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Small Steps to the Future: Rural Librarianship in the 21st Century
by Daniel SiftonWhen I leave my house in the morning, it takes me ten minutes to get to work.
On foot.
No commute, no traffic, and no long lines at the drive-through, anxious for a cup of coffee.
But, it's not all fresh air and a choir of birdsong. Staying current while working in a large, isolated library system requires curiosity, dedication, and a sense of fearlessness in the face of change, as well as a willingness, perhaps even a desire, to be the architect of such change.
These qualities are integral to any discussion about librarianship in the 21st century. They're especially critical in isolated locations where, over time, young professionals are presented with a stark choice: stagnation in the wilderness, or progress. For me, at least, the difficult road has always been the most rewarding one.
I've been pursuing a multi-pronged approach for some time now, incorporating the following elements into my professional life:
- I've seen your name before...
I get to a conference at least once a year. Just recently, I began to notice that many of the faces in the hallways and lecture theatres were younger than mine, and they weren't just student representatives. Experience is only gained with time, but, as these youthful faces at conferences illustrate, curiosity, drive, and a desire for professional growth don't simply come with time; they require us to be actors.
Not all conferences are equal, of course, but how will you know until you attend a few? Try out both large national events and smaller regional ones, where the faces may be fewer, but more familiar.
I try to seek those faces out, if only to exchange a brief bit of shoptalk. For those reluctant to approach strangers, make an effort to attach faces to e-mail signatures by studying the sea of nametags before you; you'll soon find at least a few that you recognize. If you've ever needed an excuse to approach someone, this is a great opportunity to introduce yourself and strike up a conversation, while at the same time strengthening your ties to the library community. Chances are these contacts will be happy to introduce you to others, and in no time you'll feel more confident approaching the unknown. Who knows, strangers may soon be seeking you out.
- You work in a library. Wow! You must like to read.
The value of professional reading is so often overlooked. You may not be interested in publishing your own work, but that shouldn't stop you from reading others. Make a professional reading schedule and commit to it. If you can read just two articles a week, taking into account holidays and unexpected setbacks, you could read eighty articles in year. This won't give you expert knowledge, but your career, and maybe even your colleagues, will thank you.
Best of all, with the growth of open access publishing, you don't need expensive journal subscriptions or database licenses. With very little effort you can find something of interest at E-LIS, DLIST, or the University of Michigan's OAIster. As the weeks go by, look back on the ideas you examined, share them at the meeting table, or, even better, use them as a catalyst for your own projects.
- The times, they are a changing...
Take note of the 2.0 revolution, and become a soldier for the cause. We all have ideas and expertise of some kind, so why not throw down some text at a place like LISwiki? There's room for all voices, shy or boisterous. Subscribe to a few RSS feeds; they can save you a great deal of time in your reading schedule. Spend some time poking around in the blogosphere, or share bookmarks among the reference staff.
If you find these tools to be interesting and productive, why not try them out from the back end? Not every library has a place for every new development, but with a bit of exploration and creativity you're sure to find a place for one or two of them. For example, every library has new books, even small public libraries with even smaller budgets; why not make a series of RSS feeds to showcase new titles?
Regardless of your location or your budget, once you have an understanding of the new tools available, you can build to suit.
- You must accept the terms of the agreement...
Every time I hear of - or more often read about - a new idea, I make a note to look into it. Libraries are, after all, the place where people come when they need information. Why should it be any different for those behind the scenes? Sometimes, my investigation is simply a quick reference question, while at other times it becomes an idea to chase as a short-term research interest or a topic to explore in my readings.
I try to extend this exploration to software as well. It's great to read about new technology, but as those who audit courses find out, there's no substitute for getting your hands dirty. You can get demo versions of most software these days. Sometimes a demo version is all you need to find out whether a particular tool is right for you and your library, and sometimes a demo is more than enough to complete your particular project.
- Have you tried this..?
When I know I can't do it alone, I ask.
Being open to suggestions - and soliciting them when necessary - is integral to success in a changing environment. It's been my experience that, in the library community, you don't have to go very far for expertise and assistance. You do, however, need to be willing to ask. The answers aren't always on a list, or the other end of the telephone, but help often is.
These connections help us grow professionally, while at the same time they strengthen the links between us, and ultimately the community itself. In time, of course, the queries will come to you, but regardless of your level of experience you're certain to need help now and again throughout your professional life.
- Where do you see yourself in...
There are multiple paths to success, but many of the signposts are the same. I'm not convinced that every librarian needs a blog, or that every library needs to create a wiki, or that installing Greasemonkey is practical in every location. Being aware of and understanding the possible applications of new technologies, though, is necessary if you want to stay abreast of the wave.
It's not all about machines, though. Change has been the keyword for sometime now, and with that we need to be adaptable, willing leaders, with both "macro" and "micro" vision.
Libraries and librarians in isolated locations need to be aware that, despite their distance from urban centers, patrons are increasingly expecting the "high-tech" standard of library service that they find in cities. Sooner or later we'll have to give it to them. Why not sooner?
Daniel Sifton graduated in 2003 with an MLIS from Dalhousie University and is currently the Coordinator of Support Services for the Cariboo Regional District Library in Williams Lake, British Columbia. He can be reached at dsifton@cariboord.bc.ca.