Being part of the “Echo Boom” generation (a new and exciting term for me), I feel pretty confident with using most technology. However, I’m still “blogger illiterate” (another new term), so please bear with me.
The information we’ve covered over the past couple of weeks has opened my eyes to the “invisible work” and commitment of a reference librarian. I didn’t think that the internet would replace the librarian, but now I KNOW it can’t. The internet is an amazing virtual tool, but the librarian is the one who manipulates that tool, and helps others to use it to be as successful as possible.
The library I usually go to (Cerritos Library) offers so much more than one would expect. And the various librarians are always available to assist with every aspect (Children’s Young Adult, Movies, Magazines, Computers, Reference, etc.). The information I’ve gained this week has given me insight to why librarians ask the questions they do and spend varying amounts of time with each patron.
Looking for ward to week 4!
2 comments:
Greg, I agree with you completely that the Internet cannot replace the librarian. I would compare the search quality of general library patron on the Internet to a librarian with the quality of a news source.
Some people find and get their "news" from blog sites, while others read actual newspapers. I get my news from the New York Times online, not the Drudge Report or Fox News, so I know that the news stories I read are based on facts, not biased speculation.
Anyone can do a search on the Internet, but it's not the same as research. Getting information from a trusted source (with the help from a librarian) will always be more valuable, in my opinion, then surfing through the turbulent waters of the Internet.
Hey Greg let me just say that the Cerritos Library is beautiful and the Librarians their are very helpful. They actually do notice you and if you so happen to walk up to one of them they will not forget to do an interview. A face to face interview is always better than working from your computer to get information that might not be as valuable.
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