The second and final part of my interview with Steven Cohen ... if you haven't read Part One yet, be sure to check it out first.
GD: What do you think are some up-and-coming developments in the library world -- significant developments in technology or otherwise that will impact our profession?
SC: Well, of course, the "happening thing" is online/virtual/chat reference. All libraries are either implementing this new service, or plans are in the works to start it. The ability to reach patrons in this way is mind boggling to me. Imagine, logging onto the Internet at home, and getting library services from a real librarian by chatting with them. Stereotypes get thrown out the window.
In addition to this, I see the way information is delivered to our patrons as a hot topic in the near future, and I see weblogs as an avenue this delivery. Many libraries (ie Waterboro Public Library - http://www.waterboro.lib.me.us/blog.htm ) have started weblogs in order to provide new and "late-breaking" stories and library happenings to their patrons.
Wireless librarians ( http://people.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/wi... ) and handheld librarians ( http://www.handheldlib.blogspot.com/ ) are starting to make their theories and views known to the library world, and we must embrace this newest of technologies. Think of how these two forms of librarianship will effect the way we perform reference work. It's powerful stuff.
GD: What is your 'philosophy of librarianship'? What do you think is essential to librarianship, that thing or things that most characterizes librarians, and distinguishes us from other professions?
SC: Librarians help people. In my opinion, it all boils down to that. Whether you are cataloging, archiving, or at a reference desk, in a law firm, academic, public or school, you are doing your part in helping people. My ultimate goal is not only to provide and deliver answers to my "patrons", but to have them know that they can trust my work enough to come back and ask more questions. Librarians sure aren't in this for the money, and there is some prestige, but our shining moments come when we see satisfaction on the faces of the people we help.
I once told my mother that librarians need to know a little bit about everything. I truly believe this. In no other profession is there a bombardment of questions on every narrow topic known to man. Add to that the notion that we are expected to know where and how to find the answer, and that is a daunting task. Another anectode: I was helping a teenager utilize a reference book when his friends says to me, "Have you read every book in this library?" "Yes", I replied. (who is it going to hurt? That
GD: What do you think are some up-and-coming developments in the library world -- significant developments in technology or otherwise that will impact our profession?
SC: Well, of course, the "happening thing" is online/virtual/chat reference. All libraries are either implementing this new service, or plans are in the works to start it. The ability to reach patrons in this way is mind boggling to me. Imagine, logging onto the Internet at home, and getting library services from a real librarian by chatting with them. Stereotypes get thrown out the window.
In addition to this, I see the way information is delivered to our patrons as a hot topic in the near future, and I see weblogs as an avenue this delivery. Many libraries (ie Waterboro Public Library - http://www.waterboro.lib.me.us/blog.htm ) have started weblogs in order to provide new and "late-breaking" stories and library happenings to their patrons.
Wireless librarians ( http://people.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/wi... ) and handheld librarians ( http://www.handheldlib.blogspot.com/ ) are starting to make their theories and views known to the library world, and we must embrace this newest of technologies. Think of how these two forms of librarianship will effect the way we perform reference work. It's powerful stuff.
GD: What is your 'philosophy of librarianship'? What do you think is essential to librarianship, that thing or things that most characterizes librarians, and distinguishes us from other professions?
SC: Librarians help people. In my opinion, it all boils down to that. Whether you are cataloging, archiving, or at a reference desk, in a law firm, academic, public or school, you are doing your part in helping people. My ultimate goal is not only to provide and deliver answers to my "patrons", but to have them know that they can trust my work enough to come back and ask more questions. Librarians sure aren't in this for the money, and there is some prestige, but our shining moments come when we see satisfaction on the faces of the people we help.
I once told my mother that librarians need to know a little bit about everything. I truly believe this. In no other profession is there a bombardment of questions on every narrow topic known to man. Add to that the notion that we are expected to know where and how to find the answer, and that is a daunting task. Another anectode: I was helping a teenager utilize a reference book when his friends says to me, "Have you read every book in this library?" "Yes", I replied. (who is it going to hurt? That
The copyright of the article An Interview With Steven Cohen in Library/Information Science is owned by . Permission to republish An Interview With Steven Cohen in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Gillian Davis's Library/Information Science topic, please visit the Discussions page.