how emerging trends and technologies will affect the library john burke alao ssig spring workshop...
TRANSCRIPT
How Emerging Trends and Technologies Will Affect the Library
John BurkeALAO SSIG Spring WorkshopMay 8-9, 2003
Coping and keeping up
Where’s the wind blowing?
What’s new? How do I prepare? Will I be working in a library in 10 years? 5?
Contrasting examples; stories that teach
A list of lessons learned and steps to follow
Library technology truths
Dual technology needs: streamline our workflow and serve the public
Add popular technologies both by demand and proactively
We create our own systems on occasion Budget pressures often slow changes New items both replace and complement Both products and processes Computers are a key technology today, but not the
only crucial one
Truth #1:Not all technology works as expected
Failure – the Rudolph Indexer
View 175 catalog cards at once
12,000+ cards in single indexer
Too expensive; never caught on
Success – Shared cataloging
MARC records
OCLC
Cooperation continues
Technologies on the rise
Handhelds – Palm Pilots, Pocket PCs, Cell phones, Tablet PCs
Wireless networking Open source software MP3s DVDs E-books Full-text reference books and periodicals
What can we learn?
Three possibilities for each new technology: Essential technologies that last (DDC, OPAC, etc.) “Flashes in the pan” that never materialize (Rudolph
Indexer, bubble memory, etc.) Transitional technologies that have shorter lifespans
(8-track tapes, records, etc.)
We hope to choose 1 early, accept 3 before it’s too late, and avoid 2 altogether
Truth #2: It’s hard to know what patrons will want or need
Trends in society
66% of Americans use computers at home or work (over 54% use the Internet)
Reading habits: more “scanning” 90% of children and teens use computers 50% of homes have DVD players
42% of U.S. adults are not Internet users (Pew Internet Study)
“Thumb tribe” Technology Society Biology (?) oyayubizoku – Japanese (or “clan of the
thumb”)
How do we adjust to the trends?
Mixed bag
Stress customer service
Patrons want self-suffiency
Patrons need guides and helpers
We need to be flexible – alter workflow, policies
Truth #3: Libraries face many concerns and choices
Trends in libraries
Nearly universal Internet access in public libraries Graying of profession (63% of librarians are > 45) Less spending on books, but higher circulation Budget cutbacks More and bigger electronic resources to buy Audiovisual spending is growing 24/7/365 access and assistance Buildings – need flexible, tech-friendly spaces Digital reference – chat, email Focus on adaptive devices and web design
Major issues to solve Copyright Confidentiality – USA Patriot Act, etc. Access – “digital divide” Library budgets Archiving of digital resources (& long-term access) One-stop access to resources – easy interfaces More fee, less free resources Spam, cyberterrorism, and the regulated Internet Marketing the library, finding niches Cooperation among libraries
Where to turn?
It’s always been this way to some degree
Libraries must have a voice in solutions
Stay in communication
Stay a little behind, but still see who’s up front
Be informed (Technology Awareness Resources handout at www.users.muohio.edu/burkejj/)
Truth #4: Not every library needs the same technologies
A tale of two libraries
Cerritos Library, Cerritos, CA (cml.ci.cerritos.ca.us/static.htm)
Oscar Johnson Memorial Library, Silverhill, AL (www.gulftel.com/bclc/bclibraries/silverhill.html)
Different on the outside . . .
. . . And on the inside
Both have computers . . .
. . . But only one has a dinosaur.
What does our library need?
Know thy community
Consider the budget
Don’t fear change
Remember Truth #1
Take a few leaps of faith
Truth #5: All visions are imperfect,
but we need them
Visions of the Future:Yesterday Charles Ammi Cutter (1883) The Buffalo Public Library in 1983 Guessed wrong:
Sprawling, many floored library An army of uniformed pages Scrupulously clean and dust free Multiple “reading rooms”
Guessed right: Fax machines, interlibrary loan, photocopying Mass electric power
Based his thoughts on what he could see
Visions of the future:Today Raymond Kurzweil (2000) The “Terminator” future
2009 – wearable computers 2019 – books are rarely used 2029 – implants connect us to the Internet
Libraries fade away Unabated development of technology We’ll have to wait and see
Vision #1: “It’s Alive!”
Primary access to information is electronic Most users access materials remotely Private companies offer content and access equal to
and beyond that of libraries – competition and outsourcing
Our interaction with the Internet and networked information sources becomes a single interface, perhaps voice responsive
Library cannot compete as a public space – home becomes central
Vision #2: Ozymandias
Things fall apart: current tech cannot be sustained
Bleeding edge stops bleeding Archival issues end e-resource use Declining funds push libraries to print only Terrorism makes networks unworkable Libraries survive as they always have, and grow
as centers of information and learning A step back, or a step ahead?
Vision #3: Today & tomorrow
Public, academic, school, & special libraries Near-universal Internet access (thanks to us) Many electronic resources Declining periodical collections Growth of e-books and other publications on
handheld devices Remote access to resources is available, and
growing in use Library is still a vital spot for the community
The future for support staff
Jobs increasing (66% of library workers now) Workload shift continues (more formerly MLS-
only duties) Entry requirements increasing (in places) “Graying” & retention issues Opportunities to seek MLS (if desired) Pay may rise, but slowly
Lessons Learned
1. Not all technology works as expected2. It’s hard to know what patrons will want or need3. Libraries face many concerns and choices4. Not every library needs the same technologies5. All visions are imperfect, but we need them
Consider the essentials of our work as you innovate
Five New Laws of Library Science
1. Libraries serve humanity.2. Respect all forms by which knowledge is
communicated.3. Use technology intelligently to enhance service.4. Protect free access to knowledge.5. Honor the past and create the future. Revised: Walt Crawford and Michael Gorman
Further reading
Gorman, Michael. Our Enduring Values. Chicago: American Library Association, 2000.
Wisconsin Library Services. New Tech News. (www.wils.wisc.edu/pubs/ntn/)
Burke, John. Neal-Schuman Library Technology Primer. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., 2000.
Questions or Comments?
John J. Burke, MSLSAssistant Library DirectorGardner-Harvey LibraryMiami University Middletown(513) [email protected]://www.users.muohio.edu/burkejj/