Status Skills
Interesting article about status skills being the next "big thing". Questions that come to mind are:
1)Is this premise supported? and
2)How can we apply the idea of status skill seeking to the library and its users.
Is this premise supported?
There were an amazing numberof examples given to support the theory that people will eventually stop seeking consumable status items and move toward the attainment of status skills. Skills being the key word. The authors try to make the point that current technology makes the desire to attain skills "cool" and just as important (well, almost) as driving a shiny new car.
Not sure if I buy it...exactly as written. Yes, people love flickr and wikis and youtube and the like. Yes people want to learn how to grow their own gardens and learn to install their own hardwoods...but in the longrun I believe it all goes down to a status of sorts...maybe, still mulling it over. I personally am excited by the idea that knowledge may become as important and sought after as a new pair of designer jeans. I hope that's what happens. I guess time will tell.
How can we apply the idea of status skill seeking to the library and its users?
There were a couple of key points that I thought really hit the nail on the head for those in the library business to consider:
1) Lesson learned: don't just figure out how you can help your customers improve their skills, but also give them an intimate or worldwide outlet to show and tell and brag.
Yes, I believe this is key. When visiting and interacting with flickr it seems we are a world of sharing and that sort of amazes me. With identity theft fears and the like, people are willing to plaster pictures of their kid's graduations, new babies and new gardens on photo sites to share with the world. Somewhere in there is a kernel of truth for a library to use. Perhaps we need to offer opportunities for folks to share the knowledge they've gained from library resources in a wiki they can access...or something along those lines. I don't think libraries need to recreate the wheel...but simply sort of piggy-back off the wheel.
Much from most other trends involving any kind of creation and participation: it's LACK OF TIME. Where on earth will consumers find the time to actively acquire these new skills?
I believe this is VERY key. High schoolers and those younger seem to have alot of time to play on the computer. (My personal bias...is this healthy? Will the outdoors ever come back into fashion?) I don't think adults have so much free time. But something that will save them time like having a dependable, safe, place to save digital files like flickr, smugmug, etc. saves time and solves a dilemma that people have i.e. what to do with their photos. Libraries have to be very aware of the time factor and tailor programs, services, etc. that save their patrons time.
Some simple advice: as a brand, to make the most of your new STATUS SKILLS offerings, first help customers make/find the time they thought they didn’t have.
How can libraries help users save time?
That's all for now...
1)Is this premise supported? and
2)How can we apply the idea of status skill seeking to the library and its users.
Is this premise supported?
There were an amazing numberof examples given to support the theory that people will eventually stop seeking consumable status items and move toward the attainment of status skills. Skills being the key word. The authors try to make the point that current technology makes the desire to attain skills "cool" and just as important (well, almost) as driving a shiny new car.
Not sure if I buy it...exactly as written. Yes, people love flickr and wikis and youtube and the like. Yes people want to learn how to grow their own gardens and learn to install their own hardwoods...but in the longrun I believe it all goes down to a status of sorts...maybe, still mulling it over. I personally am excited by the idea that knowledge may become as important and sought after as a new pair of designer jeans. I hope that's what happens. I guess time will tell.
How can we apply the idea of status skill seeking to the library and its users?
There were a couple of key points that I thought really hit the nail on the head for those in the library business to consider:
1) Lesson learned: don't just figure out how you can help your customers improve their skills, but also give them an intimate or worldwide outlet to show and tell and brag.
Yes, I believe this is key. When visiting and interacting with flickr it seems we are a world of sharing and that sort of amazes me. With identity theft fears and the like, people are willing to plaster pictures of their kid's graduations, new babies and new gardens on photo sites to share with the world. Somewhere in there is a kernel of truth for a library to use. Perhaps we need to offer opportunities for folks to share the knowledge they've gained from library resources in a wiki they can access...or something along those lines. I don't think libraries need to recreate the wheel...but simply sort of piggy-back off the wheel.
Much from most other trends involving any kind of creation and participation: it's LACK OF TIME. Where on earth will consumers find the time to actively acquire these new skills?
I believe this is VERY key. High schoolers and those younger seem to have alot of time to play on the computer. (My personal bias...is this healthy? Will the outdoors ever come back into fashion?) I don't think adults have so much free time. But something that will save them time like having a dependable, safe, place to save digital files like flickr, smugmug, etc. saves time and solves a dilemma that people have i.e. what to do with their photos. Libraries have to be very aware of the time factor and tailor programs, services, etc. that save their patrons time.
Some simple advice: as a brand, to make the most of your new STATUS SKILLS offerings, first help customers make/find the time they thought they didn’t have.
How can libraries help users save time?
That's all for now...
posted by Miss A at
1:18 PM
1 Comments:
I agree with you in that helping to solve the time issue is key. Part of what is facinating about this is that it can be seen now with various activities. I noticed in the latest Men's Health magazine there was a article on a guy who is a home improvement junky. He is addicted to Lowes, Home Depot and the like and the possibility of doing stuff himself, etc. We also see magazines, tv shows, etc. about DIY (Do It Yourself). As a public institution that offers informational, educational and recreational collections, programs and services we would seem to be one of the mainstays for the do it yourselfer. Besides aren't we, as libraries, one of the long lived supporters of the DIY mindset. What then does that say about how we might be able to capitalize on such a concept as "status skills?"
By
Matt, at 2:33 PM
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