Transportation Information: What Comes Next? Robert C. Johns, Director Center for Transportation Studies University of Minnesota Knowledge & Library Connectivity Conference: MTKN Fifth Annual Meeting and Transportation Library Connectivity Pooled Fund Study Consortium October 19, 2005 Kansas City, Missouri

Tremendous Progress Minnesota Planning Meeting Wisconsin Conference NCHRP Scoping Study TRB Policy Study Pooled Fund Project Today: A Perspective on Future Directions

T.S. Eliot “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” (From the poem by T. S. Eliot, The Rock)

Influential Thinkers Peter Drucker: Knowledge Worker Peter Senge: Learning Organization Andrew Van de Ven: Innovation Journey Richard Florida: Creative Age

Technology Evolution IBM 360, Service Bureau Personal Computer, VisiCalc Word Processing Centers, Early Voic , Pagers Internet , World Wide Web Cell Phones, PDAs Blackberries, Treos

Information in Context (DIKW) Data Information Knowledge Wisdom (From Harlan Cleveland)

Key Players Data: IT Professionals Information: Librarians, Writers, Analysts Knowledge: Transportation Professionals, Managers Wisdom: Executives, Managers

Use of Information in Decisions Data and Information Staff are Resources to Professionals Professionals Use Data and Information to Enhance Knowledge and Propose Actions Managers Use Proposals by Professionals to Recommend Options Executives Use Wisdom to Choose Directions How to get Executive Support for Library Activities?

Importance of Relationships Executive’s Wisdom Influenced by Source of Recommendation (Trust) Professionals Influenced by Peers in their Network (AASHTO, TRB, etc.) Example: Rural Safety Center in SAFETEA- LU Key Question for Executive Support: What is Relationship of Librarians to Professionals?

CTS Information Activities Researchers Produce Data, Information and Recommendations CTS Goal is to Influence Knowledge of Professionals and Managers Complaints of Ivory Tower, Theory Strategy: Integrated Set of Information Activities Success Gains Support of Executives

Making Information Available Both Hard Copy and Electronic Information Summaries by Technical Writers Newsletters Web Sites Translations Press Releases

Enhancing Relationships CTS Committees of Researchers and Professionals Seminars, Workshops, Conferences Technical Advisory Panels Executive and Management Committees CTS Relationships with Decision- Makers

CTS Example Completion of Research Report Design of Research Web Pages Customer Database for Mailing Lists Summary Articles in E-News and Web Links to Web Site for PDF and Browsing Subscription Page for Other Newsletters Seminar, Conference Session Press Release if Appropriate

Disciplines Required for Success Technical Writers Graphic Designers Librarians IT Professionals Conference Planners Facilitators/Trainers Public Relations Staff Leaders with Connections

Challenges and Risks Costs/Priority Integration of Disciplines Electronic Security Mistakes Customer Impacts Changing Technology/Roles

Future Directions Library Services Infrastructure Collection, Cataloguing, Reference Electronic Access/Searches Essential But Not Enough Also Need Proactive Information Activities

Future Directions Expand and Define Role of Librarians Provide Value to and Enhance Relationships with Professionals Integrate Information Disciplines Educate Management Hierarchy Give Visibility to Executive Champions Influence/Monitor Changes in Terminology, Education, etc. Embrace Team Leadership

Margaret Mead “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”