Understanding databases … and more

A few days ago at work I experienced one of those happy surprises at work.  It started out with confusion … a request from a client/patron/user (whatever word you prefer) responsible for a wide variety of databases who wanted to know more about some files my library updates and maintains on the web and confusion about the related data included in the library’s catalogue.  After many back-and-forth e-mails, we were no closer to understanding what each other was thinking or needing. Then, we met in person.  Turns out, they only actually needed two pieces of information:

1. The basic structure of records in the library catalogue (so they can avoid recreating the wheel and just add to existing data using an export from the catalogue)
2. That the web addresses for the corresponding pdf’s are permanent

What a pleasant surprise!  Once we met face-to-face, and demonstrated what we were each talking about, it turns out we were talking about exactly the same things.  Even better, the client was surprised that the library had anticipated such questions years ago. Yes, many people don’t understand that we are proficient database designers and comprehend such things as unique identifiers, db tables, etc.  And, many librarians make incorrect assumptions about other database creators/users.  But, when we make the effort and time to speak with each other about our respective databases and web-address stability, turns out we truly are on the same page.

On a related note, during the same conversation we expanded both our vocabularies about databases and our peer group!  … they learned about “authority control” (as a term only, they already understood and regularly made use of the concept) and the history of meta-data records (evolution from MARC) … and I was reminded that many people outside of libraries do very similar work and have almost the identical concerns about data integrity … I found a new colleague!

Westlake Porter Public Library and Library 2.0

The Westlake Porter Public Library in Ohio has posted both audio and text files from its poetry contest for K-5 students.   See the story about this at Westlife online news site .  Not only can we read each entry on the library’s website, we can also listen to the entrants recite their entries online!  Pretty cool!  They have also set up a photo site on Flickr and host a variety of blogs on topics from “Just the facts” for reference information to an “Astronomer’s” … .

While I don’t work in the public library world, I wonder how we can make better use of the same tools in the special library setting.  Where I work we are using del.icio.us for our bookmarks, but we haven’t yet progressed beyond that.  Perhaps we should consider expanding our use of Library 2.0 technologies. Time to move forward.

Changing directions

The last few days have been very interesting.  An amazing friend and colleague, Stephen Abram, was visiting Whitehorse (Yukon), where he gave an interesting and provocative presentation to the Yukon library community.  Stephen’s presentation was very engaging and enlightening.  His insights on both the near and distant future of libraries ring true for me. I hope my Yukon library community colleagues were as intrigued as I was by the possibilities and challenges the future will bring.

And beyond the limitations of a formal presentation, Stephen’s generosity with his time and thoughts during his whole visit struck me too. I feel very lucky to know him.  I didn’t realize I needed my passion for libraries to be fanned, but it turns out I did. I knew I wanted to make changes, but I didn’t know what direction to go in.  I don’t yet know what my methods and actions will be, but I now know which direction to head in … onwards and upwards … improving services and supporting those around me.  Thanks Stephen!