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Approved-By:  Diane Kovacs <DKOVACS@KENTVM.KENT.EDU>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.libref-l
Date:         Sat, 23 Jan 1993 16:12:07 EDT
Reply-To:     Larry Schankman
              <lschank%grits.valdosta.peachnet.edu@Kentvm.Kent.edu>
From:         Larry Schankman
              <lschank%grits.valdosta.peachnet.edu@Kentvm.Kent.edu>
Subject:      Re: Use of the Internet in reference service
Comments: To: libref-l@kentvm.kent.edu

----------------------------Original message----------------------------


On Fri, 22 Jan 1993 zane_clark%csufresno.edu@Kentvm.Kent.edu wrote in
reply to Larry Schankman's remarks concerning resentment towards Internet
users:

>      Unfortunately Larry,  you are not alone in this seeming
> 'paranoia' concerning the use of the Internet.  I wonder if it could
> be a fear of the unknown?  If this is the case how can we help them to
> 'know' in order to obviate their fears? ...
>
>  I am going to try something with the library
> faculty to see if I can get them interested in 'networking.'  I have
> just downloaded and printed the 'listserv' annotated list of
> conferences.  I am going to make an abbreviated index to it to
> facilitate it's use.  I am also going to find appropriate e-mail
> conferences for various depaartments in the library and send them the
> information on how to subscribe, and also let them know that their are
> over 800 conferences to choose from.  Maybe I can make a few converts
> this way.

Zane, this effort of yours sounds __GREAT__.  As Instruction Coordinator
you have the ability to incorporate internet into BI (either as a separate
session or as part of general BI).  But what do the rest of us do who are
not coordinators and cannot convince management to take new technology
seriously?  For those who go through with it, however, my compliments.

As for the first point, this is a bigger challenge. Unfortunately, I fear
that there is a dangerous reactionary fringe in our profession, and I've
seen this everywhere. To many, the suggestion that they should learn new
technologies, skills, or even sources of (print) information is seen as
condescending, provocative and insulting.  They feel perfectly
comfortable with their present ken of knowledge, and perhaps, quite
comfortable with their present level of public service (the ethic that
the patron gets what's easily available, and nothing else -- and they
should be happy for that much).

Perhaps this resentment directly relates to the number of years the
suggestor has on the job (i.e. years out of Library School).  But this
raises an entirely different issue which concerns me: the comparison of
the net worth of obsolete experience (quantity) to a good working
knowledge of emerging technologies and new sources (quality). But this
issue is probably inflammatory and not relevant here.  [editorial ?]

As an example, on the night of Clinton's inauguration several nodes made
the text of his speech available. Now most librarians would feel perfectly
fine should the question arise and they answer: sorry we can't help you.
But informing those librarians that the text is available via Internet not
only makes them feel badly for not knowing the source, but worse, raises
an entirely squirmish moral issue: the next time the question arises,
should they admit to the patron that they do not know how to access that
text (thus appearing less than competent); should they try to learn how to
access it themselves (with the obvious need for learning a new skill which
they may not wish to dedicate time towards); or should they simply deny
the text altogether thus avoiding the issue completely.

What frightens me about this profession is that I've known several
librarians who not only practice the latter method of *public service*,
but would actually resent anyone who suggested the use of the Internet (or
any new source) in the first place.  After all, such information has
forced them into the dilemma of choosing to learn a new skill or declining
to help a patron (knowing that help was available -- whereas before they
would have declined with a perfectly clear conscience).


I realize I'm a bit cynical, but I have this burning passion for servicing
the patron, in the most timely manner. I further believe that as
*professional information specialists* we should constantly and regularly
sharpen our skills to assure such service. Hence, the Internet for reference.

I welcome further discussion.

Larry Schankman
Valdosta State College
E-Mail: lschank@grits.valdosta.peachnet.edu
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU