theorywatch

Terrific piece by Thomas Mann of LOC describing his ideal reference world, which incorporates expert mediated guidance, extensive use of both physical and digital finding aids, outstanding collection resources, and a healthy dose of scholarly curiosity. However, I suspect that, unless you are Thomas Mann, this convergence of experienced librarian, emerging scholar, and engaging topic given by his Athenian tribute example doesn’t happen too often. (And, when it does, should we call it a “perfect brainstorm”?)

Neverthless, his reference model, with its passing mentions of both resources I know well (Web of Science, but with a cool twist on specifying lit reviews only) and resources I don’t, but wish I had access to (Reference Universe, from Paratext, to which the OU library here apparently doesn’t subscribe) is wonderful reading. Great for beginning librarians and beginning scholars. And thought-provoking for the rest of us: what are we losing by not taking this broader perspective in our rush to digitize?

By the way, both his current book and his earlier one should be on our shelves.

librariana, philosophy, research