Unplug and connect

I recently stumbled across an LA Times article on the debate over cell towers and wireless access in national parks. After listening to many discussions about cell phone use in libraries, this provided an interesting perspective.

“This is a commercial service that is using public resources and land,” said Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

The introduction of wireless service is an added insult, he said. “The park service is saying unplug and connect with nature — but when you come, you can check your e-mail and trade stocks.”

Yellowstone does not permit televisions in its hotel rooms, but officials contend that wireless Internet is different. “It’s a way to get information,” Ollitt said. For example, visitors could research bison after seeing them in the park.

Snapping photos of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on a recent afternoon, Bic Ngo brightened when he heard the park might introduce wireless.

“I’d love to get my pictures on Facebook tonight,” said Ngo, 33, of Toronto.

I’ve often thought that parks and libraries shared a similar set of tensions: between preservation and access; sanctity and convenience. At least no one is trying to build cell towers in the library.

I’m in American Libraries

Not to toot my own horn. Well, actually, toot!

An essay I wrote entitled “Not Just the Facts: Toward a Library and Information Humanities” has been published in American Libraries, the magazine of the American Library Association. It’s about why “library and information science” is a deficient way of understanding librarianship.

You can read the article online here. (You will need to download ebrary Reader.)

ALA and Bookmobiles

I’m gearing up for a trip to DC for the ALA Annual Conference. It will be my first time in DC and my first time doing the ALA thing. Even though they were here in Seattle six months ago, I didn’t go to any of the events. Makes more sense to travel to the other side of the country, I guess.

I will be manning a booth, along with two other SPL Mobile Services staff, at the Diversity and Outreach Fair. In preparation for this I put together a Flickr page with photos of some of our bookmobiles and services, including technical stuff like lifts, carts, etc. That’s me at the adjustable-height circulation desk. Gripping stuff, I know.

Vonnegut and Libraries (So it goes)

Many great bloggers have posted very nice things about Kurt Vonnegut in the last few days.

Thanks especially to Library Journal for putting up the 1973 article from the interview they did with him. And thanks to Jessamyn West at librarian.net for posting a link to this article.

I just want to take this space to post a few quotes, pulled from some of his writings, about libraries and librarians.

Hello world!

Ok, I have officially joined the blogosphere. I’m learning everything from scratch, so please share comments and feedback!