Ciao tutti. A Rudai 23 post: thing 2

Biblioteca Internazionale Città di Rapallo

So I’m sitting on my hotel balcony in Italy thinking about blogging. I second-guess myself (as always) - there can’t possibly be anything interesting to say? I look at the boats bobbing in my harbour view then see the beautiful library on a nearby tree-covered hill. So now I think of all the libraries and librarians around the world providing safe, open and equal access to knowledge. Because wherever we are, whatever type of library we work for, and whatever our role is called, it is these values that bind us as a profession.

Of course our purpose is not really about providing access, that’s simply one of the methods we use. Our purpose is deeper. I see it as facilitating people to achieve their potential, as students, practitioners, teachers, policy makers, employees, patients, life-long learners, retirees, etc. Because a student doesn't really come to us to because they need access to books or a quiet space to study; they come because they need to pass exams that will enable them to begin their careers. In the same way, an unemployed person needs the internet - to find a job: a patient needs quality health information - to make informed choices; and their doctor needs the latest evidence - so they can offer the best possible options to them. By considering the ultimate goals of our knowledge users (rather than focusing on the tools) we come closer to revealing our own true purpose.

Of course we can’t survive vicariously through the success of others. it’s up to us to demonstrate our impact and value in all these processes. And strong evidence from all areas and sources is now being gathered and shared internationally; leading to more meaningful engagement with users, and better services.

So wherever we are in the world, in a city, town, or by a tree-covered Italian hill, there's probably a librarian nearby making a positive difference in people's lives. Now I think that is interesting.