At 01:09 PM 3/24/02 -0500, you wrote:
>Wise folks,
>I need to ask this question to keep myself from getting too judgemental. Is
>there someone who can explain to me what is behind the complete refusal of
>several experienced librarians I know (definitely a minority, but more than
>one, just the same)to learn to do anything remotely connected to more recent
>technology than the overhead projector?
Monica:
I suspect this might just stir up some 'discussion'! <G> I have dealt
with people like the ones you are describing. They are very discouraging
to work with. However, there are a couple of points in their favor we
should consider. Their refusal to deal with technology might just be based
on past experience of failed "next new things"...remember film
loops? "Teaching Machines"? language labs? self-contained
filmstrip/cassette viewers? I hasten to add that I use technology seven
days a week, and had one of the very first personal computers available to
the public (TRS-80 Model I). I use technology in nearly all my work, as
well as in my professional presentations at conferences, workshops, and the
like. But I understand the technophobe's point of view, especially on days
when the network is down, or the printer isn't working, or the cd-rom drive
WILL not read the data disc.
In all seriousness, technology is NOT always the best answer to a problem.
Not EVERY presentation needs to be a 'Powerpointless' one. Often we are
best served by print rather than electronic media E-mail is not always
read or dealt with more quickly than a printed memo (and neither is as
effective as a face to face conversation, IMHO). Old way persist in part
because they work. That being said, it is also true that a closed mind is a
rather cold, dusty, empty sort of place to inhabit.
Sadly, the mind set you refer to is not confined to library land. It is
common in all branches of education (remember *your* education classes in
college?). We have faculty members who exhibit the same attitude. In
defence of the profession as a whole, I would point out that librarians
were among the first professions (and among the first individuals) who
recognized the potential of the computer and seized upon its use. But
there is a place for the human brain in our profession, and in many cases
it is STILL the most flexible and fastest means of accessing
information. So the people who refuse to use technology still have a
place... and it would be wise for them to accept that there is a place for
technology as well. If they cannot, that becomes their problem, as they
marginalize themselves.
For our part, we should continue to show a balance between the
technological and the human sides of our profession, and demonstrate to the
public, staff, and students we serve that a balanced approach is the
best. The best counter to anyone's view of our profession as an antiquated
one is a crop of vigorous practitioners who use old methods where
appropriate (and don't hesitate to explain why they are the best choice) as
well as embracing new technologies where appropriate.
Finally, I would not worry overly much about the public's perception that
the technophobes are ruling the roost. Stereotypes aside, most of the
public are aware that computers are ubiquitous in libraries at the same
time they are aware that a book in the hand beats an e-book reader in the
bush.
Just my quarter's worth (prices have gone up...gotta pay for that new
laptop, ya know ! <G> )
Mark Williams
Librarian
Colton High School Library
777 W. Valley Blvd.
Colton, CA 92373
mark_williams@eee.org
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