There’s little doubt that historically libraries have enjoyed a place of pride in their communities but is that the same as being important in the daily lives of our users? If we’d done a good job when they had to come to us, won some loyalty, added some value, it seems to me they wouldn’t abandon ship so quickly when an alternative comes along.

I’ve worked in an academic library for three years - the entirety of my professional (read: degreed) career. But scan back through my blog and I think you’ll notice a decidedly heavy public library slant. Here’s why: the four main types of libraries serve slightly different audiences: school, academic, special (corporate, or similar), and public. For three of these the old model remains - the users have no choice, despite the internety-alternative. Because of the culture in which they exist their communities members must use the library. Teachers and professors insist on paper citations in bibliographies and, often, though I will admit a limited knowledge, the corporate libraries provide very detailed information specific to the organization. What a luxury for these places! Even as the tide of the world of information shifts, they are under limited pressure to accommodate it.

This is not so in public libraries. There, the challenges are much more present. They are forced to be proactive about establishing themselves as providing an vital service for their communities. Their very existence depends upon that. To me the pressure they operate under makes public libraries the front lines of library service. One that I find irresistible.

That’s why I am thrilled to be returning to their ranks. I’ve learned a lot at UNH, but as of tomorrow my tenure here comes to an end. Early next month I’ll join the Manchester City Library as their Head of Technology. And put all my pontificating over the last few years to the test in battle.

Wish me luck.

Note: Thanks to Greg at The Pages Within for the City Library photo and Colin at ColinPrincipe.com for the Manchester City Library night shot.

Tags: career, librarians, Libraries, Services, and Librarians, lichen rancourt, public, relevance

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 13th, 2007 at 9:58 am and is filed under Libraries, Services, and Librarians. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.