I’ve been offline for a while, so I didn’t notice that UC Berkeley put the webcast of my keynote online! WOW! It’s available on YouTube, but you can also download the podcast from UC Berkeley’s site if you’re not into the whole video thing. I’m embedding the YouTube video here. I start talking about 12 or 13 minutes in (there are some introductory remarks from the muckety mucks at UC). I’d love to hear what you think of my ideas — I don’t claim to have all the answers about library 2.0 or how organizations should be structured to get there — or to read your own ideas on these topics. “Library 2.0” is all about conversation — there’s no RIGHT or WRONG (at least that’s my take).
This is the first time I’ve ever seen a video of one of my talks. Other than the fact that I move back and forth way too much, it was actually better than I thought it would be. I’m not perfect — I say um and like and sometimes go off on tangents — but hopefully my enthusiasm makes up for it. Considering how much I used to tremble and sweat (think Albert Brooks in Broadcast News) when I gave a talk in front of even a few people, I consider this a very good job.
Since last Tuesday, I’ve been in South Florida visiting family and some ducks I’ve been hanging out with for years (I have this bizarre love for ducks that has existed for as long as I can remember). This is one of the first times that I’ve gone away and actually stayed away from the computer for most of the time. I don’t fly home until tomorrow, but I gave myself this day to kind of ease myself back to reality. Must admit, being out of the loop for a week was nice.
Thanksgiving isn’t a big thing in my family. We were never much for traditions and stuff, but we do the whole stuff-yourselves-with-food thing. This year, though, I really started thinking about what I’m thankful for. I realize that my life has already exceeded my expectations. I’ve accomplished so many things that I never thought I’d do in 60 years, much less 30. I’ve made great friends, both online and off. I’ve had incredible mentors. I married someone who may not be perfect in every way, but is definitely perfect for me. I can pay my bills every month. I’ve become much more confident in myself (two years ago I couldn’t even imagine giving a keynote!!!). Like everyone else, my life isn’t perfect. We all have things we’d like to change about ourselves or our surroundings. I wish I were a better writer. I wish I was one of those people who actually enjoys exercising. I wish I could get by on 5 or 6 hours of sleep. I wish I didn’t get headaches so often. But when I look at what I’d imagined my life would be like versus what it is like, I definitely came out ahead. Maybe it’s just low expectations. Whatever it is, I’ll take it.
Very nice presentation, Meredith!
You accomplished a fabulous job (and struck a nice balance) in capturing all the essential points to which the “powers that be” ought to be paying attention in implementing new Library 2.0 technologies. Your compelling lecture reminds me why I entered librarianship in the first place–to stay intellectually and creatively engaged with the shifting landscape of information.
Change is a constant, and we as librarians must be prepared to move forward as vanguards in adapting the information technology tools that will best serve the needs of our users. We cannot remain chained to the reference desk lest we undergo the Rip Van Winkle effect, so your point on participating in ongoing professional staff development is imperative. All too often we may remain locked into our daily tasks at our individual institutions, so we easily forget there is a larger evolving world out there.
May we not become totally enamored with technolust either, but rather, let us take experimental risks to identify the existing and developing informational, research, and recreational needs of our clients and how to best accommodate their interests collaboratively, not directively.
Kudos, too, to the fact that we must continue adopting our roles as information marketers as we implement these innovations. This will become an even more crucial necessity as libraries continue to establish their virtual presence in an increasingly Web-based, digital world.
Thanks for sharing so many truths head on!
Phenomenal presentation! I appreciate your effort to approach both the internal and external issues. And that you address the “culture perfect”, both with our patrons but with ourselves. The idea that we, as librarians with other librarians, need help or don’t know the answer or want someone else’s expertise is a difficult one to pitch within the workplace, especially with generation and technology gaps. But you do a terrific job of reminding us of the value that we all bring to the library.
I hope to catch you live and in person next time.
Thanks!
Wonderful presentation! I was at your talk at the ENY/ACRL conference last May and loved your presentation then too. I am a young librarian and it is always nice to get ideas on how technology can be used to identify solutions to problems so our users’ needs can be better met.
Nice job, Meredith! I especially liked the parts about involving ALL of the library staff.
Really enjoyed your talk Meredith. I’ve read lots of your writing but it was great to actually see and hear you speak from my desk in London! I’ve frequently pointed people to your blog, and now I’ve added a link to this inspiring talk on my blog! Thanks very much.
That was a great lecture Meredith. That really put a lot of new initiatives in the library here into perspective. It helped to explain why they matter so much and also provided some clarity as we look forward to other/newer/broader initiatives.
Thank you all for the kind words. 🙂
Speaking from the Caribbean, your presentation was most inspiring. It speaks eloquently to the many issues librarians are confronting in this part of the world. I especially like how you addressed the concepts of change and inclusion in the workplace. I totally agree with you on 1) allowing not the so eager adopters the time to adapt to the new technologies 2) organizational direction and support are imperative.