I don’t know what the most common caricature of a librarian is these days but the reigning one when I was a child was the little old lady who seemed to care more about the books she watched over than the people who read them, someone with a strong desire to work in a silent place. I have never actually met a librarian like that and I have seen plenty of librarians. My wife and some of my best friends are librarians.
When digital and other media invaded important resources, the mere cataloging and shelving of oddly shaped computer disks, magnetic recordings and cassettes presented new needs for decisions, principles, and methods. As more people have a smartphone, the job of a librarian changes. Even little kids can use Google. Those who can’t spell can see which Google suggestion seems to be what they are looking for. Doing certain types of research gets somewhat easier, somewhat automated.
However, using electronic tools is something that many librarians understand and can explain to library patrons. Academic libraries from kindergarten to doctoral campuses hold training session to explain new tools. The tools change all the time. The computer mouse is being used less, giving way to smarter touch pads and screens that can understand more gestures than simply point, click and select. Finding and joining various networks might be demonstrated to a group of specialized patrons.
As information, its depiction, analysis, and summarization changes, librarians become counselors for library users in new ways. Don’t be afraid to ask them for help.
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
