I've been searching around the 'net for ways organizations disseminate information and here is one of my findings. You can click on to this link: ALA for reference. The main point for this web page were the ways the ALA planned to disseminate their research information. One thought would be, "Well, just place it on the web page and they will come." Of course, this notion not only ruins a great movie line from Field of Dreams but it is also naive to think we all think the same way on how we gather information. Speaking for myself, not all research is easy to read on a computer monitor. Others may feel that printing the research findings is a waste of paper. Whatever is your own reason, the ALA decided on a few points of dissemination.- ALA has periodicals which research findings are disseminated including electronic versions.
- Face to face meeting or annual conferences are scheduled to also discuss the latest LIS research.
- Awards are given to excellence in research.
- Research on Libraries and Librarians are published in Annuals.
- Several library organizations also publish web essays which summarizes the research findings.
- Research committees also bear the responsibility of dissemination of their information rather than relying on just one source.
What is interesting to note, the date of this page was dated back on June 2001. Well before the creation of Facebook, MySpace, Blogging, Podcasting or other Web 2.0 tools, these steps the ALA created was sufficient for the times. If you click here ALA MySpace you can see how ALA has moved forward from 2001. This is not to say that the ALA should forget their stated methodology but continue to find ways to bring information to the people who want it... easier. Next thing you know, they're posting videos on YouTube...
2 comments:
I really enjoyed this post, I had no idea that ALA has a myspace! Now that I think about it, who doesn’t? Myspace and the like are an excellent way to disseminate information, in and of itself. I agree that it is very important to keep to the traditional methods while staying current on new techniques, particularly during transitional stages. This helps reach new viewers
I wholeheartedly agree! I love the ways that ALA reaches out to librarians in the profession, those interested in it, and even other professional organizations that do not have a stated interest in librarians or librarianship! Outreach is key for recognizability, and we need some form of recognition in order to be valued by our communities and stakeholders. For a long time, libraries have depended on advocacy such as that from ALA to defend against closing libraries, losing qualified staff, and other harmful changes caused by those who choose to cut the library budget rather than make economical cuts in other areas.
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