Carolyn在2003年被時代雜誌評選為年度最佳圖書館員，其麾下引導的圖書館Skokie
Public Library位在美國伊利諾州，於2008年獲選為全美年度最佳圖書館與博物館之一，2014年Skokie Public Library又被選為組織改革和策略管理最有原創力的圖書館。她認圖書館館員應該具備良好知能、有覺察力與負責任，可以連結人、運用資源、並解決服務社區內的問題 (註1)。Carolyn在圖書館25年專業工作期間非常活躍，其傑出的表現促成她在2012年被選為全美公共圖書館委員會的總裁，今年任期剛屆滿。在此要說明美國公共圖書委員會是美國圖書館協會中成長最快速的組織，在全美各地會員達9,000位。
環顧影響全美公共圖書館重要的發明，她看到網際網路、數位出版、圖書館自動化系統、關鍵字搜尋、發現系統是影響公共圖書館重要的改變。儘管影響公共圖書館的重要因素非全是資訊科技，但是這些主要變革卻非常科技導向，也證明科技確實帶來很重要的影響。從資訊的爆炸讓資訊的單位成本變低，資訊取得的方式也越來越便利，資訊傳達的裝置透過平板電腦、手機隨手可得，此一發展結果更加凸顯圖書館員協助資訊選擇和資訊利用的職責加重，公共圖書館扮演社區資源中心，提供資源自由使用。回歸到變革的本身，應該以其所服務的社區或城市需要為主要訴求，所以在Urban Libraries Council所主張的口號「Inspiring Libraries, Transforming Communities」就是要館員在社區內尋求有創意的學習方式或人力資源，以科技為輔，讓社區機能有所改善與向上提升。
Carolyn指出在美國成功的公共圖書館的要素需有充足的經費、願意支持和有所為的行政當局、具前瞻的領導主管、具備各種公共服務能力的成員、高度專業的認知與投入，透過圖書館在社區的能見度、結合良好的社區夥伴參與團體結盟促成圖書館的活動。成功的公共圖書館反映出社區價值和社區總體意義。對於台灣的圖書館來說，此概念仍舊適用，要能夠充分反映社區或者居民所需，達成社區的經濟發展、健全社會、公民參與，圖書館肩負其資訊素養與民眾教育的任務。
她深信圖書館在學習和社區發展上有其不可忽視的地位，圖書館不僅是資訊資源中心，更是學習中心，公共圖書館深得大部份的美國公民的信賴，藉由公共圖書館提供舒適與讓人喜愛、社會化的學習場域，每個人可以很自在的取得各式資訊資源，妥善運用資源來達成個人學習目標，成為社會改變的動力。此願景也是驅使Carolyn發揮熱情所在，進而在圖書館做出影響力。在台灣圖書館館慶的演講中，她將以公共圖書館發展方向與成果評估來分享她多年的專業經驗，讓我們拭目以待。
Library Watch：以您在美國公共圖書館館長25年的經驗來看，請舉出影響美國公共圖書館最重要的5項發明，和最不具影響力的5項發明。
Carolyn：
過去25年影響美國公共圖書館前5 個發明有—
- 網際網路開啟連網、溝通與查詢之路，新進趨勢將轉向WiFi。
- 數位出版改變參考資源與期刊的出版、購買成本及陳列方式。
- 整合性圖書館自動化系統提供資源檢索和利用快速的服務成效。
- 關鍵字查詢讓資訊查詢簡易化。
- 發現系統提供圖書館資源的單一入口查詢。
相形於較不具影響的發明，像是光碟塔普遍採行在學院、大學圖書館、QR
code在美國以外的一些國家盛行，RFID因為成本較高，採行需要有些額外經費考量，上述五種主要影響是普遍改變了整個環境。
Library Watch：從您長期在公共圖書館的耕耘，您怎麼解讀趨勢發展？可以進一步談談你的見解。
Carolyn：
資訊演進是個主流趨勢，資訊從稀有昂貴變得大量而價廉。許多發展讓資訊與圖書館資源變得容易擷取與利用。圖書館員的職責從資料徵集轉向資料利用指引。讀者面對大量的資訊，需要有正確的資訊利用技巧和資訊判斷來做搜尋和學習，以便於將知識轉成智慧。
Library Watch：電子資源崛起，有些預言說圖書館將會消失。Urban
Library Council的口號為「Inspiring
Libraries. Transforming Communities」，請問改革的核心概念和價值是什麼？有些什麼創新成果？
Carolyn：
圖書館改變了工作的內容，圖書館不會因此消失，進而會扮演社區資源中心的角色。誠如Urban Libraries Council在公共圖書館群所主張的口號，「激勵圖書館，改變社區」，是要讓圖書館員尋求有創意的資源、館外人力，成為創造者，去刺激與促進社區的改造。這樣的創造需以適應區域化發展的可行方案為主要考量。
Library Watch：從你的觀點，你可以談談台灣公共圖書館和美國間的差異性。
Carolyn：
我對於台灣的認識是陌生的，因此要對台灣公共圖書館提建議比較不容易。然而我所了解的是台灣在公共圖書館應用資訊科技的普及性比美國來的多。例如用機器來協助尋架和讀架。在美國如芝加哥大學採用這樣的方式，公共圖書館是不常見的。
Library Watch：你對台灣圖書館有沒有什麼建言？
Carolyn：
我的建言是要以社區和社區住民的需求和期待為主，公共圖書館必須結合各種資源服和社區發展標，並促成區域內的經濟發展、健全社會、公民參與，圖書館有肩負資訊素養教育與民眾教育的目標。
Library Watch：美國公共圖書館成功的因素為何？
Carolyn：
美國公共圖書館成功的因素有：充足的經費、願意支持和有所為的行政主管機關、具前瞻的館長領導、具備各種公共服務能力的成員、高度的專業認知與投入，透過圖書館在社區的能見度、結合良好的社區夥伴參與團體結盟促成圖書館的活動。成功的公共圖書館在在會反映出社區價值和社區總體意義。
Library Watch：看到您在圖書館積極推動和參與圖書館服務，您可以告訴我們您對專業的熱情與信念是什麼?
Carolyn：
我深信圖書館在學習和社區發展上有其不可忽視的地位，圖書館不僅是資訊資源中心，更是學習中心，公共圖書館深得大部份的美國公民的信賴，藉由公共圖書館提供舒適與讓人喜愛、社會化的學習場域，每個人可以很自在的取得各式資訊資源，妥善運用資源來達成個人學習目標，成為社會改變的動力。此願景也是驅使我發揮熱情所在，可以在圖書館做出影響力。
Library
Watch：As a
leader and a director of the public libraries in the States for the past 25
