Posted on by rdlankes

If They Build It They Will Come

“If They Build It They Will Come” Rethinking Access to Information IFLA Satellite Conference, Boston, MA.

Abstract: No matter how many users one talks to in designing a system, there will be a gulf between what a user wants and what a system can do. The belief that users even know what they want, or that somehow a library can correctly interpret the needs of users is at best presumptuous. To truly build systems that met the needs of users, we must let them build these systems directly. By transforming our library systems into participatory systems, not only do we better meet the needs of our patrons, we also build systems that reflect the core principles of librarianship — getting away from simply adopting new technologies
developed in other fields. This presentation will explore the concept of participatory systems, and talk about what from the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 world is durable, and how to avoid the latest fads.
Slides: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/Presentations/2008/NewBoston.pdf
Audio: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/pod/2008/IFLA.mp3
Video: http://ptbed.org/downloads/IFLA.mp4

Screencast:

4 Replies to “If They Build It They Will Come”

  1. Dear Dave – I am the editor of Interlending and Document Supply. I wonder if you would be prepared to write up your presentation in Boston – ‘If They Build It They Will Come’? The journal is particularly interested in publishing articles on developments that prioritise the interests of end users. There would be no hurry. We have plenty in the pipeline – early in 2009 would be fine and would give an opportunity for updating your presentation if you wished. If you are positive then I can send you some notes for authors that the publisher has provided. Best wishes Mike

  2. I’d be glad to help out, but the presentation wasn’t specifically about interlending…more like macro trends like the death of documents. Still work?

  3. Very interesting. I don’t see any license on it – would it be possible to reuse one of the slides? I really like the comparison on slide 67 of various library services against Amazon. Also I’m curious how you did the “liquid morphing” effects.

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