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A very brief introduction to the Echo Chamber problem

Date post: 18-Oct-2014
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An introduction to the Echo Chamber problem and how it applies to libraries. We spend too much time talking about how great libraries are to like-minded peers - we need to start preaching to the unconverted. Feel free to use this, with attribution.
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a brief introduction to the echo chamber problem Ned Potter (@theREALwikiman www.thewikiman.org/blog
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Page 1: A very brief introduction to the Echo Chamber problem

a brief introduction to

the echo chamber problemNed Potter (@theREALwikiman)www.thewikiman.org/blog

Page 2: A very brief introduction to the Echo Chamber problem

The echo chamber effect refers to any situation in which information, ideas or beliefs are amplified or reinforced by transmission inside an "enclosed" space

Page 3: A very brief introduction to the Echo Chamber problem

In other words, you share your views with like-minded peers, they agree with you, you agree right back with them.

It’s pretty sweet.

Page 4: A very brief introduction to the Echo Chamber problem

THE TROUBLE WITH THIS, FROM A LIBRARY POINT OF VIEW, IS THAT WE SEEM TO ONLY TALK TO EACH OTHER ABOUT HOW GREAT LIBRARIES ARE.

Librarian A: Hey, aren’t libraries so much better than people give them credit for?Librarian B: OMG, totally. People outside the industry have no idea how much libraries have moved on! We’re at the cutting edge of content delivery! Librarian A: I know! If only our potential patrons knew this.Librarian B: Exactly! Hey look, there’s Librarian C – let’s go tell her about how great libraries are too.Librarian A: We’re spreading the word, buddy. High five!

Page 5: A very brief introduction to the Echo Chamber problem

OR:News Anchor: So in conclusion, libraries look pretty screwed. Librarian A: Hey, that report was wrong in several places! There were factual errors all over the place. For example, they said circulation was down, nationwide, but it’s actually UP for the first time in years!Librarian B: I know – let’s go and tell other librarians about how wrong it was, on Twitter.

Page 6: A very brief introduction to the Echo Chamber problem

That’s no good. We’re stuck inside an echo chamber – we’re preaching to the converted all the time.

We need to tell potential library users about how great we are, not each other.

Our resources should be targeted at the currently indifferent.

Page 7: A very brief introduction to the Echo Chamber problem

It’s about defending libraries every chance we get – we’re all engaged in library advocacy, all the time; it’s just a question of how well we take our opportunities.

It’s about fighting back using the same media our detractors use to say negative things about us.

And it’s not about self-promotion – it’s about showing people how libraries can contribute positively to their lives, in ways they might not know about already: demonstrating value.

Page 8: A very brief introduction to the Echo Chamber problem

It’s about reaching beyond the traditional and friendly audience

of our fellow Information Professionals, getting out of our

comfort zone, and above all making sure people can make AN

INFORMED DECISION as to whether or not to use their library

Page 9: A very brief introduction to the Echo Chamber problem

LEARN MORE:• Download the one-page article from Library & Information Update (.pdf)• Read the twitter archive• … or see everything in one place on the Netvibes page

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

• Write a blog post with the tag ‘echolib’, or Tweet with the hashtag #echolib

COME TO A PRESENTATION::

Laura Woods and I will be talking about the Echo Chamber problem on • 17th November, at mini-Umbrella event, Newcastle• 24th November, at SLA-Europe event, London• 6th January, at Libraries@Cambridge event, Cambridge• 12th July, at Umbrella, London


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