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Document Sample
The Future for
Solo Librarians
Olga B. Wise
Compaq Computer Corp.
SW Regional Conference
San Diego, CA April 5-7, 2000
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 1
When you leave this short
seminar today, I hope you
will have:
New energy for your job. -Cheer
leading.
New ideas for improving your job.
Some new colleagues with whom
you can share your ideas.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 2
My presentation
approach:
I want a dialogue. Let’s discuss.
Let’s interrupt!
I don’t need to hear my
monologue. I want to hear from
you - I want to have you question
my assumptions.
We all need new insight into old
truths.
Difficult concepts are fun.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 3
Today we will discuss:
Solos in their current working
environment
Challenges to Solos.
Positive signs for Solos.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 4
Before we go any further
let’s talk about:
You and your library
The best part of your job!
What gets to you most as you work
each day!
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 5
Why Solos are special:
They accomplish magic alone!
They are able to juggle time,
money and energy!
Change does not scare them -
most of the time!
They’re not whiners - too time
consuming.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 6
Usually Solos are good
at:
Managing both up and down.
Recruiting advocates.
Finding partners within the
organization.
Learning new skills and applying
them.
Anticipating demands.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 7
Solos also are:
The point person in their
organization for:
print resources
digital resources
knowledge about the organization
knowledge about everything else
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 8
Technology truisms:
Technological change is rapid.
Internets/intranets are changing
our work.
E-books will change it even more.
Solos will have to work hard to
define themselves within the new
technologies.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 9
Dated concepts that
won’t die :
That old discussion - libraries and
librarians are dead.
Remember what Twain said: “The
reports of my death are greatly
exaggerated.”
Naïve thought from management
that technology should replace us.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 10
So why do I talk about
the future?
I know that Inter-/intranet developments
sometimes make me feel that my Solo
job is endangered.
At times I have a hard time figuring out
where I should concentrate my energy,
since I have so much territory to cover.
The many demands of my job make it
increasingly difficult for me to explain my
unique function within the organization.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 11
I ask myself daily:
How is my work relevant to my
company?
How can I make my job even
better?
Did I help someone solve a
problem today?
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 12
The Solo’s challenge(s):
Remain motivated
Remain challenged without
professional peers.
Improve without pressure from
above.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 13
For example, my
company says:
Everything to the internet
Speedy execution
Leadership in Internet
infrastructure
Unstoppable - i.e. always up and
running.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 14
Modern companies want
you to be:
Ready to be virtual (Compaq’s
WebLibrary; BookPaq).
Ready to do more with less.
Ready to work fast and be self-
motivated.
Yes - Solos can do this!
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 15
My users have strong
ideas:
Everything is on the internet and I
can find it alone.
Everyone in the organization is a
database and indexing expert.
Printed materials are not
necessary since - See #1.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 16
Surviving Solos will
need to be:
Strong
Articulate
Informed
Dedicated
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 17
And if that isn’t enough,
we will also need to:
Influence Internet/Intranet content
organization and delivery
Become information media experts
(print/electronic/CD ROM etc.)
Explain ourselves well.
Position ourselves in the vanguard
as leaders not followers.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 18
We will be able to do
this because we are:
Good at working with our people.
Adept at understanding better than
anyone what our users’ information
needs are.
Able to bring a unique perspective
to information provision/delivery.
Aware of the past and can
separate hype from reality.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 19
Solos will have a primary role as
information consultants:
Teach our users techniques of
information retrieval.
Help our users become more analytical
about the information they retrieve.
Work to develop sophisticated
information users.
Only Solos have the training and skills to
teach these information skills.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 20
How to make this
happen:
Be visible - ideas?
Be an influencer - ideas?
Be creative - ideas?
Find partners - ideas?
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 21
In conclusion:
Solos are ideally positioned for the
organization of the 21st century.
Maintain constant vigilance -
defend and extend your borders!
Keep a positive attitude.
September 13, 2012 The Future for Solo Librarians 22
