tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512589253409898521.post5285289156055359057..comments2023-09-01T18:06:57.643+10:00Comments on NSW Reference & Information Services Group: If Libraries=Books, Then Where to Now?NSW Reference and Information Services Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009359017665955518noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512589253409898521.post-86909829991257263642009-08-03T16:09:36.565+10:002009-08-03T16:09:36.565+10:00Martin
Thank you for highlighting this blog post a...Martin<br />Thank you for highlighting this blog post and for writing your blog post about it. It is interesting to look at in relation to the research for the Scenarios for the future of public libraries project which is going on at present.<br /><br />I think your description in the final paragraph (of a collection-less space) is not of a library. A collection, whether onsite or off, online or off, for reading/watching /listening would seem to be a critical factor in a library actually being a library. <br /><br />Without a collection the space would still be a valuable community forum, but it would be something else - a community centre, a self help group, a philosophy discussion space - and not a library.<br /><br />The collection can be in a variety of formats (including digital), but library and collection (or access to a collection which library staff have contributed to the organisation and selection of) are paired. If we move to a post-collection world we might find ourselves in a post-library world.<br /><br />I think there are ways to meld collections and other aspects to keep both areas relevant to the community. I am interested in libraries who are using games to help people learn about reference and information services - there are a few libraries exploring this. I think there is a place for games and readers advisory work as well - and this brings in a more book based element. <br /><br />From another perspective the online game of World of Warcraft (with over 11 million subscribers each month) features libraries and book collections within it, and relies on people being able to read to play the game.Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10240304868438238847noreply@blogger.com