Comments on: The following takes place between 12 AM and 1 AM http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/ A library-geek blog Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:16:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: The OPLIN 4cast » Blog Archive » OPLIN 4cast #53 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-234492 The OPLIN 4cast » Blog Archive » OPLIN 4cast #53 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:01:58 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-234492 [...] The following takes place between 12AM and 1AM (blyberg.net) [...] […] The following takes place between 12AM and 1AM (blyberg.net) […]

]]> By: Live from the LC » lessons from blyberg and lessig http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-169133 Live from the LC » lessons from blyberg and lessig Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:54:45 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-169133 [...] Blyberg nails it: I was on a top technology trends panel at OLA last January when someone asked, “what if we [...] […] Blyberg nails it: I was on a top technology trends panel at OLA last January when someone asked, “what if we […]

]]> By: Records Services 2.0: it's our job « For The Record http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-127794 Records Services 2.0: it's our job « For The Record Fri, 25 May 2007 20:06:15 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-127794 [...] I’ve been thinking a lot about a blyberg.net post that I first learned about through librarian.net: Some people also just don’t like to step out of [...] […] I’ve been thinking a lot about a blyberg.net post that I first learned about through librarian.net: Some people also just don’t like to step out of […]

]]> By: your neighborhood librarian http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-124690 your neighborhood librarian Fri, 18 May 2007 14:01:00 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-124690 Maybe the question to ask is what's the difference between Cleveland Public, an innovative system, and *your* system, which quashes all your best ideas? It's the upper-level administrators, I think. I mean, I hate to get all paternalistic, but the director sets the tone, establishes priorities, negotiates with the union, hires innovators (or doesn't). So, ok! I'm off to murder our director and replace him with Roy Tennant! (Failing that, I'm offering a Web 2.0 seminar for interested staff in the break room Sunday before we open. And unfortunately, I'm not kidding.) Maybe the question to ask is what’s the difference between Cleveland Public, an innovative system, and *your* system, which quashes all your best ideas?

It’s the upper-level administrators, I think. I mean, I hate to get all paternalistic, but the director sets the tone, establishes priorities, negotiates with the union, hires innovators (or doesn’t).

So, ok! I’m off to murder our director and replace him with Roy Tennant!

(Failing that, I’m offering a Web 2.0 seminar for interested staff in the break room Sunday before we open. And unfortunately, I’m not kidding.)

]]> By: Nick http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-121673 Nick Thu, 10 May 2007 20:23:30 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-121673 To add a naive voice into the mix, the problem I've seen at libraries isn't entitlement, it's fear. A lot of people don't like change because they don't really think they can deal with it. They shudder at the thought of remember more than five different passwords, and think of technology as HAL. And as long as that attitude is allowed to fester, that'll poison the well of innovation. Plus the corporate mindset that a few libraries operate on does not help this fear. You cannot simply take a few classes to know everything that an operating system has to offer. Most of those 'classes' are just glorified days off in which people are handed packets they'll lose five minutes after they leave. The only real way to know technology is to get your hands dirty and deal with it. The more you know a system is often parallel to how long you have used a system. And nobody nowadays wants to get their hands dirty or even displays curiosity on how such a vital part of their job--that would easily make their day or break it--works. To add a naive voice into the mix, the problem I’ve seen at libraries isn’t entitlement, it’s fear. A lot of people don’t like change because they don’t really think they can deal with it. They shudder at the thought of remember more than five different passwords, and think of technology as HAL. And as long as that attitude is allowed to fester, that’ll poison the well of innovation.

Plus the corporate mindset that a few libraries operate on does not help this fear. You cannot simply take a few classes to know everything that an operating system has to offer. Most of those ‘classes’ are just glorified days off in which people are handed packets they’ll lose five minutes after they leave. The only real way to know technology is to get your hands dirty and deal with it. The more you know a system is often parallel to how long you have used a system. And nobody nowadays wants to get their hands dirty or even displays curiosity on how such a vital part of their job–that would easily make their day or break it–works.

