Conversations Videos: Stephen Abram & Michael Stephens

I read Stephen Abram’s blog on a regular basis and have met him several times, but this video was still interesting to me. He expresses some of the same views that I hold on libraries. Libraries have played an important role in my life for years and years. I like to visit them, I like to work in them and I find them to be a valuable resource. I am particularly inspired by the role he has played in professional associations.

I’ve never met Michael Stephens, but I’ve certainly read his blog and other writings. He does some very cutting-edge work; his dissertation looked at blogs. Libraries might be strongly associated with books, but that is only part of the picture in my view. He also makes the point that technolust is a danger for some – we need to remember that people are what make these organizations tick. I can understand that case but I’ve talked to a number of non-professionals who, for some reason, equate “librarian” with “check out clerk.” This is something that needs to be addressed. But that is not going to be done here.

Related posts:

1. New iSchool Podcast episode: Professor Michael Geist on “Why Copyright? The Fight for Canada’s Digital Future.”