Barricades have Become a Familiar Landscape

Hie-jinja (Shrine) in Rain
Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
one of the frontispieces missing from MSU's copy of
Shintô and its architecture
by Akiyama, Aisaburō

Possibly the most cop out way to start or end an essay is with a quote, and yet, interestingly enough, it's almost always the thing that inspires me to write the most...

As stated on Michael Stephen's ALA TechSource Blog, the second principal of Library 2.0 is that:
"The Library has no barriers.What barriers are we putting up that prevent our users from getting the information they need? Are you closing off resources and systems within your building? Make sure your users can get to your stuff no matter where they are—and make the systems easy to get to!"

This resounded for me, i think, because of a very recent experience at the Michigan State University Library. Allow me to highlight a few of the "resources and systems that were closed off" to me today. I had gone to the library after class with some very specific things in mind that i wanted to accomplish. As often happens, i left with more questions than I answered, and they even got me feeling like i should give them money... All right, well maybe the second part doesn't happen that often...

i had wanted to research the published work by a professor of Japanese Lit., Rika Saito, whose presentation i had attended last week. i had the name of one journal she'd published in, and the name of her dissertation... under normal circumstances, that seems like it would be a good start. i had a feeling that MSU wouldn't have any materials, but being a research school i knew they'd have access to a great many databases. i needn't have wasted my time--without a working MSUNet ID, i might as well have been an illiterate person wanting to vote in the 18th Century. Most websites, excluding Google, are blocked, and ProQuest asks for an institutional password. Additionally, the wireless network, which is configured to allow both MSUNet users and Guest users, conveniently wouldn't connect... On top of that WorldCat had never heard of her, or her dissertation. None of the available databases had heard of the one journal i had written down either, the "U.S.-Japan Women's Journal".

It almost makes me think that we were better off back when the only resources were printed resources. Unfortunately, it turns out that her dissertation is only two years old and that the U of Penn simply hasn't released a circulating copy (the MSU Reference Librarian I was working with informed me that their Thesis and Dissertation collection does not circ either), other than in electronic format. Aha! An Electronic Version! Well doesn't that beat all... available for a mere $32. ^^;; (for those of you not familiar with the anime sweat drop smiley, let me summarize it as representing intense stupefication, which is a word i just now coined).

After leaving the library and coming to Panera Bread, i was able to login to ProQuest with my Wayne State account, and download the Full-text dissertation in PDF format. Of course i'm really not interested in reading 338 pages in PDF, but i guess them's da breaks. It also occurred to me after the fact to try searching MelCat for the U.S.-Japan Women's Journal, and low-and-behold Kalamazoo College does own a copy... i never realized just how complex, with how many hidden layers and how many misfiring synapses reference librarianship entails (two terms coined in the same day!).

Unfortunately, that's not quite the end of it. While i was in the library i wanted to borrow a book i had just learned of in class called, A Guide to East Asian Collections in North America, compiled by Thomas H. Lee. I had a feeling this book would come in handy in the future, should i ever get the guts to pursue a career in Asian Library work. It turns out MSU did own a copy, though whereas i had written down the LC no. as being Z 3001. L4 (cuttered correctly for a reference book), MSU had chosen to give it the call number, DS 504.5 .L6 1992. Well, all right then, no harm done. Except... that the only catalog computer in the basement at MSU that non-MSU students can use was not logged in (for some unknown reason even the catalog computers at MSU Libraries requires a password to login to the MAGIC Catalog). Thus, i had to go back up stairs to use a different catalog computer, then to travel up to the 2nd floor East (if you've ever been to the MSU Library, you'll know exactly how absurd it is to have to negotiate two buildings joined at the hip... namely: stupefying, as you can never remember which side is East and which is West).

