Do Libraries Innovate: Blogging at ALA

Check out this quasi-transcript (and this one too) of the session “The Ultimate Debate: Do Libraries Innovate?” Topics discussed include why libraries aren’t innovative, the relationship between IT profession and library profession, and how to promote change in an professional organization (ALA)–all very relevant to art librarians/VR curators. ALA conference program description:

The Ultimate Debate: Do Libraries Innovate?
LITA
Track: Transformation & Innovations
Libraries did not invent Google Book Search, Library Think, Facebook, or any other innovation critical to the new information era/knowledge economy. We make use of these inventions. But is that enough? What prevents us from being more inventive? Join four thought-provoking speakers for a debate on these questions and a search for answers.
Speakers: Roy Tennant, California Digital Library; Stephen Abram, SirsiDynix; Joseph Janes, University of Washington; Karen Schneider, Florida State University

We’ve discussed changes we’d like to see in ArLiS/NA, but maybe the question “Do [Art] Libraries innovate?” would be help us get to the root of the issue. I think that innovation can increase the significance, not to mention status, of our profession and professional organization. We are an imaginative, resourceful group of people who value creativity (in visual art, architecture and other fields) — it follows that art librarians would or could be an innovative group of professionals. What do you think?