Killing librarianship

"The death of the profession will not come from Amazon or E-Books or Google but from lack of imagination" ~  R.David Lankes

So started the very interesting video presentation I was sent by a colleague today.  And whilst it was long (if you want to view the entire thing, click HERE), it was definitely entertaining and offered food for thought.

In essence, he's right.  For some time now, we've been trying to compete with the digital world when really, we can't!  We can offer a portal into it (in other words, 'join' it) for those who can't access in the comfort of their own home, but that is becoming increasingly rare.  But we can't 'beat' it.

So what DO libraries have that the digital world can't offer? There's a few things ...

We have physical space
And it's open to anyone.  Young. Old. In between.  Mothers. Fathers. Grandparents. Kids. Visitors. Locals. Employed. Unemployed. We don't care what you look like, how much you earn or who you are.  Just as long as you don't go on an all-out rampage, we're happy to invite you in to enjoy the cool in summer/warm in winter; take a load off and relax with a book, magazine or newspaper; get your kids entertained with stories and craft activities; give you access to the internet.  The list is endless.

We are communicators
Librarians actually like people! We also love information and being able to find the right information for everyone we come into contact with in the library is our idea of a great day at the office!  We LOVE those obscure questions you're dying to know the answer to.  It gives us our jollies.

We are the lifeblood of your community
Want to know something about the local area? Ask the library staff.  If they don't know the answer off the top of their head, they certainly know where to find it.  Want to know the history of the area? Chances are one of the library staff will specialise in that field.  Ask them.  They want to help.

We're techno-savvy
When the internet first came in, people said it would be the death of libraries. It wasn't.  Instead of trying to beat it, librarians became champions OF it.  They installed computers in the libraries and trained people how to access the internet and use it for all manner of things.

We know stuff
It's bare-bones basic (some would say a little too simplistic) but there you have it.  It's true and we do.  And we're friendly know-it-alls as well!

BUT ... sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. 

If you have an idea of what you'd like to see at your library, why not let us know?  Drop us a line at mstroud@chrc.qld.gov.au and tell us your 'big idea'.
You never know - it could be your suggestion that gets our imaginations running wild!