tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7771056772007230891.post633640789375521477..comments2024-03-12T09:12:39.608+00:00Comments on libfocus - Irish library blog: Libraries must embrace the liquid revolutionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7771056772007230891.post-28286751720731577662013-08-12T11:13:54.612+01:002013-08-12T11:13:54.612+01:00Thanks for your response Michelle. The iPod shuffl...Thanks for your response Michelle. The iPod shuffle idea sounds fantastic. Wouldn’t it be good if, after being directed to an appropriate audio source for their purposes, a library user could have it downloaded onto an iPod shuffle and then take it away as they would a book from the library?<br /><br />I suppose, as paperbound information shrinks away into the corners of an ever expanding digital universe, the importance of a librarian who remains simply the administrator of a collection of printed media will shrink with it. You have made this point well in your post of 7th August and to my mind the logical conclusion of your point that librarians must “sell the library to our users based on what we can do for them…” is that librarians must become (and must become recognised as) specialists in Information Retrieval. In an age where information is abundant and accessible, the job of deciphering what is relevant is becoming increasingly important and, if roving librarians were recognised as experts in IR, perhaps the idea might be more successful than it is at present. <br /><br />I think the outreach idea is a good one too and this could be a good way to show the public that, as experts in IR, librarians have a very valuable service to offer.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11880802241273631993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7771056772007230891.post-27658772048259452322013-08-09T13:38:16.829+01:002013-08-09T13:38:16.829+01:00Some excellent points there David, and I do agree ...Some excellent points there David, and I do agree completely that one of our key functions is to support learning through whatever medium possible. In fact, as recently as last month I saw how Connolly Hospital have iPod shuffles available for borrowing that are preloaded with podcasts about a variety of clinical specialties. A very nice idea.<br /><br />However, I am not sure about Roving Reference services myself. From what I have read they can be very 'hit and miss' and can eat up a lot of staff time/resources for little gain. I think using it as an outreach tool rather than a reference tool as such, e.g. targeting key events outside the library (e.g. student union events, other academic events, talks etc.) with a roving presence could yield more engagement. But I am sure it is still one to keep an eye on!Michelle Daltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459103029885548217noreply@blogger.com