Comments on: Globally Outsourcing Information Work?

By: librarybob

librarybob — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:10:00 +0000

It’s likely enough. The historical argument for the original MLS was that it would offer cheap (read: female) catalogers for all of the “stand alone” libraries … I don’t think the pure economic argument has changed.

That said, I think we do need to work on explaining our “value add” better. Many type of library work require f2f assessments. Reference interviews are hard to do at a remote. Building trust is even harder.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 03:08:00 +0000

Fiona – I should have been more clear — I’ve read about outsourcing or privatizing of library/information work, but not about outsourcing this type of work to other countries.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:26:00 +0000

Outsourcing was a part of the library literature in the late 90’s. I remember doing an assignment on the pros and cons of outsourcing cataloguing, processing, and other work when in library school in Australia.

From what I recall, the fundamental arguments were the same as they are in any industry.