For the sake of completeness, I feel like I should say a word about another aspect of the information transfer cycle, called diffusion. Dissemination doesn't involve learning or understanding on the part of the recipient. It is simply the distribution of information, making it available. Although this dissemination has grown considerably due to computer technology, and recipients gather information without help in multiple locations through PCs, PDAs, lap-tops, cell-phones, etc., the library still remains an important location for disseminating information. As a corollary, the advances in technology haven't reduced the need for librarians to help patrons and end-users understand and access information.
The process of learning and understanding information is called diffusion. It becomes personal knowledge and you make it your "own" during this process. Librarians, now more than ever, have to play the role of educator and technology advocate as part of this diffusion process. Many library patrons need help in using the computers that all libraries now have available, and most public libraries have various free classes on using computers and databases. There are many variations on this theme, particular to each type of library and patron demographics, and it is beyond the scope of this blog to address this more specifically here.
An introductory class on the Internet is perhaps the most common "diffusion" activity for public librarians. I taught one of these classes in a public library once, and it was gratifying to be able to reach out and help people who didn't know where to start. Just making the computers available isn't always enough. I would like to mention here that I used an excellent book by William Hollands as a guide (Hollands, 1999). He provides a framework for teaching Internet workshops in libraries. Even though it might sound old, being published in 1999, it is still one of the best books of its type available, and I recommend it to any librarian looking for guidance in teaching Internet workshops.
The degree to which librarians are involved in diffusion varies, depending on the type of library. School librarians, or media specialists, and academic librarians, play more of an educator role than public librarians. However, to whatever degree involved, librarians and information specialists play a crucial role not only in disseminating information, but in making sure the information is absorbed and learned in a diffusion process.
References:
Hollands, W.D. (1999). Teaching the Internet to library
staff and users: 10 ready-to-go workshops that work.
New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
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2 comments:
I teach internet classes on a weekly basis, and I agree that making the technology available to the public is nowhere near enough. They need instruction on how to *use* the dang things. Not being an educator would be shooting ourselves in the foot and missing a great opportunity to make folks realize how great libraries are!
I agree. I have not had the opportunity to teach internet classes yet. I work in a rather small library and the majority of the people who come in are spanish and I don't speak the language. Funny being a Jennifer Lopez but it is even funnier to realize that I used to be a Garcia too. I have often been limited by my language abilities to reach out to my community. My colleague teaches and I assist. There is always so much information out there to access. I just wish we had more technology that we could share with the public. I wish I could teach more complicated ideas like Excel, Word, Powerpoint, or even Publisher with ease. It would be so great. Maybe I can help teach them how to blog. Cool.
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