Day 2, IL2009 – Libraries of the Future – Places of Desire – Paul Holdengarber interviewed by Erik Boekestejin

  After Day 1’s lively Keynote intervew of  Vint Cerf by Paul Holdengarber, we all eagerly awaited today’s Keynote.  This time the tables were turned and Paul Holdengarber was interviewed by Erik Boekestejin.  The program started with a video of Erik talking to Paul inside the New York Public Library.  It then went live with the two men entering our room and taking their seats for the interview process.  Following are some of the excerpts and snippets from this interview. 

Paul’s  goal is to make the lions roar – “to oxygenate the NY Library.”

He believes in the friction of dialog.

Dr. Holdengarber wants to make the library a lively place for exchange of ideas.

There is a direct connection between being interesting and having interests.

Sometimes meeting people in the flesh can be a great disappointment.  Just because you can write well doesn’t mean you can speak well.

Reading is a private experience, not a group activity.

Gaming in a library environment can be one thing among many.  Sometimes the desire to get a young audience at all costs might be a bit desperate.  Does gaming lead to another activitiy?

In discussing his very successful programming at NYP, Paul had these suggestions for all libraries - 
 - You need more than just to have a program – have a HAPPENING!! 
 - In smaller libraries, get to know your audience.  Surprise them from time to time.  Get to know about their tastes. 

The time just flew by with the live interviewing intersperced with short videos.  I actually hated to see the lively and humorous exchange of ideas come to an end.  For more information on LIVE from NYPL, see their website – http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/pep/index.cfm.