#15 Away from the “Icebergs”

I have read the "Away From Icebergs" article and skimmed several others. The library is a physical place filled with books that most people don't read anymore. Most of our users are on the computers trying to learn skills that should have been obtained when they were youngsters. Typical library users are often judgment impaired. They leave their children for us to take care of, and saddle us with giving them a crash-course computer science degree in 3 minutes. Library users have evolved into humans addicted to taking the easy, less costly route throughout life.

The rewards for librarians that make everything easy for their users, while condemning and neglecting each other will move libraries on the path of extinction. Rather, users need to learn that dues-paying begins at their library. How can this be accomplished? We need more services that rely on user education and training, services that force customers to think on their feet. We already have our Pharos computer sign-in system. Customers must watch readouts and interact with technology in a timely fashion, or they will not be able to use the computers at all. Libraries should consider high fines for overdue and lost cards/materials. We should also spend considerably less time pursuing criminals and abolishing criminal activities. It's a jungle out there, and only the best parents and most prepared students will survive. We as librarians are society's measuring-stick. We decide who is literate, who is educated properly, and who is safe in this world. It's time we start playing the part.