Laval
I think the reverse would probably be true. Many outsiders
(i.e. non-LIS people) still have no idea what it is that we do, or what we
know. I don’t think the question of professional identity has ever been
solved. And I do believe that our neophytes must understand that going to the
library is probably the last thing that most people think of – especially today,
with Google. And I find our other students (I teach, inter alia, a huge first
year contingent) do not understand the difference between Google and the online
library catalogue which provides them access to electronic publications.
This is why I have continually emphasised the similarities and
differences between all information workers. I have written about this, for
example, in my 2005 book.
S
From: Open Lib/Info Sci Education Forum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Laval Hunsucker
Sent: Sunday, 25 April 2010 6:47 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Where do libraries fit in the "information-seeking
food chain"?
Bernie Sloan wrote :
> Just a thought.
But a very good thought.
Yet isn't the problem (?) that it would, if honestly done, most likely pull the
rug out from under the whole superstructure of professional identity, the whole
self-image and pretension, that LIS ( and not least, LIS education ) has constructed
for itself over the past fifty years or so ?
Therefore : don't count on it happening, I'd say. ( Let's hope I'm wrong.
)
And as far as better positioning is concerned -- isn't it a little late for
that kind of undertaking to make much sense ?
- Laval Hunsucker
Breukelen, Nederland
From: B.G. Sloan <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sat, April 24, 2010 12:24:25 AM
Subject: Where do libraries fit in the "information-seeking food
chain"?
|
I think it would be really instructive if
LIS students could take a course that showed where libraries and
librarians fit into the overall "information-seeking food chain". Something that would give future
librarians a realistic idea of how libraries are used (and not used) by
people seeking information that they need. Something where students read
research reports about how people really go about looking for the info they
need, and then discuss how libraries might better position themselves in the
"big picture". I'm thinking there are probably courses like this out
there. If you teach a course like this I'd be interested in taking a look at
your syllabus. |