Comments on: Answering the What Do I Have to Stop Doing Question

By: Gina Millsap

Gina Millsap — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:54:33 +0000

As a library director, I've also heard this question many times over the years. I agree with David that “What do you want me to give up? isn't the right question. The right question is “What are the library's priorities and is what I'm currently doing addressing those priorities?” Underlying that question is an important assumption — that the library organization has worked together (staff, trustees and customers) to determine priorities and that there is a plan or blueprint in place for addressing them. Further, everyone must know what they are, leadership must work with staff to define the work to done and apply the right resources to get it done. THE most important resource is —- US! Also, important to this process is the constant environmental scanning that gives us the context for trying new service delivery methods or other new “stuff.” One thing is clear — if we aren't experimenting with technology-based service delivery methods like IM and other web tools, we are essentially opting out from serving some of our customers. Ultimately, that is not in our or their best interests. And it's in conflict with one of our fundamental values, equal and equitable access.

By: Making the transition to Librarian 2.0 continued « Andrew Eynon’s Library Blog

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:27:42 +0000

[...] 2.0 applications are free. The main barrier is perceived to be the impact on staff time (see the debate on David Lee King’s blog). I would agree that in reality this is something of a misnomer as [...]

By: Brad Fish

Brad Fish — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:21:17 +0000

I agree….the “what” of the things that we do is important. I might add to the conversation another word…”why”. Why do we do what we do? or… Why should I do that new thing?

It seems to me…when you discuss the “why” of our actions, our beliefs, our library goals or even the “why” about what makes us feel passionate about our work, the true value and joy and meaning emerge.

Next time somebody asks about giving up or adding the “what”….reframe the question into: “why” do you ask?, why should it matter?, why is that better….and most importantly….”why not”?

By: Brad Fish

Brad Fish — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:21:00 +0000

I agree….the “what” of the things that we do is important. I might add to the conversation another word…”why”. Why do we do what we do? or… Why should I do that new thing?

By: The Liminal Librarian » Blog Archive » The Library Latte Factor

The Liminal Librarian » Blog Archive » The Library Latte Factor — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:18:01 +0000

[...] comes to mind when reading David Lee King’s recent Answering the What Do I Have to Stop Doing Question, on how to answer library folks who ask what they have to stop doing in order to do new things with [...]

By: Busy few weeks « MCLC Library Tech Talk

Busy few weeks « MCLC Library Tech Talk — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:44:34 +0000

[...] me to pick and choose: LITA Top Tech Trends (in the hopes of finding more Talking Tech topics), the always-interesting David Lee King, the ALA Games & Gaming Interest Group meeting, Privacy Revolution Panel, etc. If you were [...]

By: Jason Griffey

Jason Griffey — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:52:36 +0000

And in case anyone missed Clay Shirkey’s answer to this very question:

http://www.shirky.com/herecomeseverybody/2008/04/looking-for-the-mouse.html

Sometimes, “extra” time comes from a very simple change.

By: Jason Griffey

Jason Griffey — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:52:00 +0000

And in case anyone missed Clay Shirkey’s answer to this very question:

http://www.shirky.com/herecomeseverybody/2008/04/looking-for-the-mouse.html

Sometimes, “extra” time comes from a very simple change.

By: Anthony Adams

Anthony Adams — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:38:04 +0000

Following up on walt’s comment, any time any new project or product has been introduced since the invention of stink, somebody somewhere has asked this question. Has nothing to do with computers, nothing to do with the 21st century. Change means panic for some people; always has, always will.

For others, for example, me, change has to mean improvement, not just change for change’s sake. I’ve been the heel dragger a few times, and sometimes I was right to fight the change. Sometimes, I was wrong. But I fought the new, or surrendered to it, not because it was new, but because I didn’t see that it made life better for the library community I was serving.

By: Anthony Adams

Anthony Adams — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:38:00 +0000