What are you reading, Robin Hartman?

I have been reading a book, Too Big to Know by David Weinberger, one of the keynote speakers at the American Library Association annual conference in Anaheim in June. Weinberger's message was so intriguing that I opted to buy the book. And since fellow librarian, Terri Bogan was going to stand in line to get an autograph for herself she got one signed for me too!

My goal was to finish the book before attending the Internet Librarian 2012 where Weinberger was the opening keynote speaker. I still had one chapter to go but that didn't stop me from introducing myself and taking a picture of me with him. (It is not the most flattering photo of either of us.)

He says that the networking of information (on the web) is making profound changes in our perception of knowledge itself. For centuries knowledge has been primarily associated with books-–not only the content, but the physical properties of books. In a way, he is applying 60s philosopher and media analyst, Marshall McLuhan's idea that “the medium is the message” to the web and taking it another step - saying that not only is the meaning transformed by the medium, but the effects of the current digital revolution actually influence what we experience as knowledge.

I like reading about management, libraries, and how information affects society. I have a stack of books on these subjects waiting for me.

For a fascinating interview on many levels, check out the October 1st episode of “This Week In Libraries” on Vimeo in which rock star status librarians, Erik Boekesteijn and Jaap Van de Geer of the Netherlands (closing keynote speakers Internet Librarian 2012) interview Dr. Weinberger about his book.

http://www.toobigtoknow.com/

Too Big To Know: Rethinking Knowledge Now That the Facts Aren't the Facts, Experts Are Everywhere, and the Smartest Person in the Room Is the Room by David Weinberger. Basic Books, c2011.

This book might be available for purchase through used booksellers like Better World Books.

You may also find this book at your local library by searching Worldcat.org

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