Backup and push is an old bluegrass instrumental...it has nothing to do with technology but everything to do with my thoughts concerning this blog today. Just as the music is uptempo and energetic, so is my mind racing with things I want to say but need to say in order...

After reviewing my objectives for this forum I have determined that in the last post I might have gotten a little bit ahead of myself.  I've decided to go slower and to conquer a complex case with you a little bit at a time. Hence, the "Backup and Push" reference.  The first post was useful; we'll come back to it later.  For now though let's downshift a little bit.

Instead of talking to small libraries with web sites I want to talk to all small libraries. I want to quote an article by Marshall Breeding to put us back on track:

I thought that most public libraries were well automated. As it turns out, while most public libraries in medium to large cities have full-featured automation systems, there are thousands of small, often rural, public libraries that have no automation system or that use a stand-alone, PC-based one. I'm seeing that a large percentage of these small libraries have no Web site at all or just a minimal, single-page site. (1)

That's authoritative information coming from the man who did the "leg work." For a library with no page at all, collecting links is not of much use. Dear reader, please tell me, does your library have a web site? If you have a minute, drop a small post to tell whether you do, and if so, maybe a few words about its features.

Now I must admit that I am adamantly in favor of providing a web site for all libraries, but especially  for small rural libraries.  Internet access in general can be a great equalizer for people and a library web site can bring a lot of  value to its service community.  Think about how many advantages you enjoy because you use the web.

In essence, we are de facto information technolgy consultants to our communities.  We begin with the foundational form of information technology--the book--and we progress from there. We must consider that part of the service we render to our communities is our combat with and defense against the "digital divide."

Til next time, let's think on the ways that the library adds value for the community and the ways it uses technology to accomplish this.  ~dd

1. Breeding, M. (2007). Working Toward Transparency in Library Automation. Computers in Libraries, 27(No. 2), 23-25. Retrieved Sept. 24, 2009, from the Library literature and information science full text database.