To attempt to bring an unnecessarily long and pointless drivel of a story to a close, let me say that i have mixed feelings about the MSU Library. Although they DO have a great many resources, and even a Map Library (fancy that), they simultaneously put up barriers all over the place against the non-MSU Student from doing research there. ;\

Now, if you thought this seemed to be going nowhere fast, check this out: i have zero room to complain because when i went to check out my book i was told it wasn't due until November 22nd. The head of circulation at MSU Libraries had done me an incredible favor at the beginning of the year and awarded me graduate-level borrowing privileges when she saw how much time i would spend doing research at MSU (and due to the fact that i'm in a Library Science program and she happened to find that to her liking). So, after all that bitching and moaning... i have zero room to complain about MSU Libraries. They are, in retrospect, an incredible library and very giving. =]

Oh yeah, and I did say something about wanting to give them money, didn't i... Well, while i was walking around aimlessly, doing my "Watch out, I'm an independent researcher non-MSU badboy" routine, i happened to come across a pamphlet for Adobt a Book at MSU Libraries. This reminded me of a book i have often checked out, both at Western Michigan University, and at Michigan State University, Shintô and its architecture by Akiyama, Aisaburō. It occurred to me that MSU's copy is badly beaten up (having been printed in 1955) and many of the gorgeous fontispieces have been stolen. No, not by me: this book is such an incredibly unique resource even i, with my "Pirates for Hire, specializing in Mayhem and Madness" flag in the window of my car, wouldn't sink so low. But damn, they are SOO insanely gorgeous (see above). i'll think about donating some money to get it restored or replaced.

Evoca doesn't Evoke Much

Recently i noted on LibrarianInBlack.net that a new tool has emerged known as Evoca (link borrowed from LibrarianInBlack.net) which enables bloggers to place a widget on their blog to record voice data for the purpose of leaving blog comments...

This is exactly why Library 2.0 is a joke. Don't get me wrong, i am a ALA subscriber (much to my pocketbook's chagrin) and read my monthly Digital Libraries email to stay up to date on current practices and happenings in the field... but this stuff is not in the field. Librarians are not programmers, nor are we paid to sit around and try out new tech tools like some uber-lame Slashdot junky. Librarians--that is, the ones that i look up to--assist users in locating materials, coordinate library programming, work with other organizations in the community to better our living conditions and often take a role in reviewing newly published literature. What does any of that have to do with some new widget for blogging?

As stated on wikiepedia's Library 2.0 definition @ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_2.0, (link borrowed from Catherine's blog) Library 2.0 has this as it's underlying principal: "library services have the ability to evolve and improve on a constant and rapid basis."

No they don't. Asking the user to participate in improving the library is all well and good, but the truth is, most District Libraries are run by a Library Board who calls the shots, and probably doesn't have time to take into account every user's commentary on how things should be run. The very fact that we're in graduate school to learn how a library should be run proves that there are undeniable universalities to how services function. I don't know about you but i wonder about the practiciality of enabling voice recordings on someone's blog as being crucial to improving library service...

Ever since i was in junior high i knew i wanted to be librarian and work with people and books. That was my career goal, and amazingly, it still is. If i am to take that goal seriously, i cannot in good conscience condone Library 2.0 as legitimate. The only instances in which net communication tools come into play in the library world involve email and instant message reference and common place office queries. Anything beyond that feels more like indulging a internet addiction, and less like work. i would say you may quote me on that, but given the stomach-churning political positivism that infests our profession, no one is likely to give credence to my backward conservative ways.

Wi-Fi in Libraries

Recently more and more public libraries are experimenting with hosting wireless internet for their patrons. Having grown up in the country (which is, unfortunately, where i reside once again), where local municipalities never seem to get around to laying cable tv/internet wires, i have been forced to do a great deal of my work in coffee shops and, more recently, in Wendy's. Those environments can become quite stifling when researching for a term paper, as you might imagine. Although i work at Barnes and Noble, their wireles internet is hosted by AT&T and is not free. McDonald's also charges for their wireless internet (though i can't imagine a time when i'd find myself in their establishment anyway).

