Thursday, April 18, 2013

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

 I hope you enjoy!





Tuesday, April 2, 2013

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.

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