years, can you name the TOP 5 innovation that made the most impact for the
public libraries? Similarly, can you name the TOP 5 innovations that
failed to make real impact?
Carolyn：
Top Innovations of the last 25 years with an impact on
public libraries in the U.S.
While there certainly are many innovations which are not
technology dependent (Skokie Public Library was recognized by the Urban
Libraries Council as a 2014 Top Innovator for Organizational Change and
Strategic Management.) the innovations which have had the biggest impact on
public libraries in the past 25 years are all technology based.
- Internet---The Internet with its implications for networking, searching, and communicating has had the most profound impact on public libraries in ways that continue to evolve as traffic moves more to WiFi.
- Digital publishing---Digital publishing revolutionized reference and periodical collections, providing access to much more timely information at a lower cost and with less of a footprint in the library building.
- Integrated Library System---The growth and refinement of the Integrated Library system has had a significant impact on access and resource sharing, shortening the time from ordering materials to their appearance in the catalog, and providing convenient access to both holdings and real-time shelf status of items in the collection.
- Keyword Searching----The ability to search by keyword in commonly used language has transformed information retrieval by eliminating the need for structured language searches, making possible full-text searching, and opening searching to lay persons.
- Discovery----The development of Discovery software with relational links to canvas a number of catalogs and indices in order to retrieve a broad sampling of search results from multiple sources and varying formats has made the single search more productive, if not necessarily comprehensive.
Innovations with less of an impact have been those of a
transitional nature such as CD ROM towers or interim formats such as VHS tapes.
While compact shelving has been quite helpful in scholarly collections, it is
less useful in public libraries which do not retain most library materials
indefinitely. QR codes held great promise, but have not really caught on in the
U.S. as they have in some other countries. RFID has made self check-out, returns
and sorting, as well as materials security more efficient, but has not been
widely adopted due to its high cost.
Library
Watch：With your
continuing contribution to the public libraries, do you see various trends
throughout the years heading toward a coherent direction? If there is
one, what is it? If not, why?
