How Technology Has Affected Public Libraries
Sunday, April 28, 2013
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
http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/a7/2f/books,cartoon,funny,library,netflix-a72f0afe18ddcba7d2462e48b48125a8_h.jpg
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
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
21st 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/
Monday, January 28, 2013
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
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