Thoughts by Techxplorer

Recently I stumbled across a post entitled “What makes a system librarian?” by a MLIS student. Unfortunately they don’t provide their name so I’m not sure who they are. It’s interesting to me because it touches on similar thoughts that I have been having.

I too believe that being the bridge between the “library” and “techie” worlds is very important. I think bridging the gap between the techie and other worlds is something I’ve been doing since I was a tutor at uni all those years ago. Probably in excess of 6 years now…. where did the time go?

Since moving into libraries a little over three years ago I’ve been using my skills to bridge the gap between the “library” and “techie” worlds. This year my work has been centered on large complex systems, including institutional repositories with the RUBRIC project and more recently the ILMS at the Adelaide University Library. These systems are intensely interesting to me and I’ve been looking for a way to understand these systems better so I can increase my contribution to my workplace.

For this reason I’m taking a different direction in my education than the above mentioned MLIS student and people like Jennifer Macaulay in that I’m not studying a MLS / MLIS degree. Instead I’m preparing to study a Masters of Information Architecture degree at Charles Sturt University. My motivation is to build upon my existing “techie” skills, update them with study, and gain a better understanding of the way information is organised in large systems.

I applied for the course after discussion with various people at my place of work, including senior level management. I also asked the question of the visitors to the librariesinteract.info blog to which I contribute. I learnt through this consultation process that my place of work was highly interested in my undertaking this type of study, which is fortunate because it interests me, and have been very supportive.

I’m hoping that the course will help me not only be a bridge between the “library” and “techie” worlds, it will help me become a better enabler of technology for the library, including its staff and clients. Enabling users of technology is what excites me the most. I enjoy teaching and training others in the use of technology to help them get the most out of it. While working at my previous place of employment I did a number of training session on things such as an introduction to the Internet and how it all works, through to more effective Internet searching using Google.

I don’t do the things that a librarian traditionally does. I don’t work on the information desk, I don’t build the collection, and I don’t answer reference queries. (I know librarians do many more things than this) What I can do is assist those people who do these, and many other, things to use technology to help them in doing these tasks. To do that I need to act as a bridge between the two worlds. My studies, and existing knowledge, will help me with the techie stuff, and by asking lots of questions and working closely with my colleagues I’ll continue to build my library knowledge.