Hi Gordon,
I do agree with you - I do not see any point in writing an article that just
promotes the safe position and does not attempt to engage with those who do
not think there is a need for us - what is the point, whose opinion did we
change?
We need to face hard facts and just spouting the same old party-line like
there is no alternative is just putting our head in the sand. I will not
attempt to speak about the need for CILIP as I feel this is an entirely
different debate. I am interested in the future of the profession not the
professional body.
The opinion piece was proposed by CILIP (not my suggestion - they said we
could use one piece to answer the question about 'do we still need
libraries?' as a jumping off point for a number of similar debates)
Maybe the piece would be more useful in a medical journal - anyone know an
editor?
Amanda Minns
Library Services Manager
Library, Education Centre
Hairmyres Hospital
Eaglesham Road
East Kilbride
G75 8RG
01355 585488
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: UK medical/ health care library community / information workers
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gordon Smith
Sent: 22 August 2007 14:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Do we still need libraries?: the debate
I have been interested in the way the debate on the need for libraries has
changed. It started as largely a defence but then became the need for
libraries and CILIP. Similarly Amanda Minns proposed the professional
journal should have one issue on this question "and not just articles from
us on the front line but from those who have a negative point of view as
well." This has become "an opinion piece ... which can be used as a platform
for a number of articles in this area."
I have some sympathy for the initial positions but little for what the
debate changed into. "Do we still need libraries?" is not the same as "Do we
still need CILIP?"
Do we need libraries? Well, in my opinion, yes and no. No if they just stay
the same, yes if they are allowed to evolve without the dictates of
knowledge officers, bureaucrats and their like. (Perhaps I could note here
that if we don't need libraries because of Google, why do we need knowledge
officers, etc? On that point I shall let you go figure, as I believe the
jargon is).
Do we need CILIP? Well, in my opinion, yes and no. No as it is presently
constituted, yes if it becomes an organisation that really cares about the
views and aspirations of all professionals, however unpalatable. I suppose
that counts as Negative.
I favour articles from the front line and negative ones at that. But in
CILIP Update ? I am not surprised that the opinion piece will be a platform
for a number of articles, but who will be on the platform? I suspect it will
be those who are perceived as holding safe Positive opinions.
Sorry, Amanda, please count me out.
Gordon.
Gordon Smith
The Sally Howell Library
Epsom General Hospital
Dorking Road
Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7EG
Tel. 01372-735688, Fax 01372-735687
NULJ=HOWE, HLN=EP
"Genuine knowledge is egalitarian
in that it allows no privileged source,
testers, messengers of Truth.
It tolerates no privileged or circumscribed data.
The autonomy of knowledge is a leveller."
- Ernest Gellner, "Plough, Sword and Book".
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