Technology Vision. Technology Power. Your Library.
Yowsa – I am probably the slowest blogger around. Lots of excellent things have been happening since my last post — here’s one: a webinar I did for Demco exploring the basics of the library as a place of creation rather than just consumption. Take a look!
When Neil Young takes a moment to be photographed holding up the library symbol after using the South by Southwest (SXSW) platform to launch his new high-quality music service, you know libraries are held in high esteem throughout our culture.
How did this happen? Two factors converged at the conference known for convergence – a growing and organized library presence at SXSW, and the fortune of being in the right place at the right time to advocate.
After his presentation on Pono in Austin (within a day his kickstarter fundraising/engagement campaign blew past its modest goals and has now raised millions) Mr. Young briefly signed autographs and shook hands with the crowd rushing the stage. I asked if he would allow me to take a picture of him holding up the library symbol. He studied the symbol for less than a second, nodded, and held it up for the shot.
While this picture is a highlight, it is only one of many amazing outcomes. Watch this space for more on the growing library involvement at the conference through a scrappy volunteer organization that I’ve helped coordinate (along with a handful of other incredible library people) called #sxswLAM – Libraries, Archives, Museums as well as partner organizations such as the American Library Association (ALA), The Public Library Association (PLA), the #ideadrophouse, EveryLibrary, Urban Libraries Unite (ULU), the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), and the Digital Library Federation; as well as vendors including Innovative Interfaces Inc., Mobile Beacon, Proquest and others.
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I love driving in Colorado – even during the winter months. Especially during the winter months! Yesterday I kicked off the first of eleven site visits to rural Colorado libraries with a drive to the Redfeather Lakes Community Library. It had snowed the day before – and through my front window I took in the beauty of late fall/early winter Colorado.
These network assessments — for the Colorado State Library, and funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — are designed to help libraries have a better understanding of their Internet connections, their local network and associated technologies to continue serving the public with access to computers and the Internet. The assessments will also help libraries understand their connectivity options, as well as ways to make the best use of their technology resources.
The drive yesterday took me back to my roots — years ago I worked for the High Plains Regional Library Service System in Colorado (one of seven regional systems — since replaced by the most excellent Colorado Library Consortium – or CLiC) and I spent many hours logging miles and seeing the beautiful state across the dashboard. Yesterday was like slipping back in time in the best possible way.
Another thing that was unchanged was the warm welcome from library staff — and seeing just how important rural libraries are to the fabric of the community.
My favorite photo is below. Due to the lack of access in the mountains, Redfeather encourages patrons to connect to the Internet whenever they happen to make it into the tiny town. Free wireless access is available from the parking lot – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For some residents, it’s their only option.
Internet access for people in rural areas is an essential part of modern life. Sometimes the library is their only connection to the networked world.
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has released a provocative trend report. The report is intended as a conversation-starter into 2014 — so it’s not a static report but a spark for a living process over the next year or so.
The trends?
If you work in a library or for libraries, this is something I think you will want to explore — and even get involved in. If you do, please share your experiences!
I’m helping two public libraries recruit for technology positions in Toledo OH (Virtual Services Coordinator) and Tacoma WA (IT Manager).
Virtual Services Coordinator in Toledo, OH
Do you want to harness the talent at the Toledo-Lucas Public Library to break new ground in Virtual Services? Become its first-ever Virtual Services Coordinator! Your strong technology vision and excellent communication skills are valued here! Salary range: 70’s to 100’s depending on experience.
IT Manager in Tacoma, WA
Love managing library IT? Love the northwestern US lifestyle? The Tacoma Public Library is hiring an IT Manager to lead an excellent IT staff in delivering customer-driven solutions in a supportive environment. Salary range is $80k – $97k.
If you are interested in either of these positions I would love to talk. Nothing formal — just a chat to touch base. Please get in touch and we will set it up! http://carsonblock.com/contact
Well *this* was fun! New Zealand librarian Corin Haines (who is also an emerging leader in the Gates Foundation INELI program) interviewed me for his “Library Chat” podcast. We talked about eBooks, publishing and innovation. And laughed a lot!
Even though we were halfway around the world from each other, the conversation felt like we were sitting in the same room together.
In related news, a study I conducted for the State of Arizona to investigate current “library as publisher” eBook models has been released. The working name for the Arizona effort is “DAZL” – for Digital Arizona Library.
If you are curious about some of the technical details of the “Douglas County Model” ) for library eBook publishing (pioneered by DCL, Marmot Libraries, and others in Colorado) I think you will find the report worthwhile. You can download the environmental scan report (including an analysis of technology configurations, estimated project costs and recommendations) or browse related project files (including other reports, including overall DAZL program recommendations) here.
Libraries will have a strong presence again this year at the South by SouthWest Interactive (SXSWi) conference – I will be joining Andrea Davis to host a “Core Conversation” entitled “Libraries: The Ultimate Playground.”
We have a nice preview write-up on the Razorfish blog.
And check out the lineup at a brand-new library thing called the #ideadrophouse.
Yowsa — libraries loud & proud at SXSW!
2013, that is!
As we embrace the new I’m thankful for so much — and especially all of the excellent people I’ve been fortunate enough to work with. The projects have been stimulating and satisfying — from facilities master planning, technology planning, tech assessments, coaching, keynote speeches at conferences, teaching, and other activities. But the real joy has been working with so many outstanding people, all across the country.
As libraries face some of the greatest challenges in their histories, they are also in some very good hands.
Experienced librarians are using their wisdom and knowledge to navigate through the murky waters of eMaterials and remind us that although formats change, the core mission of the public library — connecting people to information, ideas and enrichment as a public-funded good — endures.
New generations of librarians are entering the profession with a native understanding of digital formats, multiple modes of communication and the power of customer service. These librarians are asking all of the right questions — and with the spirit and energy to “make it happen” or #mih.
The combination of these elements makes me feel very lucky indeed.
Here’s to you, and to all the best in 2013!
It was such an excellent time presenting at TEDx FoCo in September – I had the opportunity to speak to a non-library audience about some of the challenges libraries are facing today. It’s a TED-style version of the talk I did at SXSWi (called “The Great Library Swindle: Your Rights Are at Risk”) earlier this year, and a little more relaxed than the Ignite talk I did on the same subject.
The day was full of excellent presentations – go to the TEDx FoCo site to see them all!
Have you heard of the Digital Public Library of America? If not, this is a great time to get acquainted. As a member of the Audience & Participation workstream, I attended two days of DPLA meetings in Chicago on October 11-12.
One goal of the DPLA is to take content that already exists – especially rich archives of local history that have been digitized across the country — and make it easy to discover and use for people all over the world, whether they are using a computer or a mobile device.
The DPLA is also creating a structure that will make it easier for libraries, museums and other cultural heritage groups across the country — both big and small — to make their unique and historic treasures available to the world.
With a major new funding grant from the Knight Foundation , a newly seated board of directors, and hundreds of highly-energized volunteers, the DPLA is on track to release a the first version of the DPLA platform in Spring 2012.
The DPLA is also looking for its first Executive Director. As one participant put it, someone who wants to get up every morning and ask themselves “How will I help change the world *today*?” Are you as excited about this as I am? If so, please submit your suggestions to the DPLA!
