Confessions of a Mad Librarian

overuse of XML (not so much in the library world, but in the corporate world -- too many assumptions made about the synatic interoperatibility of mapped terms/field/values); This does not (yet) occur in the library world;the barriers of entry for XML have been greatly reduced, but the knowledge of how to use XML properly/fittingly is easier to skip now, hence increasing misuse

swamping of search results; any tool -- XML, portals -- can be used poorly

meta-searching -- we need to think about the end result, which could easily overwhelm the user; tailored searching/multiple portals can reign in the possibility of chaos

The meta-search function goes back 20 years, and there were problems then that were blamed on the technology (unfairly) -- what makes it different now?

Ideal reference is too idealized; oftentimes, 'good enough' is what the person needs, not 'perfect'

We never had complete control over taxonomy, categorization and interpretation

There is always semantic issues, and that will continue, regardless of the tool

IS conferences are starting to look at personal information mgmt and looking beyond 'information discovery'

Information tools are two things: branded products and bodies of discrete particles of content; Metasearch and OpenURL resolvers work to add layers of granularity to search inquiries

Our systems and interfaces are too rigid; our tools may be better/more precise, but are not popular

We need to change our mental metaphor of how to present information tools

We cannot satisfy all of the information needs to everyone; but there is a sense that libraries can be the first resort in some areas, the back-up in others, and the last resort in still others ... for issues of the first resort, certain tools don't work well

Libraries now have disintegrated library automation systems; it doesn't have to be a single turnkey operation from one vendor, but there needs to be intelligent communication between components and cross-functionality

There is no protocol/standard that can't be corrupted by a vendor in order to hold an advantage over a customer base; it's not a level playing field

Libraries should be using broad protocols rather than trying to create its own; however, there's a market trend of customization for librarians/libraries

Eventually, library automation systems are going to have to evolve, which will be hard for legacy systems

There are grassroots movements surrounding technology trends: 1) the serials crisis and increasing faculty disapproval; 2) pessimism over RFID tags; 3) Diversity in networks (moving away from one server, one OS, one workstation type) -- computer security is ultimately an unwinnable race)

We've been told that people want lots of options and menus and interfaces -- the iPod is a significant trend away from this : simpler interface

There is both convergence and division of features/functionality: some people want everything in one object, some want single-function objects

Overautomation: people want automation at the customer end, but just because we can automate doesn't necessarily mean we should

Personnel issues: people are being redeployed instead of being laid off

There's paranoia over RFID tags, but no one seems to worry about Bluetooth/Wi-fi

There's not much talk about DRM, but there's talk about the tools used/can be used to establish DRM restrictions

Data back-ups among the corporate world is growing -- keeping data in multiple locations