Olga B. Wise

1
The Future for Solo Librarians

• Olga B. Wise
• Compaq Computer Corp.
• SW Regional Conference
• San Diego, CA April 5-7, 2000

2
When you leave this short seminar today, I hope
you will have

• New energy for your job. -Cheer leading.
• New ideas for improving your job.
• Some new colleagues with whom you can share your
  ideas.

3
My presentation approach

• I want a dialogue. Lets discuss. Lets
  interrupt!
• I dont need to hear my monologue. I want to
  hear from you - I want to have you question my
  assumptions.
• We all need new insight into old truths.
• Difficult concepts are fun.

4
Today we will discuss

• Solos in their current working environment
• Challenges to Solos.
• Positive signs for Solos.

5
Before we go any further lets talk about

• You and your library
• The best part of your job!
• What gets to you most as you work each day!

6
Why Solos are special

• They accomplish magic alone!
• They are able to juggle time, money and energy!
• Change does not scare them - most of the time!
• Theyre not whiners - too time consuming.

7
Usually Solos are good at

• Managing both up and down.
• Recruiting advocates.
• Finding partners within the organization.
• Learning new skills and applying them.
• Anticipating demands.

8
Solos also are

• The point person in their organization for
• print resources
• digital resources
• knowledge about the organization
• knowledge about everything else

9
Technology truisms

• Technological change is rapid.
• Internets/intranets are changing our work.
• E-books will change it even more.
• Solos will have to work hard to define themselves
  within the new technologies.

10
Dated concepts that wont die

• That old discussion - libraries and librarians
  are dead.
• Remember what Twain said The reports of my
  death are greatly exaggerated.
• Naïve thought from management that technology
  should replace us.

11
So why do I talk about the future?

• I know that Inter-/intranet developments
  sometimes make me feel that my Solo job is
  endangered.
• At times I have a hard time figuring out where I
  should concentrate my energy, since I have so
  much territory to cover.
• The many demands of my job make it increasingly
  difficult for me to explain my unique function
  within the organization.

12
I ask myself daily

• How is my work relevant to my company?
• How can I make my job even better?
• Did I help someone solve a problem today?

13
The Solos challenge(s)

• Remain motivated
• Remain challenged without professional peers.
• Improve without pressure from above.

14
For example, my company says

• Everything to the internet
• Speedy execution
• Leadership in Internet infrastructure
• Unstoppable - i.e. always up and running.

15
Modern companies want you to be

• Ready to be virtual (Compaqs WebLibrary
  BookPaq).
• Ready to do more with less.
• Ready to work fast and be self-motivated.
• Yes - Solos can do this!

16
My users have strong ideas

• Everything is on the internet and I can find it
  alone.
• Everyone in the organization is a database and
  indexing expert.
• Printed materials are not necessary since - See
  1.

17
Surviving Solos will need to be

• Strong
• Articulate
• Informed
• Dedicated

18
And if that isnt enough, we will also need to

• Influence Internet/Intranet content organization
  and delivery
• Become information media experts
  (print/electronic/CD ROM etc.)
• Explain ourselves well.
• Position ourselves in the vanguard as leaders
  not followers.

19
We will be able to do this because we are

• Good at working with our people.
• Adept at understanding better than anyone what
  our users information needs are.
• Able to bring a unique perspective to information
  provision/delivery.
• Aware of the past and can separate hype from
  reality.

20
Solos will have a primary role as information
consultants

• Teach our users techniques of information
  retrieval.
• Help our users become more analytical about the
  information they retrieve.
• Work to develop sophisticated information users.
• Only Solos have the training and skills to teach
  these information skills.

21
How to make this happen

• Be visible - ideas?
• Be an influencer - ideas?
• Be creative - ideas?
• Find partners - ideas?

22
In conclusion

• Solos are ideally positioned for the organization
  of the 21st century.
• Maintain constant vigilance - defend and extend
  your borders!
• Keep a positive attitude.