Joel Battle, School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s University; Sian Brannon, Libraries, University of North Texas; Kelly Brouillard, Lewisville Public Library; Greg Hardin, Libraries, Texas Woman’s University; Kris Helge, School of Law Libraries, Texas Wesleyan University; and Valerie Hill, Ethridge Elementary School, Lewisville ISD.

1. Creating Alliances with the
Overlapping Fields of IT and
Librarianship
Presented as part of a panel:
Greg Hardin Texas Library Association
Annual Conference
Texas Woman’s University Libraries April 18, 2012
Denton, Texas Houston, Texas

2. “[Academic and research libraries] do not
have an inherent path of evolution; their future,
particularly more than a few years out, is going
to be shaped largely by the evolution of
scholarly practice and the scholarly
communications system and the evolution of
higher education institutions and the higher
education system.”
Clifford A. Lynch
Director, Coalition for Networked Information (CNI)

3. The Overlapping Fields of I.T. and Librarianship

4. "8 Things We Hate About IT" *
Librarians hate when IT... IT Leaders hate when librarians...
Service or Control is overly bureaucratic and control make half-baked requests and are
oriented clueless about impact
Results or Respect consists of condescending techies treat IT professionals like
who don’t listen untrustworthy servant-genies
Tactics or Strategy is reactive rather than proactive develop plans without including IT
Expense or Investment proposes "deluxe" when "good focus on costs not value
enough" will do
Quickness or Quality doesn’t deliver on time change their minds all the time
Customization or Standardization doesn’t understand the true needs want it all – right now – regardless
of the business of ROI
Innovation or Bureaucracy doesn’t support innovation aren't IT smart and don’t use or
understand IT systems
Greatness or Goodness inhibits change are never satisfied with IT

5. Service or Control
Librarians hate is overly
when I.T.... bureaucratic and
control oriented
I.T. leaders hate make half-baked
when librarians... requests and are
clueless about
impact

6. Results or Respect
Librarians hate consists of
when I.T.... condescending
techies who don’t
listen
I.T. leaders hate
when librarians... treat IT professionals
like untrustworthy
servant-genies

7. Tactics or Strategy
Librarians hate is reactive rather
when I.T.... than proactive
I.T. leaders hate develop plans
when librarians... without including
IT

8. Expense or Investment
Librarians hate proposes "deluxe"
when I.T.... when "good
enough" will do
I.T. leaders hate focus on costs not
when librarians.. value

9. Quickness or Quality
Librarians hate doesn’t deliver on
when I.T.... time
I.T. leaders hate change their minds
when librarians... all the time

10. Customization or Standardization
Librarians hate doesn’t understand
when I.T.... the true needs of
the library
I.T. leaders hate want it all – right
when librarians... now – regardless
of ROI

11. Innovation or Bureaucracy
Librarians hate doesn’t support
when I.T.... innovation
I.T. leaders hate aren't IT smart and
when librarians... don't use or
understand IT
systems

12. Greatness or Goodness
Librarians hate inhibits business
when I.T.... change
I.T. leaders hate are never satisfied
when librarians... with IT

13. ITopia
Do you know the way to ITopia?

14. "Peace is a journey of a thousand miles
and it must be taken one step at a time."
Lyndon B. Johnson

15. Thank You!
Greg Hardin
ghardin@me.com
@ghardin

16. References
Cramm, Susan. (2010). 8 Things We Hate About I.T.
Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press.
* (reproduced from Table I-1, p.5)
McGeary, Timothy M. (2011). Applying Lessons
from 8 Things We Hate About I.T to Libraries.
Code4Lib Journal Issue 13.