]]> By: Chris http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-121239 Chris Wed, 09 May 2007 16:54:06 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-121239 Actually, when I read your post, I agreed with it. I was responding more to the attitude in the comments like Emily's, that co-workers are more of the problem. About "adapting to a changing set of expectations from our users" - I am going to have to think about that some more. I have seen in libraries a kind of "all bets are off" attitude, where we can do anything! Can we be a social service agency? Sure! Why not? An after school care provider? Let's give it a try! A Kinko's? Okay!! But guess what? No organization can be everything to everyone. I say we remember what we're good at and apply those services. Does that make me a Library Luddite? I'm not sure yet - I am trying to have an open mind while at the same time figuring out how to sustain the services we already provide and adjust to changing expectations. I was talking to a colleague who mentioned that there is a library out there offering RSS feeds of library books just returned by other customers. To me, that is a great idea AND an application of a traditional library service in a new medium. Should we be doing more of that? Most definitely!! So I'm not saying that libraries shouldn't adapt - I'm saying we shouldn't stray too much from our identity. Actually, when I read your post, I agreed with it. I was responding more to the attitude in the comments like Emily’s, that co-workers are more of the problem.
About “adapting to a changing set of expectations from our users” - I am going to have to think about that some more. I have seen in libraries a kind of “all bets are off” attitude, where we can do anything! Can we be a social service agency? Sure! Why not? An after school care provider? Let’s give it a try! A Kinko’s? Okay!! But guess what? No organization can be everything to everyone. I say we remember what we’re good at and apply those services. Does that make me a Library Luddite? I’m not sure yet - I am trying to have an open mind while at the same time figuring out how to sustain the services we already provide and adjust to changing expectations. I was talking to a colleague who mentioned that there is a library out there offering RSS feeds of library books just returned by other customers. To me, that is a great idea AND an application of a traditional library service in a new medium. Should we be doing more of that? Most definitely!! So I’m not saying that libraries shouldn’t adapt - I’m saying we shouldn’t stray too much from our identity.

]]> By: john http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-120977 john Wed, 09 May 2007 02:10:29 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-120977 Cheri, You're right, I'm generalizing terribly and for that I apologize. In fact, my previous place of employment, <a href="http://www.aadl.org/" rel="nofollow">AADL</a>, is a union workplace and it's filled with wonderfully hard working people and I think AADL's reputation for innovation and creativity speaks for itself. I guess my point, which is now wildly vectoring off on a tangent from the gist of this discussion, is that in some cases union leadership forgets that the company-union relationship needs to be mutually beneficial. Of course, "the company" often forgets that too. So if that relationship breaks down, the entire system breaks down. Chris, To be honest, I'm not sure where my quote and your comments intersect. For that matter, I don't think anyone is mocking anyone. You're correct, I think, in identifying a cultural difference. I've given that divide a <a href="/2006/03/08/from-tech-to-tome-spanning-the-gulf/" rel="nofollow">fair amount of thought</a>, and take it very seriously. But like my quote suggests, this discussion is more about entrenched leadership stifling innovation and what to do about it. This isn't even a discussion about computers and technology, per se. The correct question to ask is, "Why do great ideas get ignored in our libraries?" and "How do I get my great idea to see the light of day?" I'm not making up the fact that there is a lot of frustration with the pace of change among the rear guard in libraries--this post is actually in response to it. Maybe we differ in the fact that I believe that if libraries don't adapt to a changing set of expectations from our users, they'll become anachronisms and you don't. I think that divide, in itself, bears some examining. Cheri, You’re right, I’m generalizing terribly and for that I apologize. In fact, my previous place of employment, AADL, is a union workplace and it’s filled with wonderfully hard working people and I think AADL’s reputation for innovation and creativity speaks for itself. I guess my point, which is now wildly vectoring off on a tangent from the gist of this discussion, is that in some cases union leadership forgets that the company-union relationship needs to be mutually beneficial. Of course, “the company” often forgets that too. So if that relationship breaks down, the entire system breaks down.

Chris, To be honest, I’m not sure where my quote and your comments intersect. For that matter, I don’t think anyone is mocking anyone. You’re correct, I think, in identifying a cultural difference. I’ve given that divide a fair amount of thought, and take it very seriously. But like my quote suggests, this discussion is more about entrenched leadership stifling innovation and what to do about it. This isn’t even a discussion about computers and technology, per se. The correct question to ask is, “Why do great ideas get ignored in our libraries?” and “How do I get my great idea to see the light of day?” I’m not making up the fact that there is a lot of frustration with the pace of change among the rear guard in libraries–this post is actually in response to it.

Maybe we differ in the fact that I believe that if libraries don’t adapt to a changing set of expectations from our users, they’ll become anachronisms and you don’t. I think that divide, in itself, bears some examining.

]]> By: Chris http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-120778 Chris Tue, 08 May 2007 14:00:07 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-120778 "This is really a discussion about innovation and good ideas being ignored or discouraged." This comment dialogue keeps nagging at my subconscious. I think what is really going on is a clash of cultures - between computer people and book people, to put it in very simplistic terms (I'm sure some will balk at this.) I remember in library school, back in the Stone Age (the late 1980's), at some lecture, this computer guy just scoffing at end users like they were some kind of Neanderthals. That has always stuck with me. I think innovators should think about why the innovation matters. Make the goal meaningful to end users. Don't mock them because they aren't members of your elite superhero club. True leaders are innovators who can communicate to everyone in the organization why the change you are proposing is worthwhile. “This is really a discussion about innovation and good ideas being ignored or discouraged.”
This comment dialogue keeps nagging at my subconscious. I think what is really going on is a clash of cultures - between computer people and book people, to put it in very simplistic terms (I’m sure some will balk at this.) I remember in library school, back in the Stone Age (the late 1980’s), at some lecture, this computer guy just scoffing at end users like they were some kind of Neanderthals. That has always stuck with me. I think innovators should think about why the innovation matters. Make the goal meaningful to end users. Don’t mock them because they aren’t members of your elite superhero club. True leaders are innovators who can communicate to everyone in the organization why the change you are proposing is worthwhile.

