Awakening from the slumber...

Tomorrow, I will be attending the Northeast Chapter Conference of the Ohio Library Council. I'm looking forward to this since I always enjoy learning new things and finding ways to enhance my skills. Another librarian will be going with me and this afternoon, we'll figure out which sessions we would like to attend. I'm leaning towards some of the management track sessions along with the marketing and technology divisions. Unfortunately, I can't clone myself in time to attend all of the sessions.

As I was flipping through the program booklet, I found a rather disturbing program entitled, "What Would Rip VanWinkle Think?" The program aims to dissuade people from incorporating Library 2.0 tools within their library. Program description: "This program will explore Ragademanndoh's 7 Principles of Library Technology and explore why your library should not have a blog, not a MySpace or a Flickr account. Participants will learn why a hand-written sign on the door is more effective than a Web page and other ways to apply Ragademanndoh's 7 Principles in your library."
Even the title invokes an image of a fumbling old man that is confused by the Information Age. To some, this may be an obstacle to service while others, like myself, see this as an opportunity for teachable moments. I encounter Rip VanWinkle and Rita VanWinkle types nearly every day. Some cannot be bothered to learn new tools while others see the benefits of and are eager to incorporate technology into their daily lives. Reaching out to both camps is important and vital to ensure that patrons' information needs are being met.

I've done a cursory search on the Internet and attempted to look Ragademanndoh up in EBSCOHost. Unfortunately, the only results for this person have been pointing to the program description on the OLC website. Who the heck is Ragademanndoh and why is s/he against technology?

I surely hope this program is done tongue in cheek. There are too many librarians that feel that we should not utilize tools of technology. I understand the fear of embracing new tools and could easily understand the perception that libraries are simply jumping on any and all bandwagons with the banner of technology emblazoned on the side. The thing is, if libraries are to remain a vital part of communities, they need to be anticipating different ways to reach their audiences. Our future Friends of the Library (and some current) are blogging and utilizing social networking tools. To borrow a few phrases from the business world, libraries need to be concerned about increasing our market share and staying ahead of the curve. While a handwritten sign is fine and dandy, it only works when the patrons are in the building.

I feel as if Jim Mann (the presenter) should read the Librarian's 2.0 Manifesto. Most library mission statements discuss providing access to materials and resources but most importantly, information is our currency. I fear that if libraries do not make the effort to reach out to patrons and market their services, we will be viewed as antiquated, provincial and obsolete. We already face this perception with numerous city and state governments that seek to cut our funding based on the thought that "No one goes to the library anymore." For some communities, that may be true and that's something we ought to change. Either way, reaching out to those patrons that do not set foot inside of our doors is essential to our survival and for better or for worse, technology and all of its mysterious trappings (social networking, blogging, wikis, etc.) aids us in that goal.

I plan on contacting Mr. Mann since this program is not offered at the Northeast Chapter Conference. I would hope that he has extensive research to back up these ideas. It seems to me that the confluence of technology and libraries are a perfect match and it boggles my mind when I hear otherwise. I look forward to hearing from him.