The more I read about digital natives, the more I want to call the idea bunk. (I used to be a big proponent of the concept.)

Ah! I must read that. Perhaps an article on the topic? I've been keeping halfway decent records of reference/computer questions. Combine that with anecdotal evidence from you and we might have a nice little read...

iPads and experimentation

For the fifth time since the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) was passed in 1998, the Library of Congress is preparing to grant limited rights to crack DRM locks on digital content. Not that it matters much; despite an increased willingness at the Library to grant such permission, the actual tools most people need to bypass DRM remain forbidden.

Not exactly relevant, but an interesting read.

Here's a nice summery of an internet librarian session.

I especially liked this quote: I'll call attention once again to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's House Party as an example of an excellent new year kick-off event. There's no bait-and-switch, but they have built-in incentives to keep students coming back to use the library for its intended purpose. For example, the winner of the Texas Hold'Em tournie wins their own study table in the library for the year, complete with a nice sign designating it their table. The first interaction most new students have with a librarian is having their palm read or playing ninja tag with them, not finding out about resources which they don't yet need. We do much the same with our button-making booth and CARNinfoVAL. It's a strong, unexpected first impression.

Now here's a new take on the "digital native" debate. I once bought into that whole concept, but find myself rethinking it. Perhaps the landscape has just changed so much that I'm on the path of deportation? I love this quote: Digital native is a fantasy invented by the fans of silicon valley to pigeonhole a generation for the sake of selling technology, but the truth is far less convenient. Not only the digital natives, but many people take on a feral state in their interactions with the internet, as it constantly shifts its boundaries, its cities and deserts. Likewise, the library is a place where we ought to allow for the feral. The ACRL information literacy standards are only useful to the domesticated to promote their efficient and purposeful use of the library.

Here's an interesting one. I wonder where most of our users would fit in...