]]> By: Cheri http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-120307 Cheri Mon, 07 May 2007 00:49:07 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-120307 John - before you speak further on how unions hinder creativity & innovation in libraries, please consider that many of the libraries which are supposedly "stifling" their employees' creativity & innovation are almost certainly not unionized. The vast majority of public libraries in this country are not unionized. However, the Cuyahoga County PL system in Ohio is considered to be on the cutting edge of public library services - and they've been unionized (SEIU, if it matters) for at least the last two decades. Hasn't gotten in their way, has it? Cleveland Public? Also unionized, and on the cutting edge of public library services. John - before you speak further on how unions hinder creativity & innovation in libraries, please consider that many of the libraries which are supposedly “stifling” their employees’ creativity & innovation are almost certainly not unionized. The vast majority of public libraries in this country are not unionized.

However, the Cuyahoga County PL system in Ohio is considered to be on the cutting edge of public library services - and they’ve been unionized (SEIU, if it matters) for at least the last two decades. Hasn’t gotten in their way, has it? Cleveland Public? Also unionized, and on the cutting edge of public library services.

]]> By: ACPL’s Innovation through Technology » Blog Archive » John Blyberg’s post about CIL 2007 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-119640 ACPL’s Innovation through Technology » Blog Archive » John Blyberg’s post about CIL 2007 Fri, 04 May 2007 21:07:46 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-119640 [...] Click here for post [...] […] Click here for post […]

]]> By: Sean Robinson http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-119637 Sean Robinson Fri, 04 May 2007 21:02:34 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-119637 I love this post! I think it really captures the thoughts of those who are trying to innovative and expand library services. I think David is correct in his observation at CIL 2007. There is a large groups of people who are having theirs thoughts and ideas minimalized and they are very very frustrated. ~Sean I love this post! I think it really captures the thoughts of those who are trying to innovative and expand library services. I think David is correct in his observation at CIL 2007. There is a large groups of people who are having theirs thoughts and ideas minimalized and they are very very frustrated.

~Sean

]]> By: john http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-119419 john Thu, 03 May 2007 23:07:34 +0000 http://www.blyberg.net/2007/04/27/the-following-takes-place-between-12-am-and-1-am/#comment-119419 Thanks for your thoughts. I disagree, however, that our jobs are not to innovate. You're absolutely correct, Chris, that our primary objective is to help people get the information they need, but the way we do that cannot remain the same. It can't because the world of information has changed and is continuing to change. So, the fact that many libraries are not listening to their innovators is, like Dave points out, a very disturbing trend. It's compounded by the fact that these are institutions where individuals are ready and willing to step up. Also, I'm fairly certain that I didn't mention Library 2.0 or Web 2.0 (with the exception of filing under the Web 2.0 category). That was on purpose. This is really a discussion about innovation and good ideas being ignored or discouraged. I don't see the relevance of blue vs. white collar communities here other than to say that both types of communities require their own specific brand of innovation. I can't speak to how effective unions are in preserving jobs and salaries, but, in general, their primary concern is definitely not the welfare and effectiveness of libraries. It's important that all staff members be paid what they're worth, and have their wellbeing taken care of. When unions step in and tell libraries what they can and cannot ask of their employees, however (as in the testimonial earlier), they cross the line. That's a cop out to justify laziness and complacency. Thanks for your thoughts. I disagree, however, that our jobs are not to innovate. You’re absolutely correct, Chris, that our primary objective is to help people get the information they need, but the way we do that cannot remain the same. It can’t because the world of information has changed and is continuing to change. So, the fact that many libraries are not listening to their innovators is, like Dave points out, a very disturbing trend. It’s compounded by the fact that these are institutions where individuals are ready and willing to step up.

Also, I’m fairly certain that I didn’t mention Library 2.0 or Web 2.0 (with the exception of filing under the Web 2.0 category). That was on purpose. This is really a discussion about innovation and good ideas being ignored or discouraged. I don’t see the relevance of blue vs. white collar communities here other than to say that both types of communities require their own specific brand of innovation.

I can’t speak to how effective unions are in preserving jobs and salaries, but, in general, their primary concern is definitely not the welfare and effectiveness of libraries. It’s important that all staff members be paid what they’re worth, and have their wellbeing taken care of. When unions step in and tell libraries what they can and cannot ask of their employees, however (as in the testimonial earlier), they cross the line. That’s a cop out to justify laziness and complacency.

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