Monthly Archives: April 2013

This is “Our Gutenberg Moment”

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As libraries change from primarily circulating print-based materials to providing information in a variety of formats in both physical and virtual spaces, my quest has been to follow colleagues who strive to balance the rich heritage of the past with the rapidly evolving changes of digital culture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have used T. Scott Plutchak’s quote (click on the picture to enlarge) to end many presentations and slideshows on the topic of libraries and the information revolution. T. Scott continues to inspire me with a positive outlook on the future of civilization as we continue to value knowledge and literacy. Be sure to listen to the closing remarks in this video about librarians and publishers sharing common values. T. Scott says’ “This really is our Gutenberg moment.”

 

 

Plutchak, T. Scott. 2007. The Librarian: Fantastic Adventures in the Digital World. Serials, 20(2), 87-91.
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4 Tips for Building Your PLN (from Howard Rheingold)

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Online life has merged with physical life for most of us, according to sources like the PEW Internet Report. Learning how to avoid drowning in the information flood has been the focus of my blog for over six years. Currently, I am almost finished reading Howard Rheingold’s book  Net Smart: How to Thrive Online which may be considered old news with a copyright date of way back in 2012. (We seem to think anything written last week is out of date.) The book is powerfully packed with insight but written in a friendly inviting tone.
Rheingold illustrates the “networking” literacy skills every single of us must acquire and includes tips for building a personal learning network.

4 Tips for Building Your Personal Learning Network

1. Know the Territory
When you first enter an online community (twitter, Ning, Second Life, wiki, etc), take it slow and get a feel for the way members interact.
2. Assume Goodwill
Ask friendly questions if you encounter negativity and assume misinterpretations may arise due to lack of social cues in new media formats.
3. Jump in where you can add value
Participatory culture (example: Wikipedia) brings advantages to a community through collaboration. No single individual can learn or do everything, but collectively we accomplish a great deal. If each person contributes, even in a small way, the outcome can be significant.
4. Reciprocate
A willingness to help others builds trust, respect, and reputation.

Rheingold brings a positive, knowledgeable, authentic perspective on how to thrive in our changing online world.  

 

Rheingold, Howard. Net Smart: How to Thrive Online. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 2012.