I think this is rather harsh. I take a more pragmatic stance in welcoming any expression of support for our profession in the spirit in which it is intended. I believe more in the value of raising our profile through opening debate and whether or not I agree with all the sentiments and how they are expressed is less important to me than the fact that Professor Brabazon is promoting discourse. More power to her [writing] arm say I.
Jonathan
Jonathan Smart,
Academic Support Co-ordinator (Skills),
Room 201, Library,
University of Plymouth,
Drake Circus,
Plymouth PL4 8AA
Tel. 01752 587119
Fax: 01752 587101
-----Original Message-----
From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: 26 September 2008 15:54
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: a future bereft of the custodians of knowledge? (THE article)
I regret to say that my view on Professor Brabazon is "with friends like her, who needs enemies?" as her arguments are so poorly researched and so badly phrased. In my view, juicy sound bites are no compensation for poorly structured arguments which invite derision from decision-makers. She is a friend of librarians and I agree with her sentiments, but find her whole style and approach unhelpful.
Charles
Professor Charles Oppenheim
Head
Department of Information Science
Loughborough University
Loughborough
Leics LE11 3TU
Tel 01509-223065
Fax 01509 223053
e mail [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: 26 September 2008 15:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: a future bereft of the custodians of knowledge? (THE article)
It's Friday afternoon, and if you are seeking weekend reading, you might want to check out "The shape of things to come" from this week's Times Higher Education in which Tara Brabazon "ponders a future bereft of the custodians of knowledge":
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=403729
As always, Tara gives us great sound bites: "Librarians are the custodians of forms and institutions, transforming a platform for information into the foundation for learning".
She concludes: "As we think about the future during our own troubled times - scarred, like [H.G.]Wells', by war and financial turmoil - we can campaign for new technology or older technology. We can Google more information. But there is another option: to support the one profession that can preserve and transform, structure and analyse, speak and remember".
Alison
--
Alison McNab
LIS Co-ordinator, Higher Education Academy - Information and Computer Sciences
Email: [log in to unmask]
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