it
would be worth taking the discussion forward as she suggests.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Penny Garrod" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 9:29 AM
Subject: the future of the main library
> Dear Colleagues
>
> I haven't enjoyed a mail list debate so much for a long time. I think this
> *lemon* is well worth poking with a fairly big stick. The arguments
> regarding the virtual library posits a view that in future every citizen
> will possess a handheld device - be it next generation mobile phone or a
> PDA, or whatever. Ergo, the library as place, especially if it is a small,
> under-utilised, branch library, is seen to be unjustifiable in terms of
> expense. The library as *place and space* for community gatherings, and
for
> access to information for those without the latest gadgets, or the
*socially
> excluded* can then only be taken seriously by funders/government etc. if
> they rebadge themselves as learning centres, or can demonstrate (via best
> value review, I guess?) that they are tackling social exclusion and are
> actively engaged in lifelong learning activities e.g. getting funds to
> become an ICT learning centre.
> There also seems to be (correct me if I'm wrong) a tension between
regional,
> local and national agendas (digitisation programmes, for example, which
> enable national access to local collections - what can of worms does this
> open up?), and the vagaries of local authority funding, which means that
> libraries, like the property market, are at the mercy of *location,
> location, location*. I had better stop now before people head for the
> unsubsribe button.
> Bye the bye, is anyone taking up Bruce Myers offer of taking this
discussion
> to the next phase (post the ALIA conference)? I for one would be
interested
> in hearing more from our Australian colleagues.
>
> Penny Garrod
> Public Library Networking Focus
> UKOLN - UK Office for Library and Information Networking
> University of Bath
> Bath BA2 7AY
> England, UK
>
> Tel: +44 (0) 1225 826711
> Fax: +44 (0) 1225 826838
> email: [log in to unmask]
|