Context Book Presentation on John Palfrey's BiblioTECH

1. Biblio TECH:
Why Libraries Matter More Than
Ever in the Age of Google
K.C. Boyd, Doctoral Student
Context Book Presentation - Advanced Seminar: Reading
Dr. Janice Del Negro, Professor

2. John Palfrey
- is a ‘feral’ - a non-librarian who
ends up working in a library.
- Law Professor
- Director of the Berkman Center for
Internet and Society at Harvard
University
- Director of the Harvard University
Law Library
- Currently is the Head of School at
the Phillips Academy in Andover

3. John Palfrey’s Former Boss

4. About Palfrey
- Read widely about Library Information Science
while working as an Academic Library Director
- Met with hundreds of people who work in and
around libraries
- Conducted interviews of librarians in the US and
abroad

5. About Palfrey
- Since 2010 has been working on establishing a national digital library system
for the US.
- The Digital Public Library of America or DPLA brings together the cultural and
scientific heritage of the US in a digital form.

6. The Digital Public Library of America: An Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ngLBa4ewM

7. BiblioTECH
- A celebration of libraries
- A love letter
- A guide for reformists
- A wake up call for librarians
new/experienced

8. Perfect Storm
The digital revolution has created this.
Librarians/Libraries face a series of problems that
can’t all be solved at once. (New formats,
training, staffing, public view of libraries/librarians)
Some librarians believe that they are not a good
‘fit’ for the current era of library service.

9. Perfect Storm
- Budgets are being cut even at the best
universities across the country.
- The costs/multiplicity of formats makes it difficult
for libraries to choose.
- Palfrey believes that the demand for library
materials is changing mostly toward the digital.
- Believes the distinction between stewards and
collectors will become more important over time
in libraries.

10. Perfect Storm
Palfrey believes that print will not totally go away because it continues to play a
key role in the preservation of knowledge.

11. How We Use Libraries
Palfrey acknowledges the digital divide:
Rich vs Poor access to the internet
Cell phones aren’t suitable for doing homework.
Lower digital literacy rates found in areas with lower
socioeconomic status.
Federal funding and the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation have helped close the gap.

12. The Connection Between the Virtual & the Physical
A physical library is required to select, obtain,
store and provide access to large-format
works.
Libraries have always been places to use
culture, use information but now the library is
a place to create information and culture.
Kari Lamsa, Chief Librarian
Helsinki’s Library 10 - Finland

13. The Connection Between the Virtual & the Physical
The Helsinki Library 10 Librarians view the
today’s library as a ‘information gas station’
Two self-service data pumps that come with a
promise to answer any question the library’s ‘gas
station’ customer might ask, within reason.

14. The Connection Between the Virtual & the Physical
Maker Spaces
Young people and older people can learn
to build out into the emerging digital and
physical environment.
Traditional library spaces are replaced with
these interactive environments.

15. Tools + Support + Community = Our School Library Makerspace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atitAC2VLCk

16. Platforms: What Cloud Computing Means for Libraries
Could libraries be rendered obsolete if
physical books stores are bypassed for
books on a cloud?

17. Platforms: What Cloud Computing Means for Libraries
David Ferriero - AOTUS
Our nation’s archivist of the United States Cooperation
Library director in universities and the public library.
He has championed federal agencies working together
to digitize public materials and get them in the hands
of those who want to access them.
This was a hard sell.

18. Platforms: What Cloud Computing Means for Libraries
Libraries will be able to thrive and innovate in a
worked, digital, and mobile era only if they
adopt the collaborative approach of building
shared platforms.

19. Hacking Libraries
To hack libraries does not mean destroy them, but instead
make them more useful, attractive and sustainable as
formats and user practices shift.
Libraries can help bridge the digital divide by providing
access to all patrons regardless of income.
Hacking libraries would shift the emphasis from materials-
centric to consumer-oriented.
OCLC (Online Computer Library Center is a present-day
collaborative which provides patron access to connected
libraries.)

20. Hacking Libraries
If libraries are to be hacked, the job of the
librarian will have to change dramatically and
the curricula at library and information schools
will have to be rewritten.
***Isn’t he aware that this is already taking
place in MLIS? Did the author consult
members of academia prior to reading this
book?
New ways of identifying ways of rewarding
new leaders in librarianship.

21. Networks: The Human Network of Librarians
Highly networked librarians are those who
have developed new skills and who remain
open to new ideas.
Unfortunately, these skills and openness have
not been consistently taught or encouraged in
the library world.
***Again, has he consulted with members of
academia???

22. Education: Libraries and Connected Learners
Common Core Standards increase their role in
schools.
School librarians are trained to implement digital
technologies which are needed in today’s 21
century classroom.
***The downside is testing and cost of testing in
U.S. schools.
Today’s school library is an extremely valuable
zone of learning outside of the formal classroom
environment.

23. The Digital Public Library of America
http://dp.la/

24. References
Palfrey, J. (2015). Biblio TECH: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever in the Age of Google. Basic
Books Publications.
The Digital Public Library of America - http://dp.la/
The Digital Public Library of America: An Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ngLBa4ewM
Tools + Support + Community = Our School Library Makerspace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atitAC2VLCk