I applaud Ann Joslin and the Idaho State Library staff for shepherding us to the 2020 Vision conference. While in my last post I was trudging the roads of reality I am now looking forward to engaging in thinking, brainstorming, discussing, and being challenged by colleagues as we ponder the future of libraries.

Having worked, as a professional, in high school, academic, and public libraries I know that there are many differences in our respective missions. However, in spite of the differences, we are all trying to get appropriate information to our users.

In my preparation for this conference I read Greg Bear’s “Darwin’s Radio.” What I got from the book was that adaptations to an environment will happen whether we like it or not. We can either embrace the change or find it hideous and try to hide it away from public view. I would like to think that I fall into the “embracing” reaction but the uncomfortable reality is that all too often I see things through my “hideous” eyes.

I challenge us (mostly me) to look to the possibilities of our respective futures as we continue to prepare for the conference. It does no good to market blocks of ice when people are clearly moving to electric refrigerators! Yes, we have people with ice boxes and must continue to service them but if we don’t find a way to somehow retool to accomodate electricity we will find ourselves out of business.

I know one of the criticisms of the last Futures process was that the final product got a “oh, this is nice” reaction and was promptly put on the shelf. I think we, as participants in the conference, have a responsibility to think outside the box, challenge ourselves, but accept that we do have a responsibility to give the Think Tank good material to work with as they try to forge a document that will be USEFUL to all the libraries in Idaho.

Well, my stream of consciousness thinking has run its course. I look forward to spending a couple of intense and immensely fulfilling days with everyone during the upcoming 2020 Vision conference .