You know, I don't necessarily think that these sites are our competition. In many ways, these sites are answering questions that people never get up the nerve to come to the desk to ask us anyway. I've given this some thought long before this "Thing": the reference desk is somewhat flawed in that most people don't approach it unless they absolutely have to.
Two aspects are at play: time and risk. The internet gives people a "what the hell" card: they can have a fleeting musing and immediately get a generalized answer, and choose which generalized answer they think works for them, with no face-to-face interaction. People are risking something when they ask any question, and also placing themselves in an unpredictable situation. Any human interaction is fraught with some emotional connection, and I think people avoid this with strangers as much as possible, especially if they feel they can get what they need elsewhere. Sure, there are those who have approached the desk and had a perfectly satisfactory experience and would not hesitate to do it again. I would be willing to bet, however, that most of the people using the online Q&A sites are people who have rarely, if ever, used the library. Never mind come within a stones throw of the reference desk.
Two aspects are at play: time and risk. The internet gives people a "what the hell" card: they can have a fleeting musing and immediately get a generalized answer, and choose which generalized answer they think works for them, with no face-to-face interaction. People are risking something when they ask any question, and also placing themselves in an unpredictable situation. Any human interaction is fraught with some emotional connection, and I think people avoid this with strangers as much as possible, especially if they feel they can get what they need elsewhere. Sure, there are those who have approached the desk and had a perfectly satisfactory experience and would not hesitate to do it again. I would be willing to bet, however, that most of the people using the online Q&A sites are people who have rarely, if ever, used the library. Never mind come within a stones throw of the reference desk.
I'll admit, I'm one of the first to Google for an answer because, frankly, it usually serves me well. There's a big difference between finding out a general idea and doing a research paper on something. Even with things such as law or finances I feel I at least get an overview of an issue so that I can ask (more) educated questions about the issue. I guess, too, I think the Q&A sites are fairly okay for really pragmatic things like handyman things or household issues, but I've never once had an answer come anywhere near satisfactory on those sites. I've never actually asked a question directly, but the archives give me an idea of the caliber of the answers. I guess I would try to go to an expert website first.
The library would be a perfect place to get answers to many of the questions thrown up on these sites, but for one problem: you have to go to the library OR you have to get up off your fat ass and punch in your library card number to access databases (I guess that's two problems). Libraries are not available for drunken, 3AM stream of consciousness questions, libraries can't provide quick "good enough" answers in between work projects at someones desk and library websites are not the entire internet.
I think libraries are for different things than what the Q&A sites provide. And that's just fine.
I think libraries are for different things than what the Q&A sites provide. And that's just fine.
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