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Surely this is not new, and represents but one paradigm shift along the way? This is a journey, not an endpoint. Supprting people to read, and in what to read?; to learn about printed sources (a techology shift from vellum and papyrus, as much as the ballpoint pen was from a quill and IT from Caxton) and to learn about IT? The balance between support and tuition. The tragedy, surely, is that we're still discussing this 10 or more years along the way since 'The People's Network', and it was already happening before then. But already we face the point where Smartphones will shortly outnumber basic mobiles - and yes, even people on low incomes seem to have these. Libraries might move more widely to WiFi to support those and other devices - until someone provides ubiquitouis WiFi and we don't need to do it, and/ot it's streamed into people's homes via 'Smart TV's'. So what will staff's role be then - 'Meeters and Greeters'? (which some might call Kiosk Minders). Until, that is, most of whart we read will be electronic, and all the current flurry of activity in RFID and self servce dies away? We all come into a job/career when it works one way - when we leave, anything upto 40 years (or now probably more!)it shouldn't be the same, but that is hard for people to adapt to. Where are the 'Wheeltappers'and 'Sagger Makers Bottom Knockers' now? I once heard it said that people don't like change - then I heard that it's not that, they just don't loke beiong changed. If they lead the change they may be happier. As William Gibson said: 'The future is already here - It's just not evenly disrtibuted...' Just a philospohical thought - and mine own, and not representative of my employer, etc. etc. John Usher BSC Dip Lib ICT Manager Library and Heritage Services Islington Council Central Library 2 Fieldway Crescent LONDON N5 1PF Tel: 020 7527 6920 Mobile: 07825 098 223 Fax: 020 7527 6926 Alternative contact: Michelle Gannon - 020 7527 6907 www.islington.gov.uk How to get to Central Library: http://www.islington.gov.uk/Education/Libraries/Local/Central.asp -----Original Message----- From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian Clark Sent: 19 March 2012 09:08 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [LIS-PUB-LIBS] IT in the library Hi, Yes, I think this is (or at least should be) an important part of our job and I would certainly be concerned if people felt 'resentful'. We have to remember that a great many people do not have the skills in which to make use of IT and simple provision of access is not enough. Libraries play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide for those considered 'information poor' and without the support we can and should provide they will be left behind, seriously disadvantaged economically and educationally. Incidentally, this raises certain issues in terms of the growth of community libraries and their ability to help bridge the digital divide - which, funnily enough, is what I am researching for my Masters dissertation J So yes, support should be provided. You wouldn't refuse to assist a partially sighted individual who needs help to find a suitable talking book, so why would you refuse to assist someone without the skills to navigate and utilise IT? Sorry, as this is an area I am currently researching I could spend all day on this topic J Ian Clark Library Systems Officer, Augustine House, Canterbury Christ Church University Email: [log in to unmask] Tel. 01227 767700 ext 3141 From: Riddick, Amanda [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 18 March 2012 18:45 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: IT in the library Hi, The other day, during a very quiet time at the library, I spent a good 20 minutes helping a customer with checking-in online and printing out her boarding passes and car hire insurance, and that wasn't the first time I've helped people with IT stuff that isn't to do with the library (eg formatting, saving onto USB stick, selecting the colour printer). Do you find that you and/or your colleagues get involved with what I'd call "informal IT", ie dealing with IT queries that are unrelated to your library's services and that take place outside formal IT classes? Do you feel resentful about it, that it's taking you away from what you're really there to do, or don't mind doing this as part of your job? I'd appreciate any feedback, but I will probably be writing an essay about this and may want to quote you (with due references and all, of course), so please let me know if you're OK about that or not. thanks and best wishes, Amanda Riddick Library Assistant MA Student, Library and Information Studies, University College London This e-mail is intended for the addressee only. If you have received it in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from your computer. Please be aware that information in this email may be confidential, legally privileged and/or copyright protected.