tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35428618.post290971292939104618..comments2024-01-20T00:59:08.689+00:00Comments on Brave New World: Can The Public Library Deliver That Golden Egg?Martyn Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134633193540004531noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35428618.post-20090031496248093612013-01-18T13:59:51.821+00:002013-01-18T13:59:51.821+00:00I agree with the main point here that public libra...I agree with the main point here that public libraries should/could be delivering the golden egg, but not that it’s “not about staff but resources and access to them” only. <br /><br />Over and over again we see this sentiment that it’s only about the stuff, whether digital, paper, the building, computers, tablets, etc. Merely providing “customer service” with a smile is all one needs to qualify to work in a public library since Google is the premier information provider and anyone can do that. Really?<br /><br />Don’t people understand that free online sources of information are often marketing devices and that do not always delivery the most reliable data, that most searches come out differently depending on where you are and what the search engine ‘’thinks” you want? You will just be skimming the surface if you think Google or Wikipedia is the end-all and it’s educated librarians who are in the best place to take the searching further. Yep, educated, paid professionals not just volunteers with an “Ask Me” pin stuck to their lapel.<br /><br />Does it not take education, maturity, commitment, and no less experience to facilitate collective vision and cooperation as well? This is merely customer service too? Who is going to go into their community and facilitate programming and connect with people? Again, are you just going to rely on “customer service” here? Come on, when are we going to get past the commodified, dumbed-down approach to the public good that educators, schools, librarians and libraries should be transcending. <br /><br />@bflolibrarian<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com