The Library Journal Academic Newswire Newsmaker Interview: Tim Mack, President of the World Future Society
Andrew Albanese -- Library Journal, 12/18/2008 8:08:00 AM
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He has no crystal ball—but, since 1985, Tim Mack, a lawyer, government researcher, and consultant, has edited the oldest and best respected professional journal in the foresight area, Futures Research Quarterly. In June, 2004, he also assumed the presidency of the World Future Society, considered the leading organization in the “futures” field for 40 years. With another year of “disruptive” technology and change for libraries coming to a close, Tom Sloan, executive director of SEFLIN, Inc. (Southeast Florida Library Information Network), caught up with Mack for LJAN, to discuss the future of libraries.
LJAN: Libraries often seek to promote their services and collections, yet, you have stated that future support for libraries may depend more on libraries serving as the “experience place” in their communities. How can libraries enhance the “experiences” of their members?
TM: Experience does not mean simple entertainment, and competing with entertainment attractions is misunderstanding the library concept. Offering a flexible range of uses that meets the needs of the community, including recreation, social and educational activity are part of good service for users. The laptop culture needs unassigned and flexible spaces, well lit and inviting, and other spaces can be designed around human creative needs, mixing work and socializing, collaboration, etc.
You have identified “the economics of presence” as a key issue in considering the future of libraries. Define “the economics of presence” and how it relates to libraries.
The economics of presence recognizes that showing up at a library consumes resources, effort, and time, especially when transport is so expensive. Libraries can develop remote sites, where work is being done, and distance learning tools, but the communal experience is very compelling. Patrons working with peers may require some flexibility about traditional library restrictions, no talking, food, drinks, cell phones, to cultivate library-based social networks.
Your organization’s magazine, The Futurist, has explored what the emerging visual culture means for the written word. What do you see as the future of the written word and, specifically the book?
Technology will continue to mature and may supplant the printed book to a degree. But the written word has exceptional power and no web-based or digital reader technology has done away with the need or desire to read. On-demand instant gratification is formidable. It changes the way we consume media and has led to a Google-driven decline of visitors to the reference desk. Still, the Amazon Kindle or other non-print book formats continue to struggle with quality, difficult search and retrieval, and limited access to a number of research areas.
You have written that Western society is well into the digital age and that what remains is an intense discussion on the social and economic implications of this transformation. What do you see as the greatest challenges for libraries?
The biggest back office challenge is data curation, that is, digital preservation, metadata creation, and data validation. Out front issues include whether libraries can effectively deliver services to users on their mobile devices, free WiFi use in library space, open Source ILS (Integrated Library Services), and even things like Second Life virtual reference desks and Info Islands. Digital collections take up little space and are less expensive to assemble and maintain, but understanding how digital technology changes the relationship with physical resources and including both in the same cataloging structure remains a challenge, for example, how folksonomy and tag clouds work together with LC systems.
Historically, librarians have sought to protect the confidentiality of library records. Yet, with the spread and use of social networks, people are voluntarily disclosing private information for public consumption. Will the right to privacy become passé?
Trust relationships will never be passé, but how the open culture of social networks interfaces with library traditions, ethics, and privacy will continue to be a burning question. Libraries should only adopt changes that fit with the viable and durable culture of libraries, providing comfort, access to ideas, socializing, and personal value for patrons.
According to Thomas Hine, the future offers more than we can foresee, but its nature will be determined largely by the way we think about it. How should we think about the future of libraries?
As a trusted information clearinghouse and a safe convening site. That is no small role in today’s hyper-dynamic and often confusing world. And this involves listening to users—they are the future. Libraries are tools to enhance the personal endeavors of users. This can involve Wikis, Blogging, and on-line dialog, but can also include stories of cultures along with factual information and critical analysis. Libraries should support cross-cultural comparisons and diminish the digital divide between rich and poor. And the “magic and wonder” of libraries can provide an antidote to stressful modern life.
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