The York County Library System is totally edupunk.
Well, whatever the library version of edupunk is, anyway.
Edupunk is all about do-it-yourself learning, and libraries are catching on in their own way. The York County Library System has opened up an online survey called “Let’s Talk Libraries” that can be taken through August 24, 2012. Among other things, they want to know what the community thinks a library will look like in the year 2020. The questions are geared toward what library services are important today and what services will be important in 5, 10, or 15 years. Will there still be multiple library locations, or only one with a larger web infrastructure? Will print periodicals and newspapers still be important to have on hand? What community events and classes will residents look for at libraries of the future?
To take the survey, visit this link. Remember to share it with your friends!
The conversation that the York County Library System has started is a unique one, in my opinion. You don’t see too many community organizations – especially those paid for in part by taxpayer dollars – seeking this level of feedback from the public. It demonstrates a willingness to re-think the way that things work, to question long-held beliefs and practices. I feel strongly that this is a move in the right direction…other organizations need to follow the library system’s lead.
Going a step further…do you think it would be a good idea for a large-scale “community night” where representatives from numerous organizations – libraries, schools, newspapers, businesses, non-profits, etc. – can engage in a conversation with their communities about how technology is revolutionizing our society and the way we learn, communicate, do business, seek employment, etc.?
See this great post over at the Book Buzz blog for even more information about the survey.
I was also very surprised and impressed by the survey – which I am proud to say I took! It was an interesting thought exercise for me, for sure. I would say that there aren’t many organizations that couldn’t benefit from seeking feedback from the groups they interact with. Even if 99% of it doesn’t change anything, maybe you’d hit that one novel idea that is a game-changer.
I hope that the library system publishes the results of their survey – I’m curious to know if my vision of what a library looks like in 2020 is similar to or totally different than the community’s. But the tone of the survey really made it clear that they take the role of technology seriously, and I’m very happy to see that.
[...] you read yesterday’s post about our forward-thinking local library system, you may sense a theme in my latest posts. Technology is changing the way that individuals and [...]