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In the Information Age: Do Physical Spaces for
Knowledge Matter?
Or,Redesigning for the Next Generation
Libraries: challenges & critical issues Gwenda Thomas
Rhodes University Library
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Rhodes UniversityEastern Cape
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Highway Africa: Consider these media comments… Highway Africa began 12 years ago to help
African journalists learn about the Internet Journalists are “drivers” in the use of digital
media & the Internet Journalists are creative users of cellphones, e-
mail & the Internet & are adept at multi-skilling The future vision for Highway Africa is an
Institute for the study of the interface of journalism, media & digital technology
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So what is the future vision for libraries in the Information Age…
Does the library as place have relevance
How should library space be best used
Who exactly regards academic libraries as an “institutional good”
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Challenges of the new reality
Rethink assumptions about academic libraries
Reshape & revitalise library spaces
Rebrand libraries & information professionals
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Rethink: does library as place have relevance Will library provide
appropriate study & learning space for next 10-15 years
What purpose & needs will space serve
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Disconnect 1: Academic library practices @ crossroads
why bricks & mortar in the digital age why have academic libraries not
changed in 30 years why so many PCs in the new library
design - it’s just a vast IT lab if ‘Googlers’ don’t read – why do we
need a new library …but it is all available electronically!
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Disconnect 2: Library users are no longer a captive audience
Users have alternatives to look and find information
They can by-pass the library to meet information needs
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Disconnect 3: ‘Silver Surfers’ fast catching the ‘Google Generation’
Googlers born after 1993 in an Internet dominated world
1st stop is Internet & Google
…but the new reality is Older users catching the digital waves Generation differences are blurring in the
digital age transition
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Google Generation information behaviour traits
Impatience in searching & navigating
Zero-tolerance for any delay in satisfying information needs
…but is this characteristic of only young information users
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‘Silver Surfer’ information behaviour traits @ Symposium
Horizontal information skimming
- skim & bounce between webpages
Navigation
- spend as much time finding way as viewing
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‘Silver Surfers’
Viewing - power browse for quick wins - average time on e-book/e-journal
site is 4-8 minutes Squirrelling behaviour
- downloads (especially freebies) squirrelled away- no evidence of extent to which content is read
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Disconnect 4: Info savvy vs Techie savvy 2007 HESA study among SA Employers Access to technology not improved
search & evaluate skills Challenged to articulate information
needs/effective search strategies Little time spent evaluating relevance,
accuracy & authority of information Technologically more literate but not
more information literate
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Redefine services: know your users
Library intensive in research & teaching
Expect intensive involvement by library & information professionals
Expect library instruction & assistance
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And keep them close (and your non-users)
Independent information behaviour
rarely feeling the need to come to the library or consult information professionals
Admitted demand for physical space & study areas will increase
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(And your lost users…journalists)
Expect library to maintain print collections & access
Want library to be gateway to global information resources
Expressed concern about:
- poor IL skills
- library experience for 1st generation students & young
researchers
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Reshape & revitalise physical spaces as a desirable “draw” “Engage” users with
the building
Highly visible & convenient location to access
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Reshape study & learning zones across the library
Inquiry service interaction
Information Commons
Chill corners Informal interaction Reflection
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Reshape study & learning zones across the library Group interaction
Teaching & instruction Collections
Services
Self-service
Ranges of study seating
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Rebrand perceptions
Avoid brand association of library synonymous with books
Deal with dissatisfaction expressed across a range of services
Move library mind-set from traditional content focus to dynamic user-facing orientation
Branding is about information professional skills not only services
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Conclusion
Information specialists have a formidable responsibility in the Information Age
It is imperative to stay close to the user community
Respond to data about our users Really get information literacy onto the
agenda
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The final word…“People want what they want when they want it. They don’t want something else, they don’t want less than they want, and they certainly don’t want it at some other time”.
H I Forsha The pursuit of quality through personal change 1992
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Thank you!