It’s difficult, as Rochelle says, because it is hard to know what kinds of things librarians in our positions should be responsible for knowing.

And now I see that I was coming at this from a completely different angle than you were, mostly due to our different work environments. People really ask librarians about SD cards and mp3 players and cell phones? That’s news to me, because at the small private college where I work, no one would think of asking about those things at the reference desk (and we’d refer them to the IT help desk–or the manufacturer’s help desk–if they did).

I think it also comes from being a public service desk librarian, and being asked by our users about everyday technology that many of us don’t use in our every days. I laughed at your comment about being able to “cut and paste” code “like everyone else.” I wasn’t even thinking about that side of tech when I posted because it is absolutely not part of my job. And, I think the range of responses we’re seeing demonstrates just how broadly we characterize “technology.” I think it’s valid to admit clumsiness with SD cards and cell phones because many of us regularly get questions at the ref (and circ!) about tools and applications. Libraries are starting gadget garages to get staff up to speed on phones, mp3 players, etc. The bigger question is: how far do we go to support technology?