Carolyn：
Information has gone from being scarce and expensive to
being overwhelming in its abundance and relatively cheap. Various trends
throughout the years have also contributed to more convenient and ready access
to information and library materials. These trends have shifted much of the
responsibility for acquiring information and library materials to the lay
person, relieving libraries of the need to be transaction focused with the
simple provision of library materials and units of information. However, because
there are so many options in information resources, interfaces, and technology
used to access resources, library staff have become more involved with
instructing and guiding library users in such activities as refining their
searches, discovering appropriate apps, and downloading digital texts. Also, the more bits of information people
acquire alone at their smart phone or tablet, the more they seek opportunities
to come together with other people to make sense of the torrent of information.
Through such engagement, information is transformed into knowledge and learning
that, with reflection, may become wisdom.
Library
Watch：As the electronic resources emerging and growing, some
prediction indicates the libraries will be disappeared. The motto of the Urban
Library Council is “Inspiring Libraries. Transforming Communities”. What is the
concept and core value to the innovation? And what are achieved up to date?
Carolyn：
As indicated in my answer to question number 2, the work
of libraries is changing, but libraries are not in danger of disappearing. The
public library will continue to be a central resource in the community, freely
available to help individuals learn and to help communities thrive. Public
libraries have a continuing role in community development as referenced by the
Urban Libraries Council motto, “Inspiring Libraries, Transforming Communities.”
The Urban Libraries Council seeks to stimulate librarians in large urban public
libraries through such programs as the annual Innovators’ competition, and
through focused learning opportunities which generally involve hearing from some
creative people outside the library profession who have pioneered approaches to
learning, use of technology, or enabling cities to work effectively. Of course,
the networking among professional librarians is also critical for the sharing
of insight and innovation and therefore is an activity fostered by ULC, the
Public Library Association, and other professional organizations for
librarians. True innovation solves a problem or addresses a need which may not
even have been recognized by the persons who will benefit from it. Therefore,
“best practice” should not encourage exact replication of innovation, but
rather adaptation suited to the local environment.
Library
Watch：From your prospective, what are the major differences of the
public libraries between Taiwan and the States?
Carolyn：
I’m not sure that I know enough about the public
libraries in Taiwan to comment knowledgeably about the major differences
between public libraries in Taiwan and the U.S. One thing I do know is that
public libraries in Taiwan have carried the use of technology in the library
much further than public libraries in the U.S. For example, I understand that
some libraries in Taiwan use robots to retrieve materials from the stacks.
While some academic libraries such as the main library at the University of
Chicago have employed such technology, I don’t know of any public libraries in
the U. S. that have done so.
Library
Watch：What is your commend or recommendation to public librarians
in Taiwan?
Carolyn：
My recommendation to public librarians in Taiwan is to
keep outwardly focused on the community and local residents to remain
responsive and relevant to their ever changing needs and aspirations. Public
librarians should also partner with people in other agencies in the public and
private sector to help meet community goals in areas such as economic
development, health, civic engagement, digital literacy, and education.
Library
Watch：What are the success ingredients for the public libraries in
the States?
Carolyn：
Ingredients for a successful public library in the U.S.
include: adequate funding, a supportive and knowledgeable Board, leadership
with vision, a staff of varying backgrounds with excellent public service
orientation, a strong commitment to professional development, visibility of the
library in the community, engagement with the community through partnerships
with other public and private agencies and participation in local events and
initiatives. A successful public library contributes to addressing the primary
goals and concerns of its community, making it unique in its responsiveness,
and not just a replica of a library that has been successful elsewhere.
Library
Watch：With your past experiences as a director to promote library
enthusiastically, can you tell us more about your professional passion and
believes ?
Carolyn：
My professional passions and beliefs are probably
apparent from my answers to the other questions, but I believe strongly in the
public library as an agency for broad learning and community development. The
public library in the U.S. is somewhat unique among public institutions in its
enjoyment of public trust. This asset goes a long way toward enabling the
public library to serve not just as a resource for materials and information,
but as a connector among individuals and agencies within the community and as
an independent “third space” where all residents can feel welcome and
comfortable to pursue their individual learning goals. Staff enable the public
library to serve as a portal to an ever wider array of information resources
and formats, bringing the world of information to the individual in appropriate
and manageable chunks.
參考資料
1.
Bethany Vaccaro(2011)， Carolyn
Anthony, M.L.S. ’73，QUADAngels, Fall 2011, http://www.uri.edu/quadangles/class-acts-profiles/carolyn-anthony-m-l-s-73/
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