November 17, 2008

libraries and modern life

As both an MLS candidate and 'fresh' librarian trainee, a lot of my life for the past year has been devoted to considering the pontifications of professors, colleagues, and bloggers. What is the future of the library as we know it? How can you engage your community? What are the best ways to increase circulation, program attendance, funding? In what ways can we best implement new technologies? How can you get a job?!

These are almost impossible questions to answer in a single class, book, article, or blog post. One coherent approach I've come to embrace is that having ideas tossed about in interactive formats (including classes, conferences, blogs) serve to further educate those engaging in these discussions. I hope publicizing my experiences and approaches might come to serve visitors from libraryland. Constant assessment and adjustments are fundamental to any successful organization, and librarians should keep this in mind. I plan on actively supporting my community by offering my two cents. Hope you enjoy.