Diversity in library services and surfing with changes
A library is considered as the “store house of Knowledge.” It plays an important role in promoting the progress of knowledge. In the library we meet new friends that may remind us about the past, friends that tell us what the right thing to do, friends that make us a rational thinker, a great speaker and even a great leader. In the library we find the opportunity in reading many books. Through reading, we expose ourselves to new things, new information, new ideas and new ways to achieve our goals. In reading we make ourselves better, understand the world more and find ways to improve ourselves.
From the printed materials now in digital formats, today’s libraries are more than just places to read a book. Now, we have e-books (electronic books) and through them easy access of information is being provided to the students. It’s great right? That for every question that we have it can be already answered within just a short period of time with less effort.
From these printed and digital media we learn so much information. How do we get the information from these media? The role of the librarians is vital and/or necessary. Librarians provide us the access to information as well as the instruction on library and information literacy. They guide us to the information we need. The way they guide us has a great effect on us as information collector in and outside the library. Information and reference services are appropriately provided to students.
Observing our current situation in the library, service appropriateness is felt. It's good to see students reading many books and doing their research inside the library. Can we still make it better?
As what a certain professor of medicine John Kabat-Zinn has said: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” Everything is changing. The printed media, for example, and is now in digital form. The long-time research can now just last for a single minute, and easy access of information is instantly provided.
For the library to surf with the changes as there must be something to change as well. What it can be?
Can it be the location of the books in the library?
Can it be the fast internet access?
Can it be those available materials?
Can it be the number of librarians in the library.
Yes, they are.
There must be something to be changed as well in the library services. There must be variety of services offered, in short, diversity.
Having library friends or book talkers is a great idea. This promotes not only importance of the library but as well as the value of every single page of the book people are reading.
Providing fast access of internet in the library for the students is a great thing. It can give them encouragement to study more. Having the online library for the students to easily look for the books they want to read. This can really help them its time-saving and very easy.
Having more books that are really essential is also a great thing. This can give the students opportunity to learn more.
For the library to surf with changes, diversity in service is a must not a "will” or a “should.” It’s good to see students reading many books and doing their research inside the library, but it’s better to see students encouraged in reading books, sharing their ideas and learning together and with them are their teachers inside the library including librarians. Let us now all surf, read and deal with new things and ideas. Let us all surf with changes and discover diversity in library services.
Author: Vincent Oliver O. Florencio
Submission title: Diversity in library services: surfing with changes
File name: surfing with changes.docx
File size: 44.38K
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