Librarians New Role

Our view of libraries and Information Specialists are changing.  The physical space as well as the activities/workshops that occur between the doors have truly reflected the community.  The Central Branch in Brooklyn encourage participation from its diverse residents from birth until.  Programs such as:  "Brooklyn Read to Babies" program, Ezra Jack Keats story time where children receive free books, RIF, Tutoring, Education & Job Placements /Employment Centers, Bookmobile and Kidsmobile - going to schools, ESOL services, Multilingual Services, Business Library, Caribbean Literary Cultural Center- community based organization, featured artists, concerts/lectures at the newly renovated Dweck Theatre and other services.  Oh! I forgot the Brooklyn Collection Center where patrons can research information about Brooklyn and gather additional information from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle Newspaper online. 

Let's not forget how passionate Brooklynites are about their borough so space for participation in contemporary culture is an on-going process.  The Central Library have brought out the uniqueness of its diverse population and have created physical as well as virtual space for communication and participation.  With the library's extended hours patrons have utilized all corners and empty spaces to read, talk, research, connect and socialize.  There are nooks for interpersonal face to face communications and computer time to connect virtually to friends and family.  The reception foyer has a seating area to drink coffee, eat a sandwich or a cookie as you release the events of the day with a stranger, friend or in solitude.  There are conference tables to speak loudly where book clubs meet and discuss without the "shushes".   On an academic note, books and resources that are not available can be obtained through interlibrary loan.

With so many services and attempts to satisfy the community's need, the role of Librarians /Information Specialists must change.  There are individuals who squirm when I discuss my studies at Pratt as if they have never heard of a Masters in Library Information Science.  A knee jerk reaction is achieved on the word Science as if to say "OK, since it has something to with Science, then I guess it's alright." One of the most challenging classes I ever had at Pratt was LIS 654-Information Technology aka HTML.   I pondered the reason for such torture, but it was explained that Librarians need to be skilled in all aspects of technology and in the event they are called upon to analyze a system or construct a system that they are prepared to do so.  Okay, it makes sense now that I don't have to repeat the class but to coin a phrase or two from the Zerox Corporation, "Never , never forget the reason the organization exists", and the "way out of trouble is back to basics."

What I am actually trying to say is that libraries are change agents and for success they must make attempts to meet the cultural diversity needs of the communities in which they serve.  More than ever Public Librarians are connecting with School Librarians on ways to meet students academic, media, cultural and recreational needs.  There are school library sites that are linked directly to the public libraries sites to create a seamless search and reduce frustration of information retrieval.  Partnership also included visits, workshops and a heightened  awareness of the needs of a demanding and digital culture that cannot "wait" to be inform and be informed.

Public Librarians as well as Teachers wear various hats during the course of the day and the ones who actually make it through successfully are the ones that remain current, flexible enough to step out of the comfort zone, knowing that libraries as a repository for books is passe' digital connectivity linked to global awareness is premium.  No more "shushes" just clicks.