What is this all about?

Good question. I created this blog as a place to post my contributions to the discussion about the future of books and libraries. The immediate impetus was a recent post at if:book. There, Roger Sperberg contributed a piece of work that was intended as a reponse to the now (in)famous comments by John Updike from the recent Book Expo. I replied to Roger, who replied to me. Well, I really wanted to reply to Roger again, but it would have been getting off topic and, hey, it's not my blog and I don't know him and don't want to start a whole thing . . . you know?

So, this is my blog, and now I can post whatever I want.

What might you expect to see here? Another good question. I don't know yet. Let me give you the big picture. I'm a technology manager for an urban public library in the midwest or south (depending on who you ask). Among other things, I'm charged with trying to divine where libraries are headed, and how to plan our use of technology to maximize on our resources, provide reliable and secure services, and contribute to the greater good through innovation and exploration. So I do have something more than an academic interest in these issues. And hopefully, my own experiences in the day to day world, providing services with limited staffing and fiscal resources can provide a perspective on where libraries are going.

At the same time, there's a rather obvious connection between the future of books and the future of libraries. So my ears burn when people talk about where books are headed and how they changing and what things are going to be like in the future, short-term or long-term.

A few other things I'd say about me . . . then I'll try to move on to books. I love music, I'm a foodie, and I enjoy sports. I like to travel, I'm a long-time admirer of John Updike's work, and I have a background in history, religious studies, and the sciences.

I took my first library job in 1983, in my college library, since I didn't want to work in the cafeteria. I also thought (wrongly) that I would be able to read at work. I loved it, but I didn't get to read. I have been with my current library since 1997, and I've been managing our computer services department since April 2000. I have a dry, pretty weird sense of humor, I'm very friendly, and I'm only a little bit geeky. So, if you have an interest, add me as a favorite. I have the RSS thing working, so you can just sit back and wait for me to come to you. I'll try to make it worth your while.

Welcome. Now, what about the future of books and libraries?