CO.NX Webchat "Networked Librarians Serving Networked Patrons"

Vinnytsia Information Center “Window on America” participated in CO.NX webchat “Networked Librarians Serving Networked Patrons” organized by Lee Rainer (Director of Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project - http://www.pewinternet.org/) on April 20, 2012 (Biblionext: Rome). Representatives of American Corners abroad and public libraries took an active part in this discussion having a lot of questions concerning on Strategic Visions for the 21st Century Public Library (“HOW LIBRARIANS CAN BE MORE VALUABLE IN THE DIGITAL AGE”). In a focus of this discussion was the rise of e-reading in the USA (Read more: 1- http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2012/04/04/the-rise-of-e-reading/ 2- http://pewresearch.org/pubs/2236/ebook-reading-print-books-tablets-ereaders).

 “5 questions for librarians as they confront changes” were presented by Lee Rainer (What is the future of knowledge? What is the future of reference expertise? What is the future of public technology in libraries? What is the future of learning spaces? What is the future of community anchor institutions?).

 A lot of questions were asked. The following ones are among them:

- What strategies should be utilized to link social media with centers of information resources particularly when reaching out to youth audiences?
- Could you expand a bit more on the concept of a creation library?
- Where do you think most libraries will fall on the ALA spectrum? 

- What do you think about the rise of e-reading in the USA?
- How do you counter pricing issues, we know that apples attempt to price all e-books at $10 was thwarted by the US consumer groups?
- What about a piracy, how do you protect digital assets? We know, last year when students at the MIT tried to steal jester article in an attempt to share them free online, and how do you make sure protection does not stifle creativity.
- How do I read a Google e-book on my e-reader? (http://www.mainstreetbookcompany.com/gbook/help/other_ereader),
- I've heard that Facebook has become 'uncool' since too many people are on it now. Is there anything 'cool' out there we should be keeping our eyes on?
- What is your opinion on e-books in academic libraries?
- Any word on Pinterest and ways to use it? It seems to be catching up fast (http://blogoreader.org.ua/2012/03/11/popularity-of-pinterest/, http://pinterest.com/).

More about Pew Research Center project:

Source: Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project – April 26 – May 22, 2011 and January 20- February 19, 2012 tracking surveys. For 2011 data, n=2,277 adults aged 18 and older, including 755 interviews conducted on respondent’s cell phone. For 2012 data, n=2,253 adults and survey includes 901 cell phone interviews. Both 2011 and 2012 data include Spanish-language interviews.
More pictures: