A Librarian's 2.0 Manifesto
- I will recognize that the universe of information culture is changing fast and that libraries need to respond positively to these changes to provide resources and services that users need and want.
- I will educate myself about the information culture of my users and look for ways to incorporate what I learn into library services.
- I will not be defensive about my library, but will look clearly at its situation and make an honest assessment about what can be accomplished.
- I will become an active participant in moving my library forward.
- I will recognize that libraries change slowly, and will work with my colleagues to expedite our responsiveness to change.
- I will be courageous about proposing new services and new ways of providing services, even though some of my colleagues will be resistant.
- I will enjoy the excitement and fun of positive change and will convey this to colleagues and users.
- I will let go of previous practices if there is a better way to do things now, even if these practices once seemed so great.
- I will take an experimental approach to change and be willing to make mistakes.
- I will not wait until something is perfect before I release it, and I'll modify it based on user feedback.
- I will not fear Google or related services, but rather will take advantage of these services to benefit users while also providing excellent library services that users need.
- I will avoid requiring users to see things in librarians' terms but rather will shape services to reflect users' preferences and expectations.
- I will be willing to go where users are, both online and in physical spaces, to practice my profession.
- I will create open Web sites that allow users to join with librarians to contribute content in order to enhance their learning experience and provide assistance to their peers.
- I will lobby for an open catalog that provides personalized, interactive features that users expect in online information environments.
- I will encourage my library's administration to blog.
- I will validate, through my actions, librarians' vital and relevant professional role in any type of information culture that evolves.
Comments
Wonderful! Thank you Laura!
I'd add:
"I will not be defensive about my library, but talk and listen to all our users about where I/we can improve our services."
"I will not be defensive about my profession, but talk and listen to all interested people [even/especially non-librarians!] about how the profession needs to evolve."
Posted by: CW | November 8, 2006 07:54 PM
This is fantastic, Laura! I have printed out copies for everyone in our library team.
Posted by: Amanda | November 8, 2006 08:32 PM
Excellent summary! I'm going to circulate this at my library, too.
Posted by: Roger Hiles | November 9, 2006 12:57 PM
Hi Laura
Great manifesto. My co-blogger made a mashup with pictures and sound to illustrate all of the statements. See here
Originally posted here
Esben from Denmark
Posted by: Esben Fjord | November 10, 2006 12:05 AM
Great text Laura - There is now a video slideshow mashup of your statements at YouTube
Posted by: Soren Johannessen | November 10, 2006 09:32 AM
Hi Laura,
Thanks for your manifesto. It contains great thoughts we surely can use in our library. I will certainly pass them on.
Erik, from the Netherlands
Posted by: Erik Hulsken | November 11, 2006 10:24 AM
Really thought provoking. Many thanks!
Posted by: gamoia | November 11, 2006 02:27 PM
Someone passed this to me and I was so taken with your images and text that I immediately sent the link to my librarians and support staff. Thanks for making the need for change so clear.
Posted by: David Berona | February 13, 2007 09:39 AM
Laura -- I adore this! Having written and posted a future of learning manifesto recently, I can say that you have raised the bar significantly. Beautiful messages/paradigm you offer. And the video on YouTube is a delightful mash-up. Just posted on my blog about your ideas. Hope that you continue to gather some wonderful attention and feedback for these ideas of yours!
Cheers,
Christian
Posted by: Christian | February 13, 2007 05:58 PM
Hello everyone,
Thanks to all of you for your positive comments about my Manifesto. This is very heartening!
Posted by: Laura Cohen | February 13, 2007 06:55 PM
Laura,
Thanks for this. I am passing it along to the two media specialists in the buildings I work in. This is something that not only the media specialists should see, but entire faculties as well.
Posted by: Patrick | February 14, 2007 06:18 AM
I really relate to this and felt optimistic about our future in a way I haven't before. Thanks for sharing! My addition: I will work to know enough about my users to be able to anticipate their needs and preferences, and to incorporate these into library planning.
Posted by: Jacque | February 14, 2007 03:27 PM
What a creative, open-minded list of goals. You are quite admirable, everyone should be so open!
Posted by: S | February 22, 2007 10:51 AM
Desafios diários constantes!
Posted by: Segemar Oliveira Magalhães | March 12, 2007 08:36 AM
You're great Laura...thanks a lot for this beautiful manifesto...I will disseminate this to our fellow librarians here in the Philippines.
Posted by: Marita G. Valerio | March 17, 2007 12:02 AM
Slap! I needed some uplifting to get back on my wave again! Thank you! The mashup is so cool! I've sent connections to both sites to all my librarian colleagues as we ALL need some uplifting! Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Melissa Rentchler, M.Ed./LMT in CA | May 6, 2007 05:36 PM
excellent manifesto. here in greece we have to do a lot especially changing attitudes of professionals but this work summarizes perfectly the new era
i will distribute it in my library
Posted by: ioannis trohopoulos | May 8, 2007 07:50 AM
A good summary of points to remember!
"I will educate myself about the information culture of my users and look for ways to incorporate what I learn into library services." Add to this point, "I will be cognizant of the information culture of my colleagues."
"I will be courageous about proposing new services and new ways of providing services, even though some of my colleagues will be resistant." Add to this point, "I will ask why some of my colleagues will be resistant and realize that they may have a point."
Posted by: Jay | May 15, 2007 06:19 PM
Thanks for your manifesto. I will certainly pass them on.
Posted by: All Links | May 20, 2007 08:50 PM
Laura, congratulations on your American Libraries write up! I laminated the page that looks like a door with a scroll containing the manifesto, and it's hanging on my office door.
Posted by: Nina | August 15, 2007 02:34 PM
Excellent idea
Posted by: Dr. Vaishali Choukhande | August 22, 2007 04:19 AM
This is great. I will be posting this by my desk. I just had a conference with my supervisor who is very supportive about this year's goals. Defensiveness is one of the hardest emotions I deal with as we discuss what people want me to accomplish this year. I try to remember that this is not my library, but a library that is there to serve the teachers and students of my district.
Posted by: Darla Grediagin | August 31, 2007 01:15 PM
Laura your Librarian's Manifesto was very powerful to me because you put into words the ideas that were swirling in my head and a whole lot more. I am starting my career as a school librarian and your statements have heightened my enthusiasm! Thank You!
Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth Lancaster | September 6, 2007 07:15 PM
Dear Laura,
While reading Manifesto I was proud to be in the Library Science major. Once again, your Manifesto showed me that it is a great profession?! I have sent the link to my library staff in the country of Georgia.
Thank you,
Elene
Posted by: Elene Gedevanishvili | September 8, 2007 01:12 AM
I will not wait until something is perfect before I release it...
We have an IT department like that. I hope you don't. Unstable tech changes build upon each other. Don't skimp on IT departments, they are the foundation of a library system.
Posted by: In the trenches | September 17, 2007 06:26 PM
Laura,
Excellent! I will use this text in Brazil!
Posted by: William Okubo | September 26, 2007 11:42 AM
Dear Laura,
Nice manifesto, I will use parts of this for our own library in The Netherlands!
GL
Posted by: geld lenen | December 16, 2007 08:33 AM
Brilliant - have passed it on to all my staff and senior management.
Posted by: Rachel Neumann | December 18, 2007 06:53 PM
Great one Laura!
Will test it too for some parts of our own libary in Rotterdam. Thanks alot!
Roger
Posted by: adsl | February 3, 2008 06:54 AM