MyLibrary

Creating a digital library with MyLibrary is not about programming as much as it is about librarianship. Writing a computer program with MyLibrary is less than half of the problem.

The process of librarianship is a combination of three things: 1) librarians, 2) patrons, and 3) collections & services. Libraries are not created without librarians. In this case, a librarian is defined very broadly — a person creating collections and services of information resources. Even if a person created their own collection, then they are playing the role of librarian. All libraries have librarians. Moreover, all libraries have patrons because without patrons, even patrons who aren’t born yet, a library serves no purpose.

The same is true of a digital library created with MyLibrary. There has to be somebody who defines the:

• audience to be served
• needs the library will fill
• types of collections (content) that will be built
• types of services that will be provided
• optional controlled vocabulary used to build relationships

Once these things are defined they need to be implemented. The programmer can provide the framework — the application — supporting the definitions, but only a librarian can provide the content.

Moreover, libraries are organic institutions. They grow. They change. They need maintenance. The programer can not weed the collection. The programmer can not manage the controlled vocabulary. The programmer can not make decisions regarding new services to be implemented. She can not do this because that is not necessarily her skill; these are the skills of librarians.

MyLibrary is not about writing computer programs. Instead it is about providing library collections and services in a digital environment. It requires the articulation and implementation of collection development policies, mission statements, as well as goals & objectives. It then requires maintenance by librarians. Implementing a MyLibrary system requires the skills of librarians prior to the writing of any code; it is only as good as the implementation of librarianship at its core.

Tags: General Information //