Thus, i was very happy to discover a few local libraries that offer wireless internet freely. Brighton District Library and Howell Carnegie Library both offer free wireless internet and although wireless printing isn't yet available, both libraries graciously allow guests to login to their computers for printing. i suppose this isn't a very big deal for most people; what percentage of North Americans live in suburbia where cable internet and DSL is readily available? Yet, although many places in the U.S. and Canada now offer free internet (including, believe it or not, many gas stations where there is no place to sit with a laptop), many libraries are still very hesitant. i should think that Brighton and Howell libraries would be glad to have my patronage.

The Capital Area District Library is what i consider to be my home library. i grew up going to a library that was later incorporated into CADL. i worked as a page for CADL for four years there, and although i now have accounts at other libraries, whenever i log into the MelCat union catalog, I always request materials be sent to CADL for convenience sake. However, I'm beginning to wonder if i really want to continue this practice. Although CADL has received endowments from the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation in the form of computers for local libraries, their policies concerning said computers use are quite stifling. Apart from having no wireless internet, computers are set to offer service in thirty minute blocks. i have found it quite difficult to edit my resume in thirty minutes, let alone compose cover letters and take blackboard quizzes in the time allowed.
In addition, many of these computers are overrun in the afternoons by junior high students, an environment not exactly conducive to research or study. I have nothing against the middle schoolers--they're there because they can be, they're just another kind of patron and i'm certain CADL is glad to have them. But computer use by said patrons has risen to the point where reservation computers are necessary to merely sign up for the next available computer. Also, no effort has been made to separate computers (i'm certain it's easier networking wise for them all to be in one location). To say the least, this system is difficult to contest with.

So my question is: why doesn't CADL offer wireless internet? There hasn't been any real documented evidence that radio frequency use has a direct relationship with brain cancer, although interestingly enough use of bluetooth headsets for cellphones has risen lately as well (and for anyone who's walked behind someone who's seemingly carrying on a conversation with herself until you spot the device at her ear, it can be quite distracting... but that's another topic altogether). Do libraries believe that by allowing patrons to use their own computers on their networks they will be unwittingly assisting hackers? This seems unlikely for two reasons: first, any library the size of CADL's thirteen branches has its own systems department, and obviously has the funds to run firewalls, as well as to track system tampering; second, wireless routers are almost always equipped with internal firewalls and an experienced user can readily block the necessary ports. i know because i've used the commercially available models and found it only takes a few minutes to secure them with WEP or WPA.

What troubles me is that with technology increasing to the point where some libraries exist completely in the digital realm, why would public libraries be hesitant to encourage patrons in bringing their own computers to the library? Obviously the half hour time limit is to provide that some patrons do not monopolize computer time, an expensive service for a public library if ever there was one. Are they also thinking perhaps that technology funds being what they are, public library computers can only really afford to undergo upgrades once a millage? If that's the case than the whole question of providing ANOTHER link to the internet for patrons is mute. After all, aren't libraries about books? Shouldn't library funds be allocated more to books and people than cyberspace considering how easy it is for the average patron to get internet at home? I'm playing devil's advocate obviously. After finishing my tour at library school i'm certain i'll have a far better idea why libraries choose to spend money on what they do... and probably an even greater sympathy for them than i already do.

Greetings Fellow 6080 Students...

Although this is a preexisting blog in which i review archaic samurai movies, i have slightly modified it to communicate with my fellow students.

This has been slowly gnawing at me since class yesterday: i dislike being the person who seems to be a know-it-all. When i was a child i determined that i hate television with a passion: to date i have never owned one. Where some people spend time watching tv, i spend time reading and messing around online. On the one hand this has let me learn a great deal and utilize software more easily, but on the other... well, let's just say it can become an addiction: for many an escape (or is that the other way around...). Also you don't necessarily learn that much about other software. For instance, i know next to nothing about excel, powerpoint, access, etc. I would say i'm only really "proficient" in Word and Adobe Photoshop. i don't know if i'd make it in the working world.

Sayonara to oyasuminasai~