On the second day of the Housing Memory conference, I focused on learning as an audience member. One presentation looked at the design of an information system that organizes information about a government program. The system had to bridge the needs of lawyers and those seeking to access government benefits. This act of understanding how each group understands the government government – how they even use different metaphors – is vital to designing good systems. This effort to design information services around the needs of users is also a move I approve it. Historically, information professionals have sometimes had the odd habit of creating classification systems based on their view of what makes sense, rather than what their users want. I grant that it is difficult to grasp user needs when designing large general purpose classification schemes (e.g. Dewey Decimal System) but I still appreciate the effort to do it. There was also an interesting discussion about differences between the US Freedom of Information Act and the Canadian Access to Information Act. Such laws play an important role in democratic society and ensuring government transparency is maintained.

The conference concluded with a round table discussion that explored memory and its meaning for information professionals. This was quite abstract, but such high level thinking plays a valuable role. One panelist mentioned the idea of the museum as a “non-place,” and this notion strikes me as interesting. I presume that “non-place” is meant a reference to the artificial environment of the museum. There was also much discussion of architecture (including the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montréal; something to I ought to visit on my next visit to the city), a topic which I have started to think about more deeply recently. While I might argue that a majestic setting such as the Bodleian Library is more inspirational for academic study than a modern concrete building, it is difficult to make something of this intuition. Certainly, interior design and architecture can have a very clear effect on morale (contrast a space with windows and natural light to one lacking such light), but I do not yet know enough to say more than that.

Today was the first day of the Housing Memory conference at the Faculty of Information in the University of Toronto, a graduate student event draing presenters from around North America. I had the pleasure of presenting a paper on libraries in recent conflicts (Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq) and received plenty of useful feedback. It had been some time since I presented at a conference and I had forgotten just how valuable the experience can be. The questions help me think more and discover gaps in my thinking. There is also a certain je ne sais quoi about the personal interaction with fellow panelists and the audience that really adds something to the experience.

The other papers and discussions at the conference has also been interesting so far.  One of the most thought-provoking moments of the day involved a discussion about the political and professional obligations of archivists. Specifically, a question was raised about whether granting access to certain sensitive materials (e.g. police records from South Africa’s apartheid regime or records from the Stasi from East Germany) could be damaging to the user and to society more generally. My own work in archives has not involved this particular challenge, but it may in the future. Nonetheless, I think it is valuable to begin grappling with these questions in the safe environment of a conference first, a situation where one can pause and consider the issues rather than responding to specific requests.

The day’s program concluded with a wide-ranging and thoughtful lecture by Dr. Geoffrey Bowker on, “Memory Practices and the Imagined Future Self.” He considered how memory, reading, and forgetting has changed over time. The questions were also very good. I only wish that I had noted down some of the many references Dr. Bowker provided – there were many promising scholars and works cited.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow as well.

Bruce

Hi, I’m Bruce and this is my blog. I have had blogs on various services since 2002, but this is the first time I have blogged under my name. My vision and purpose for the blog will likely evolve over time, but I do have a few themes that I will consistently explore.

First and foremost, this is a professional blog where I will write about the information environment. This is a large field that covers libraries, archives, museums, information technology, information behaviour and other fields. At present, I am a few months away from concluding my Master of Information Studies (MISt – equivalent to a MLIS but broader in scope) degree at the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto. In terms of content, I plan to discuss new developments of interest to the profession including new technologies, conferences of interest and publications I read (or write for). I will also discuss other interesting developments around the Internet as items of interest come to mind.

From time to time, I will likely also discuss economics, current affairs and other topics that strike my interest. For both personal and professional reasons, I consider it vital to stay informed about the world – otherwise, how can one seek to change it or adapt to change beyond one’s control? I will also discuss books (and perhaps TV and films) that I have enjoyed and offer my views. Suggestions, counter-points, debate and more are all very much welcome here – I only ask that the usual standards of civility be followed.

Before I conclude this post, I should also comment on my title. It captures so much of my outlook on life. I am always learning, almost always curious and enjoy seeking greater understanding of people and the world around me. As the famous Discovery Channel ad (I Love The World; a great ode to curiousity in my view) put it, “I love the whole world and all its sights and sounds…” I hope you’ll stay around, read a bit and comment if so moved.

Bruce