Right now I cannot help patrons with some e-device download issues beyond reading forums with them because I do not have the device, my library does not have the device, and at this point in time I do not have the discretionary funds to purchase a device to learn on my own by try and fail.

There are times that the time I might be devoting to learning greater technology competency outside normal work hours is devoted to developing programs for patrons outside normal work hours or writing an article for a library association outside normal work hours or taking on database training (training other librarians) outside normal work hours or attending functions on behalf of the library outside normal work hours.

And there are times that discretionary time (what a misnomer!) during a particular week or weeks must be devoted to family or personal rejuvenation so that I can give the patrons my all when I am working with them. There are librarians who must hold down multiple jobs so one job is occupying a slot of time that could be devoted to lifelong learning.

Lately I have had the opportunity to read a number of posts and view a number of clips indicating that people who are not on the way to being as technically adept as the writer or maker of the clip are lazy or not dedicated. Skills outside the technical are devalued. Collection development, training, patron job assistance, and literacy programming might be what are taking up some of that time that “should” be devoted to technological skills acquisition. We do all have priorities. They all are different. Many of them, in addition to technology skill, may be librarianship based. And sometimes life intervenes.

Isn’t it kind of a compliment for someone to say to you “how do you keep up with everything, I don’t have time for that”? They are kind of amazed at your commitment.

While largely ignored by those outside school library circles, I think the article and subsequent conversations from last fall have relevance for all librarians and educators (it isn’t just library land struggling with these issues).

While I agree that we need to be self-starters and take initiative for our learning instead of always waiting for someone else to show us or lead the way, I think rants at those who are resisting or not making professional growth will pretty much fall on deaf ears no matter how articulate or spot-on they may be. I think the bigger issue is why has the administration of workplaces like libraries and education enabled stagnancy and complacency; perhaps advocating for a culture of innovation and creativity is a more effective strategy for encouraging people to engage in ongoing professional growth. It also makes me wonder if professional undergraduate and graduate programs are not stressing the importance of lifelong learning, curiosity, and knowing how to be a self-starting learner—this is evident in the whines I see periodically from librarians who lament their MLS program did not prepare them for librarianship (as if any program, not matter how good, can ever teach you everything you think you might need to know, which is a ridiculous expectation anyway).

The reality is not everyone is a self-starter, and we all have different learning styles; while I understand ad appreciate your frustration, I have to come realize in the last year that investing time in showing people concrete strategies for jump-starting their learning and the value in doing so is generally a much more effective approach that berating people. I think professional issues like this are a prime opportunity to demonstrate leadership through action and to build our “tribe”.

Buffy

TV is an easy time drain to focus on, but it could just as easily be taking care of a sick family member. Or dealing with a personal problem. Or raising goats! Cut people slack because we always over estimate our commitments while underestimating everyone else’s.