Library Stuff

Newsday – “With on-demand publishing, many are realizing their dream with limited number of copies.”

As Walt has proved, this works!

Because he blogs stuff like this: “The most damaging thing most public libraries could do is to attempt to get rid of the “places of books” core image in favor of–well, of whatever. Building on, expanding, diversifying: Great. Abandoning or trivializing that role: Suicidal.”

Congrats Walt!

Walt Crawford – “So for now I’m gainfully unemployed.”

But, there is more work down the pike for Walt. As he eludes to in the next few sentenced.

He says: “Balance is not a sexy idea, but Crawford helps makes sense of the debate, showing how both change and stasis can be troublesome for libraries, providing a fresh take on the timeless wisdom that technology must serve library the mission, not the reverse.”

Walt Crawford (Who points out that he is not a librarian…again) – “Rankings are fun, we’re going to get “graded” whether we like it or not, and it’s also all a little silly. But fun.”

Walt – You’re a librarian. Sorry to break it to ya. MLS or not. You ARE a librarian.

Walt blogs more about his new book.

Walt Crawford – “The second Cites & Insights Book will appear Real Soon Now: A survey of current English-language public library blogs, mostly consisting of profiles of the blogs themselves.”

252 of them, to be exact. Wow!!

You would think that Walt has paid me off with a copy of his latest book in return for my blogging about him so much lately, but I just had to link to his post on the spam that getting into Meebo Rooms, plus reprint this quote:

“Postscript at the next coffee break: A new password-protected room has been created. In the real world, I don’t much want to live in a gated community (and we don’t). But in the real world, you don’t get people storming through neighborhoods at 60mph throwing bags of…well, whatever…onto every window once an hour, or there would be a lot more gated communities.”

Too funny Walt. If life/work wasn’t so busy lately (I’ve been up after 12:30AM for the past 3 weeks or so), I’d be all over the LSW Meebo room. Alas, I’m not, but will hopefully join soon.

Disclaimer – Disclaimers are for egomaniacs. Get over yourself.

I read everything that Walt Crawford writes.  He is one of the reasons why I became a librarian (so blame him – heh).

Anyway, Walt’s out with a new book that I can’t wait to read:

Balanced Libraries: Thoughts on Continunity and Change

"A library system that stands still is unbalanced and headed for trouble. A library staff obsessed with Hot New Things and aiming for new users at the expense of familiar services and existing patrons is unbalanced and headed for trouble. Very few libraries fall into either extreme, but sometimes it seems as though we’re urged toward one extreme. This book grew, indirectly, out of discussions surrounding and emanating from “Library 2.0”—the ideas, the set of initiatives and the term itself. I believe those discussions have shifted toward more balanced approaches. This book aims to develop and continue those discussions. It is divided into three sections, not including the first and last two chapters. Three chapters discuss the library and its community. Four chapters discuss barriers to change. The remainder of the book discusses positive aspects of change."

Whoa!