At 12:05 PM 12/10/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>To what degree do y'all think computer programming should be skill aspects
>of librarianship?

It seems to depend.  In the library where I work there is great resistance
to learning about and using technology in house.  Although we do have an
ILS server all of our other database needs are hosted.  Even our one server
is handled by IT as far as backups, OS upgrades etc.. are concerned.  There
is a mantra around here that goes "we are not in the server
business".  Despite this we are currently adding an SFX server as a hosted
solution.  Our Online Services Librarian attends NISO meetings about
OpenURL standards.  Two of our most non-technical librarians are
administrators of Digital Reference products.  The skills of programming
are necessary but are not available.  In this way we continue to have
relationships with predatory vendors who sell us broken products because we
simply don't know any better way to do it.  Obviously a huge culture change
is necessary if librarians are going to become more computer literate let
alone acquire skills in computer programming.  The first step needs to be
at the grad school level.  When I went through the program if I wanted to
learn programming it would have to be through computer science or the
Business program.  This was University of Texas in 2000.  Many students
wanted these skills but they were not available.

E


Edward
Iglesias
email: [log in to unmask]
Technical Services Librarian/ILS
Coordinator                                            phone: 504.864.7838
J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Library
Loyola University New Orleans