First of all, I couldn't stop with only two of the articles on libraries, but after reading them all, I must admit that two in particular "jumped out at me." I related to most everything Michael Stephens said in his piece entitled "Into a new world of librarianship." I love the notion of a library as human, because this image conveys that a library is constantly changing, growing, developing, stretching, yawning, sleeping, reaching out, etc. I also acknowledge the importance of user-centered libraries that provide access wherever the patron or client or user may be at the time he/she needs information. Finally, I was encouraged by Stephens comments on technolust and techno-worship. We don't need technology for the sake of technology, but rather technology that meets the needs of our users.
The other article of real interest to me is entitled "A ripple effect." To read about what a small, rural school library has accomplished since the early 1990's was so heartening! It was also challenging -- it they can do this, can't we all? And they recognized that the key to their success could be found in providing quality customer service. Too many librarians have the "keeper of the books" mentality, instead of the "provider for the patrons" approach.
These articles gave me hope for our libraries, as long as librarians accept that libraries are ever-changing, ever-growing entities. We must look to the future of our libraries with excitement about the unlimited possibilities, rather than with fear for the changes taking place.
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