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January 07, 2004
Library Deathmatch : Prelim 1
Michael Gorman was kind enough to send me a presentation he made on library education at IFLA last year, in response to his related editorial published in SRRT's latest newsletter.
In reading the paper, I began thinking of how Mr. Gorman's argument--about how the current (and he argues, increasing) emphasis on information science is displacing librarianship as the focal point in many LIS schools--would fare against the positions of the following people:
Brewster Kahle
Jenny Levine
Barbara Quint
And thus, Library Deathmatch was conceived.
It is often said (and often true) that librarianship (regardless of whether or not you hold a particular genre of sheepskin) is a rather small profession. However, there are people who are not talking to each other and perhaps really should, if for nothing else than the entertainment value.
What two library/infosci luminaries would you like to see in the Thunderdome? Which philosophies/worldviews really need to go mano-e-mano or tete-a-tete via their most articulate proponents? Who would you like to see (or even pay to see) in a debate about librarianship, its direction(s) and its issues?
Tell me. You can even say who you think would win, but I'm not running any fantasy betting pools on it.
Posted by misseli at January 7, 2004 11:55 AM
Comments
Great idea. Jesse Shera vs Ranganathan? Michael Gorman vs Linus Tovalds? Jessamyn West vs Melvil Dewey? ALA vs US Government?
It would be fascinating to see.
Failing a real deathmatch, I would love to see papers facing off luminaries against eachother, it would certainly enable more people to know about some of the leaders of our profession.
Posted by: Fiona at January 7, 2004 03:22 PM
It pains me to admit this, but I had to look up Jesse Shera. The name rang only the softest of bells.
I am now schooled ... interesting guy. And this excerpt from a mini-biography intrigues me:
Unfortunately, Shera and Perry [one of the co-founders of Center for Documentation and Communications Research] had a difference of opinion about the scientific or humanistic nature of information system organization when Perry focused the center’s activities solely on scientific applications. This rift led to a schism in the library community, pitting those who believed in scientific model approach to librarianship against those who ascribed to humanistic model. Ultimately, the CDCR was enveloped by the Western Reserve Library School.
In Library Journal and Wilson Library Bulletin from the mid-50s, there's an increasing chorus of 'These library schools are sending out graduates with no familiarity with standard practices and no basis in the values and aspirations of library work.' And a sub-theme is, 'I may not have a degree in library service, but I love books and I like helping people, and that's more than I can say for a lot of these new "professionals".'
It's fascinating to the point of bogging me down. That, and the whole "comics are bad and are responsible for untold depths of juvenile deliquency now plaguing our fair nation" circle jerk that was going on at the same time.
And I think Jessamyn would take down Dewey 2 rounds out of 3.
Posted by: misseli at January 8, 2004 12:31 PM
hey thanks -- I always thought me vs Steve Fesenmeier might be a good one. Though as anyone who read the latest version of American Libraries may know, I might be setting my sights on a more formidable opponent.....
Posted by: jessamyn at January 17, 2004 09:25 AM
I don't know Steve Fesenmeier very well ... I know he submits Cuba items to LISNews, but I'm clueless as to what else toasts his PopTarts.
And I'll definitely will have to take time out to read Jan.'s American Libraries ... before the month's out, even.
Posted by: misseli at January 18, 2004 11:01 AM