TRY 2013: Closing Keynote Notes – Libraries Matter: Thinking About Why

  • Rebecca Graham, University of Guelph

Technology

  • terms that are now related to tech: app, tablet, silk road
  • tech has profoundly changed libraries
  • computing capacity
  • connectivity
  • consumption: facilitated
  • transformation of industries e.g. amazon, netflix – selling to creating
  • content providers to content creators: publishing, content (digitized, data, digital created), containers of the future

Users

  • can learn about via engagement e.g. whiteboard like/not, dot board
  • useful surveys: Ithaka US Faculty 2012 Survey, NMC Horizon Report Higher Education Edition; Project Information Literacy
  • Fidelity/Convenience: importance of search engines, monographs (format, publication, etc.), tech & teaching, student skills (lack good habits, info literacy skills)

Space

  • single point of service
  • public/group study space
  • shared storage facility
  • inventive use of space e.g. staircase allowing study/seating area

Library Staff

  • aim for relevancy
  • users don’t differentiate
  • unwilling to go elsewhere for simple questions
  • operating at the edge of chaos
  • complex ecosystem: work independently, but will intersect
  • different types of literacy that students need
  • resilience
  • change: part of who we are

Parting Thought

  • Working at the edge of your mastery: need to be comfortable doing this, but will benefit your library and hopefully bring personal satisfaction