Daniels Chronological Report by Alexandria Daniels

This video explains the internet and how to connect to Wi-Fi.

 I hope you enjoy!

Adapting to the Change

“The core tenets of librarianship – i.e. educating the public by providing free access to information- remains the same. Technology will only enhance the ability to meet this mission. Librarians should embrace technological change as they always have.” I don’t know much about the academic library but I have worked in the public library for over 12 years. I feel like we are advocates providing valuable information whether in the library or on the net to people that can’t afford it themselves. We are still the main place for acquiring or providing access to books, and other media that meet the educational, recreational, and informational needs of our users.

In America, millions of people, mostly poor, still lack Internet access. (According to the U.S. Census, in 2009 somewhat over thirty percent of households did not have a home Internet connection.) Millions of others, mostly older, do not know how to download books, and millions more feel uncomfortable reading on a screen, as opposed to paper. (Bell, 33).

But right now that’s not my issue. The dilemma I see on a daily basis is the fact that we are standing at the doorway of great transition from print to electronic resources. Many people don’t want to transition, while others want a 100% transition, and so publishers are trying to please both audience-while leaning toward the format, which is more profitable for the –of course.

So the question that has been running through my head is where do we (libraries & librarians) stand? As publisher we too are trying to please our audience, along with keeping up with the most current technology and trends.  So should we buy more desktop computer, laptops, and tablets and have computer check out services. 

The role of libraries has hardly changed; people still flock to them for quiet study, advanced research and to learn about new things. With the Internet, a lot more of that is taking place at computer screens, rather than card catalogs. But are Librarians ready for the change? And I have to say that it’s 50/50, some of us are ready to launch out while others see the change as a huge downturn. What do you think?

Reference

Bell, D. A. (2012). The Bookless Library. New Republic, 243(12), 31-36.

http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/a7/2f/books,cartoon,funny,library,netflix-a72f0afe18ddcba7d2462e48b48125a8_h.jpg

 

Vivacious 21st Century Librarian

Many people believe that Books are being pushed aside for digital learning centers and gaming areas. "Loud rooms" that promote public discourse and group projects are taking over the bookish quiet. Hipster staffers who blog, chat on Twitter and care little about the Dewey Decimal System are edging out old-school librarians (Sutter).

So how can working librarians get past the chronic stereotypes and present themselves as information professionals who represent a vivacious 21st century profession? Personally I believe the stereotype that librarians have will always be there; because for one it gives people something funny say when they come in contact with someone that works at a library. I too must admit that I once stereotyped librarians. I always thought of librarians as being mean, old, and smart (I thought they knew everything).  I viewed them (us) that way because that’s all I had seen on television, so when my parents would take me to the library it terrified me.

Now as technology is progressing so has the duties of a librarian, and they are changing constantly, but the foundation will forever be the same. But getting past the stereotype and striving in the 21^st century doesn’t and won’t happen overnight.

Working librarians will get past the chronic stereotypes by knowing who they are as a person and as a professional. Many people become librarians because they enjoy helping others find information. We have librarians that are stereotyped as tall, short, big, little, big hair, no hair, with teeth, and without teeth. None of these attributes contribute or take away from how we provide services to our users.

Today more than any time in history information is more social and more online and because of this, librarians are possessing a whole new professional look.  The physical building of a library no longer enslaves librarians to a particular space. Librarians now must venture into the digital space, becoming a professional on Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs. With the new found duties are also some new titles; Information Scientist or Information Specialist (Sutter,2009).

Reference

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/04/future.library.technology/

Digital Revolution

Libraries were once popular to check out a book from the shelf, now people are seeking the latest e-books. We use to operate type writer now we have computers, android tablets, and I-pads. As information specialist we have to move with the times and with the trends. Keeping up with what’s going on around us and with the latest technology is a plus for any library that desires to be successful in their profession. I believe librarian will always be labeled as something other than information professional, but that don’t mean we can give any less, we will just have to continue to work hard and maybe one day, we’ll get the professional respect we deserve.

Libraries provide resources of knowledge whereby a person can access books, periodicals, newspapers, journals, etc. Today we are providing dvds, cds, e-readers, tablets, ipads, and computers. Libraries are still the main place for acquiring or providing access to books, periodicals, and other media that meet the educational, recreational, and informational needs of their users. New technologies are dramatically increasing the accessibility of information, and librarians have to adapt to develop the needs of our users, that have emerged from the adoption of these new technologies.

A decade into the 21st century, The digital revolution shows no signs of slowing, and the library community are both struggling to keep up and envisioning future library services that incorporate new philosophies, new technologies and new spaces to meet the needs of all users more effectively than ever before.

 

Reference:

http://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/americaslibraries/librariestechnology