I think Graham’s question is best – is a library still a library without physical space? And this is where I would argue the answer is no. As a public librarian the physical space of the library is absolutely vital. It is truly the only “public” space our communities have got left. I would challenge anyone to suggest otherwise. And while I do believe there is value in online communities, it does not and never will be able to replace the meeting people in the flesh.

My point here is just that it’s possible to have a model where electronic resources are as accessible as physical resources. But you’re right: this isn’t the case in many libraries, and I’m sure in the future many copyright holders will fight to keep non-students from using the electronic collections of university libraries.

I think this comes to mind, because despite how I feel about libraries and the community that they inspire, there possibly is no real answer to my question. You’ve raised some interesting points, Graham. I just wonder whether we can sort out access issues with copyright with ownership etc etc to be able to get there, and how long the sorting out will take.

In my example of the Inforum still being a space that I use, I am using it in the only way available to me. Alumni are permitted borrowing cards, but for the physical collection only (I can’t use the computers, the study rooms, the labs, the electronic resources, not even the wifi – please don’t misunderstand, I completely understand the reasoning behind these). But I can still borrow the books.

I would say the bigger question is whether a library is still a library without a physical space. At the moment, the only true virtual libraries I know of are special libraries, where a librarian serves clients strictly online. In this case you would probably lose the community aspect, and then it might be fair to say it’s no longer a library. But even then, it might be possible to have some kind of community engagement through message boards and live chatting – story time via Skype wouldn’t be quite the same, but it could be more interesting for a child than simply reading a book by herself. Perhaps over time our concept of “space” will broaden to include virtual space as well as physical space.

-Chris

Thank you so much for having the nerve! (I totally get it). I am really appreciating the feedback that I am getting on this post (see it on the Re:Generations Blog, too!). It’s hard to keep their attention, and even harder when they don’t necessarily value what they are being taught (yet).

Glad to have you reading! Maybe we can turn you to the darkside (i.e. lieberrianship!) yet!

Kim

I love this idea of using funny devices not only to convey a point but to, at the very least, get them to look in the direction of the instructor. I’ve chaperoned many a composition class during their library sessions, and I feel so utterly bad for those librarians that can’t get the attention of my sleepiest, laziest, more-important-than-college-libraries-est students. What I love about your method that you describe here is that it takes advantage of one really great potential detriment: it can be applied to different classes across the board (with mixed results of effectiveness, sure) without having a pre-established chemistry or rapport with the students. It must be extremely daunting and challenging to work with a new set of students for these sessions, establish yourself as the day’s authority figure, and require from them that they pay attention and take you seriously. Well done for breaking through that barrier! One of my university librarians here passes around a bucket filled to the brim with candy throughout the entire class period–my students would sit there, hyped up on sugar, shouting out research topics. It was effective…and neither she nor I had to deal with them when they were little sugar-coma zombies. Win-win!

Thanks for sharing this method! I have to teach the MLA style today…maybe I’ll rework my handout to include some humorous elements, too….