Is this our competition?

After viewing several of the answer sites and the David Lee King article on Ask-a Librarian Services need a Reboot I would say that all these sites are ok for whatever you want to know on any subject. But you have to be very literate how you use and identify this information. I think the "Slam the Boards" is a good invention to get reference librarians to answer the questions.

We field questions quite often from all corners of the US about genealogy, for example, via e-mail. We answer as soon as possible. We are in a rural area and we are not open 24/7 since city budgets don't allow a large staff or extended hours.
We do have our website with our on-line catalog. Patrons will use this site to find a book, reserve or renew materials. We post on Twitter and Facebook.
We have had an increase of patrons using our computer lab since they can't afford computers or the Internet at home. They still need our guidance to get them to sites for their reference questions.

All and all I don't think we need to be worried about "The competition-the answer sites on the web". Patrons will still need the "real" librarian in the future.
After all we provide much more than just a building we are a reliable resource. We incorporate all the modern technology into our services. We are also very visible in our community through all the programs we do.
Again I think the Answering sites are an enhancement if used correctly.

My lifelong learning goals

Watching the tutorial on lifelong learning I set myself some goals to continue to grow in my knowledge about the computer technology and library science in general.
I will try not dwell on the fact that I might be too old to continue to learn all there is to learn about new technology.
#4 habit of the 7 1/2 habits of successful lifelong learning will be the most difficult for me. I always am afraid to try something new and something I am unfamiliar with.
I also will try to view problems that might come up in my age not as obstacles but as a challenge to deal with them, overcome them or ignore them at best as in habit #3.