Toward a user-centric universe

Toward a user-centric universedonna Bair-Mundy, Ph.D. Lets chat a bit before talking about Dervins article.1Thomas Kuhns paradigm shifts

EarthSunToo much observational data did not fit the model

Thomas Kuhns 1962 work, The Structure of scientific revolutions, offered a different view of how science progresses. Instead of a gradual accumulation of knowledge and theories, Kuhn posited an episodic view of scientific evolution. A scientific paradigm holds sway, often for long periods of time, until observational data chips away at that paradigm until it is clear that the paradigm does not fit the facts. Then a new paradigm that better fits the observational data takes hold. [click] For example, the scientific world long held that the planets and the sun revolved around the earth. [click] That makes sense when you watch the sun and planets rise and set every day. [click] Gradually too much observational data was found to conflict with this paradigm. [click] And thus the heliocentric model was proposed, [click] placing the sun at the center of the solar system. As you recall, there was much opposition to this new model. Proponents were actually threatened with being burned at the stake.2Paradigm shiftsLibrarians as priests and priestesses of the temple of knowledge

Arbiters of Truth, Beauty, and Reliable Information Resources Youve all seen libraries with neoclassical architecture. [click] This architecture is based in large part on that of Greek temples. [click] This architecture was not out of line with our view of ourselves as priests and priestesses of the temple of knowledge. [click] In that role we were arbiters of truth (with a capital T), Beauty, and Reliable Information resources. 3Paradigm shiftsLibrarians as priests and priestesses of the temple of knowledge

We decide what the users really needWe decide which resources are quality sources of information to fulfill the users needWe provide those resources

User As priests and priestesses we decided what our users really need. [click] We decide which resources are quality sources of information to fulfill the needs we have identified. [click] And we provide those resources. [click] [click] And our users were expected to be grateful and come back for more. 4Paradigm shifts

UserLibrarians as priests and priestesses of the temple of knowledgeToo much research data did not fit the modelDervins description of new, emerging paradigm Sounds good, right? [click] Except that as we did more research we found that too much data did not fit the model. [click] And thats where Dervins article comes into play. Dervin described a new, emerging paradigm. 5Resistance to the Paradigm shift

Librarians as priests and priestesses of the temple of knowledgeHow do we characterize this debate in terms of Dervins model?

As with any paradigm shift there was resistance to the new model. [click] Looking back at our discussion of the Nancy Drew debate, [click] how would you characterize this in terms of Dervins model? 6Question:

What is the librarians role in the temple of knowledge? As you discuss the Dervin article, what is or should be the role of librarians in the temple of knowledge? How would you characterize your future role as an information professional?7