Today's Questions

["Karen E. Browne" <Karen_Browne@nmenv.state.nm.us>]

Libraries need to be organized with their system.  There needs to
be a central type of library that disseminates incoming information
to its subsidiaries.  The urban vs rural setting can be tackled first
by having the outlying libraries identify areas of information they
are interested in receiving - local interests and well as national
information.  Having set forth a list of topics (to be updated every
quarter, year, three years - whatever), these libraries can begin to
gather information that will be beneficial to the local community.
For example, rural areas might be interested in technological advances
of agricultural practices, or steps to preserving their way of life.  
Whereas, a more urban setting might be very interested in the effects
of urban sprawl, community planning, and smog counts.  Very different
issues face communities of different sizes.  So why not send the information
where it is most appropriate by using community identifiers like size,
location, type of community, community concerns, regulatory changes
affecting the population, etc.

The next step would be the interpretation and organization of the 
information on a local scale.  "What method would work best for my 
community?" is a question every librarian should be able to answer.
Rural libraries are very simplistic in their presentation of
information, just as academic libraries are more complex than public
libraries.  Both cater to different audiences and therefore, organize
their information differently.  A librarian's personal relationship 
with their community can help them to anticipate the needs of their
patrons and assist them in building the local resources.