Post on 14-Apr-2017
The Puzzles Librarians Need to Solve
Lee RainieDirector – Internet, Science and Technology Research
February 9, 2016VALA - Melbourne
@lrainie | @pewinternet | @pewresearch
Your 6 big puzzles to solve
1. What’s the future of personal enrichment and entertainment?
2. What’s the future of pathways to knowledge (reference expertise)?
3. What’s the future of public technology and community anchor institutions?
4. What’s the future of learning “spaces”?
5. What’s the future of attention (and its structural holes)?
Q6: Where do you fit on the continuum? ALA’s “Confronting the Future”
Totally physical (facilities and media)
Individual focus
Collection library (physical and virtual)
ArchiveEverything for
everyone
Totally virtual (facilities and media)
Community focus
Creation library (social, maker space)
PortalSpecialized
niche
Starting point: Your foundation is pretty solid
Our previous findingslibraries.pewinternet.org
• People think libraries are important, especially for communities
• People like and trust librarians• People think libraries level of the
playing field for those without vast resources
• People think libraries provide services that are hard to get elsewhere
• People believe libraries have rebranded themselves as tech hubs
http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/03/13/library-engagement-typology/
Capstone: Library User (and Non-User) Typology
Q1: What is the future of knowledge?
• How is it created? New scientific method (and citizen scientists) … Big data … Niches and argument … Simulations and models
• What are its interfaces? New displays … Networked data/info … Gamified environments
• How is it disseminated? Social networks and media … Flipped schools
Learning as identity (% of those ages 18+)
I often find myself looking for new oppor-tunities to grow as a person
I like to gather as much information as I can when I come across something that I
am not familiar with
I think of myself as a lifelong learner
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
58
61
73
Describes me very well
74% of all adults are personal enrichment learners% of those ages 18+
Taken online course
Taken course related to interest/hobby
Attend convention/conference tied to personal interest
Attended meeting where learned new info such as book club or arts club
Read publications related to personal interest
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
16
25
30
35
58
The motives of personal learners% of those ages 18+
Learn something to help with my children's or other kids school work
Wanted to turn a hobby into extra income
Extra time on my hands
Learn something that would allow me to help others
Learn something make my life more interesting
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
33
36
60
64
80
63% of the employed are work-related learners – i.e. gotten training or taken courses (% of those ages 18+)
Because I am worried about losing job
To help get a new job
To help get a raise/promotion
For a license or certification for my job
To maintain or improve my job skills
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
7
13
24
36
55
Q2: What is the future of pathways to knowledge (reference expertise)?
What is the future of learning?-- Shana Ratner (1997) “Emerging Issues in Learning
Communities”
New: Learning as a
processKnowledge is
objective and certain
Old: Learning as transaction
Knowledge is subjective
and provisional
New: Learning as a
processLearners receive
knowledge
Old: Learning as transaction
Learners create
knowledge
What is the future of learning?-- Shana Ratner (1997) “Emerging Issues in
Learning Communities”
New: Learning as a
processKnowledge is
organized in stable, hierarchical
structures that can be treated
independently of one another
Old: Learning as transaction
Knowledge is organized
“ecologically”-disciplines are integrative and
interactive
What is the future of learning?-- Shana Ratner (1997) “Emerging Issues in
Learning Communities”
New: Learning as a
processWe learn best passively, by listening and
watching
Old: Learning as transaction
We learn best actively doing and managing
our own learning
What is the future of learning?-- Shana Ratner (1997) “Emerging Issues in
Learning Communities”
New: Learning as a
processOur
“intelligence” is based on our
individual abilities
Old: Learning as transaction
Our “intelligence” is
based on our networks
What is the future of learning?-- Shana Ratner (1997) “Emerging Issues in
Learning Communities”
How do you search for information? Bigger, better search for everything … New interfaces …“Semantic web” … Bots … Predictive analytics
How do you aggregate / curate it? Key attribute of a helpful network “node” … “Do what you do best and link to the rest”
What new literacies are required to understand it? Searching … Evaluating … Pattern recognition and critical thinking … Coding and media production skills
Q3: What is the future of public technology and community anchor
institutions?
22
Libraries stack up well vs. othersHow confident? How important?
Library to community63 28
Should libraries move some print books and stacks OUT OF public locations to free up more space for
things such as tech centers, reading rooms, meetings rooms, and cultural events? % of those ages 16+
Should definitely do
Should maybe do
Should definitely not do
30
40
25
20
39
36
Nov-12 Apr-15
May 3, 2023 24www.pewresearch.org
The clear public mandate: Do something for education ….
Large majorities of Americans see libraries as part of the educational ecosystem and as resources for promoting digital and information literacy.
Should libraries coordinate more closely with local schools in providing resources to kids?
% of those ages 16+
Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
85
112
Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
85
122
Should libraries offer free early literacy programs to help young children prepare for school?
% of those ages 16+
Should libraries offer programs to teach people, including kids and senior citizens, how to use digital
tools such as computers, smartphones and apps?% of those ages 16+
Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
78
163
How well, if at all, do your local public libraries serve the learning and educational needs of your local community – not just children at schools, but all those of any age who want to
learn? % of those ages 18+
0 20 40 60 80 100
37 39 6 4 12
Very well Pretty well Not too wellNot well at all Don't know
How well, if at all, do your local public libraries serve the learning and educational needs of you and your family?
(% of those ages 18+)
0 20 40 60 80 100
34 36 9 12 8
Very well Pretty well Not too well Not well at all Don't know
Q4: What is the future of learning spaces?
Where personal learners did their learning(% of adults who did personal learning in past 12 months)
On the
i
nterne
t
At edu
cation
al fac
ility
At a co
mmunity
cente
r or m
useum
At a ch
urch,
temple
, or s
ynag
ogue
At a lib
rary
At som
e othe
r plac
e0
10
20
30
40
50
60
5235 29 26 23 31
Where professional learners got their training(% of employed who got job training in past 12 months)
At you
r work
place
On the
inter
net
At offsit
e faci
lity
At a co
nven
tion,
confer
ence
At hom
e
At a go
vernm
ent a
genc
y
At a lib
rary
Some o
ther p
lace
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
7555 48 43 37
219 14
New kinds of enrichment/entertainment are networked and aimed at networked individuals
• Can be DIY and self-paced• Can be experiential,
participatory• Can be just-in time, real time• Can draw on peers and their
networks
• Can be place-agnostic• Can exploit augmented
reality• Can have gaming
sensibilities• Can exploit feedback and
analytics
Should libraries offer programs to teach patrons about protecting their privacy and security online?
% of those ages 16+
Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
76
184
Should libraries have more comfortable spaces for reading, working, and relaxing at the library? % of those ages 16+
Should definitely do Should maybe do Should definitely not do
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
64
25
7
Q5: What is the future of attention?
STREAMS: USER SPENDS HER LUNCH BREAK DIPPING INTO A VARIETY OF MEDIA
“STREAMS”
How it works• Motive – catching up / checking in / curiosity• Content – news (broad definition), social updates• Demographics – tilts under 35 / female• Device – any / all• Engagement – continuous partial attention /
horizontal scans / sharing• Influentials – editors, social networks• ~ Mindshare – quarter to a third of media time
SIGNALS: USER HAS SET UP ALERTS ON HER SMARTPHONE AND REGULARLY CHECKS HER HOME SCREEN TO SEE NEWS
HEADLINES
How it works• Motive – real-time awareness• Content – headlines, new information, first
impressions matter most• Demographics – under 30, tilts women• Device – smartphone, tablet• Engagement – glancing OR galvanized• Influentials – brands• ~ Mindshare – < 5% of media time
SNACKS: USER ACCESSES HER MOBILE DEVICE WHEN SHE HAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME TO KILL
How it works• Motive – killing time, beating boredom• Content – gameified, bite-size headlines, link-
dense• Demographics – Everyone gets something
different• Device – smartphone • Engagement – distracted, quick-twitch• Influentials – brands, quality of social network• ~ Mindshare – 5%-10% of media time
People: Serve and Learn – Tech experts – Master teachers in age
of lifelong learning– Visionaries for the
knowledge economy and the jobs it produces
– Experts in sense-making, context, and curation
– Monitors of algorithms
Place: Reconfigured and Repurposed– Artifacts are
connected and data-rich
– Nodes for “system of systems” with databases and media
– Test beds – maker masters
– Community information and media stewards
Platform: Community Resource– Trusted institution
and privacy watchdog– Advocates for free
and open– Advocates for closing
digital divides– Data and collections
repositories– Civic specialists – esp.
in learning realms
Examples of market and cultural shortcomings librarians are addressing – or could address
1) Technology non-users - skills training in new literacies
2) Pre-school programs3) After school activities4) English as a second language courses5) Lifelong learning opportunities / credentialing
competency6) Fill gaps in local media ecosystem – community and
civic information/curation7) Help for small business / entrepreneurs / non-profits8) Serendipity agents of discovery
Be not afraid
Extra material
Pew Research Center archive of library-related research:
Libraries.pewinternet.org
Q1: What is the future of knowledge?
• How is it created?• What are its interfaces? • How is it disseminated?
Homework: Too Big To Know David Weinberger
Q2: What is the future of reference expertise?
How do you search for information?How do you aggregate / curate it?What new literacies are required to
understand it?Homework: http://searchengineland.com/Danny Sullivan & Co.
Q3: What is the future of public technology
What is the future of knowledge access points?What divides persist / emerge?What lending models are enabled in a new era of
property / subscription / sharing?Homework:
Confronting the Future: Strategic Visions for the 21st Century Public Library
Roger Levien
Q4: What is the future of learning spaces
What fosters collaboration? Creativity? Problem solving?
What is the role of solitude and quiet spaces?What other alliances can you strike with institutions
that share your goals about providing key information to your community?
Homework: A New Culture of Learning Douglas Thomas & John Seely Brown
Q5: What is the future of community anchor institutions
Does local matter?What does our community need?
Homework: Informing Communities: Sustaining Democracy in the Digital Age
Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities
Q6: What’s the franchise?
What’s the commodity?
Homework: The Innovators DilemmaThe Innovators SolutionClayton Christensen, Michael Raynor
What Would Google Do?Jeff Jarvis