A library. What do you see in your mind’s eye when you see those words? I have worked and been in many libraries, but I still think of the one I went to as a child. It was a wondrous place. There was so much to look at: the book displays, the art exhibits, the people quietly reading at the big tables. And then when I chose a book or two or three, I thumbed through it to see the fine illustrations, the type that was used, even the smell of the book. My senses were on high alert for any and everything.

My daughter will also have fond memories of her childhood, but they will be much different than mine. She will also see fine art and appreciate the various fonts that are used, but she sees it mostly online now. She explores the world through her computer. When she is curious about a subject, her first inclination is to go online. Does she know that the place called a library exists? Well, yes, its been a part of her life, as it has been mine, but she sees it as an additional destination, not the only one.

Her future will be filled with images and ideas that come to her in a popcorn popper sort of way, instead of the toothpaste tube way that we viewed the world. We must be one of those kernels of corn that come to her when she least expects it. When she searches online, one of her choices on that google search should be her library. We will need to spend more money on marketing. The book display will catch her eye on the library’s web page, long before she enters the building. She will still want to read a paper based book. She enjoys the tactile feel of them, but she will probably read while listening to her music (in whatever format it is in), and while having her computer on for any instant messages that are coming in, as well as having her cell phone on for calls from friends.

When she goes off to college, she will treat the library there the same way. It will be one of various choices for research. Librarians will need to make sure that she understands what she can find in the college library that she might not find through a google search. She will expect that information to come to her, not for her to look for it. If its not on her computer in a place she frequents, she will probably not know about it, unless it is on tv, or the radio, or another media that she uses often. How does she know what the latest fashions are? How did she find out when Harry Potter was due out? She didn’t go to the library, the information came to her. How does Harry know where to catch the train to Hogwarts? It isn’t apparent even at the train station. He needed to be told and shown how to access the train at gate 9 3/4.

Previous postings mentioned Netflix, as an example of the media going to the user. Why not take the next step and offer a similar service from the library? Instead of loaning cds and videos, hook the user up to the library’s collection of online movies and music, along with the books from the netlibrary collection.

Well, this is my first blog. I have been reading some of the literature too, and it has me really thinking. In addition, I started back to school last year, so I am seeing the world a little bit better through the eyes of a student.

It is all so exciting. Looking forward to the conference!
Susan Mueller