Ockham's Razor refers to a maxim which explains the idea that between things which appear equal, the simplest explanation is more likely to be correct; or between two similar theories, the simpler is preferred.
William of Ockham (1288-1348) was a logician and theologian who is credited with this concept of equality simplified. Mr. Ockham felt that any entity or issue should not be multiplied needlessly. Why the reference to a razor? Because Okcham's razor shaves away any unnecessary assumptions. For example, medical students memorize this idiom relating to Ockham's maxim: "When you hear hoof beats, think horses not zebras."
So how does Okcham's Razor apply to rural libraries today?
Small rural libraries are just as much a part of the future as those located in larger metropolitan areas or within academia, museums or think tanks. The future of information is just as relevant to a population of less than 2,500 as to a greater one. Adding value does not necessarily mean needlessly multiplying oneself and neither should it. The fact is, the future survival of rural libraries will depend completely on providing highly customized products and services to increasingly smaller client communities. The Ockham idiom here might be: "Keeping it simple means keeping it local."
The world of information has become increasingly complex, and the society we now live in has become information dependent. Here is where Ockham's Razor shines: The unnecessary assumption is that everything should be outsourced or linked in or globalized. The simple solution, however, encourages nontraditional librarianship in localized communities. What point is there in "going global" if you loose - or never establish - a link with your community to create the type of loyal relationship which precedes successful longevity?
There is a great potential for small-scale information services requiring little overhead and great expertise in your own backyard.
As rural librarians in small communities, it is your responsibility to network, collaborate, explore and evolve your resources and services to remain current both traditionally and non-traditionally for sustainable creative information centers.
If you don't precisely target your audience you will never be able to develop a universal approach to your very own community.
In today's channel changing, e-mailing, instant gratification, global society there is a new currency - time. Today's stressed out individuals and families value this new currency as much as anything else. What this means is that expectations and values have changed.
Reevaluate your library's priorities and ask how your library staff is factoring in the emotion and time necessary to create customer value and innovation.
If you ignore the emotion, the economics won't work because customers are driven to share their experiences. The bottom line is this: there is an advantage in going local rather than global and that advantage is creating a customer service experience because, in a small community, less really is more.
So if you feel the need to change, move or grow, shave away any unnecessary assumptions and make today's Ockham's Razor your maxim: "Keep it simple: think local not global!"
Is your library technically considered a Rural Library? And what exactly is Free Agent Librarianship?
According to the United States Census Bureau, rural areas comprise open country and settlements with fewer than 2,500 residents. Areas designated as rural can have population densities as high as 999 per square mile or as low as 1 person per square mile. On the other hand, according to the ALA/APA Rural Libraries Survey, rural librarians define rural differently: to some a library is rural if it is isolated; to another, a library is rural if the main patrons are in agriculture or commute long distances to larger metropolitan areas for work; and yet another defines rural as a population of less than 5000 with more deer per square mile than people!
Regardless of how you define your demographic, Free Agent Librarianship can be a reality in your library and in your life. A librarian who is a Free Agent is not subject to external constraints through organizational structures, influential and politically motivated library associations, and is not bound by traditional teachings, hierarchies or stereotypes. Free Agent Librarianship promotes a library professional who is set at liberty to create, organize and advance an eclectic librarianship for the purpose of providing highly customized services and inventive possibilities for community information centers focusing on the community at large.
Free Agent Librarianship is ALL about entrepreneurship and making your library the center of your community. So be one!!
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