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MLIS 7120: Government Information Sources

 

This course is delivered on-line. We have no formal class hours and no formal office hours. We communicate by phone or by e-mail. We can set up phone appointments by phone. I pledge to respond within two "business days" to email.

  • Contact

Dr. Wallace Koehler
MLIS Program
Valdosta State University
1500 N Patterson
Valdosta, GA31698-0150
Phone: 229-245-3732 Fax: 229-259-5055
E-mail: wkoehler@valdosta.edu

  • Editorial

These are interesting times for librarians. In some ways they are even more interesting times for government documents librarians. Why? First, the library profession is undergoing a metamorphosis. 

The first is a change in format from "solid" documents (print, microfilm) to "semi-solid" like CD-ROM, to the ethereal digital variety. 

Second, not only must we be able to manage different packages or formats, we must also be expert in various information management practices. These include the time tested cataloging systems and thesauri (and there many) as well as the newer ones directed at electronic media (like Dublin Core or XML). 

Third, librarians and particularly government documents librarians will be managing larger and larger distributed collections. You as a librarian will be less and less able to literally  "lay hands on" your collection. Moreover, patrons are more likely to interact with you from an electronic distance than ever before.

No, I don't think this metamorphosis will turn us into one of  Kafka's cockroaches. Will we face extermination in our own libraries? Maybe. We are facing several interesting trends. The successful librarian will retain the ability to learn from, to respond to, and to contribute to them.  Become both reactive and proactive.