Technology, historically speaking..

I have never really written a blog before, I have long suffered under the notion that I am not witty enough to have created something that others will want to read. This blog, of course, is not for personal pleasure, but rather is helping me as I work my way through my information systems course in the School of Library Science. I will include, on a weekly basis, a brief synopsis of the articles we have read for class, and of course what I took away from the experience of reading those articles. Lastly, I hope to include a solid discussion question that I can bring up during class, and will secure me a solid grade for this summer session! So here it goes…

Kochtanel and Matthews (2002). Ch.1. The evolution of LIS and enabling technologies. In Library Information Systems, pp, 3-12.

In the first chapter of Kochtanel and Matthews’ book we are provided with a structured overview of the origins and evolution of Library Information Systems from the first punch card systems in Texas and Missouri to the detailed digital landscape that users work with today in libraries across the country. Libraries have long been on the cutting edge of technology, forced into such a role to initially streamline processes that already existed within libraries (i.e. circulation and cataloging), and currently to provide end users with greater access to resources and materials. When libraries began working with technology in the 1960s, the utilized large mainframe computers that were both expensive and consumed great amounts of space, with the advent of minicomputers in the mid-60s, more libraries were able to access technology, and further streamline their processes. Most recently, personal computers (or PCs), have provide users with unprecedented access to information, and forced library information systems to analyze what their purpose is.
For me personally, this was an incredibly helpful chapter to read! While I have a very base understanding of computer systems in general, I found the organization of this information was useful. I appreciated the description of the different acronym terms that I have come to know well during my time in SLIS, as well as the historical overview of the role that technology has been able to play through the evolution of libraries in America. I think the greatest thing I took away from this chapter was that initially technology was introduced to the libraries to make systems that were already in place easier, but it has now morphed into a primary function of service in libraries across the country.
My discussion question at the end of this article is: how can libraries continue to adapt and stay relevant with the advent of smart phones and other super mini technology devices.

Arnold Hirshon (2008). Environmental Scan: A repot on trends and technologies affecting libraries.

Well, it would appear that I spoke too soon, as my discussion question has found some answers in the next article we read. In his environmental scan, Hirshon discusses in detail the many technologies that libraries currently work with on a daily basis, as well as the problems that come along with working with such technology. Interestingly, Hirshon also focuses on the type of end user that libraries will be working with for the next 20 years, these are users that are tech savvy, and have grown up in a world where there has always been internet. Hirshon seems to argue very strongly that it is important that libraries and librarians themselves work hard to stay current, and adapt from just being a collection to being a service organization.
I personally found this article to be fascinating on a number of levels. The first section that caught my eye was the fact that today most libraries have access to high performance storage and computing systems, Hirshon argues that this allows us to preserve even greater amounts of archival workm at a negligible cost. While I agree, I do have to wonder what we lose in this exciting new process. The second part of this article that caught my eye was Hirshon’s argument that mobile computing will overtake personal computing. I couldn’t agree more, being a person who currently owns and Iphone, and having found myself preferring to surf the web through the phone rather than my lap top. It is important that that libraries find ways to stay current, I know the DC public library has created an app, that is widely used and keeps them current, it also puts them right back in their end users faces. The last section of this article that particularly caught my eye was that libraries might cease being a physical space, and will begin to exist more on the virtual plane. I think this is an absolutely fascinating idea, it makes me wonder if, as a librarian, I will really be sitting at home on a computer plugged into second life to answer reference questions. I think that we need to see the constantly changing technology as an exciting opportunity for us to grow and evolve, and think outside the box. I believe that the physical structure of the library is important, but that we need to rediscover what our identity is to best serve all our patrons.
The question I would like to discuss after reading this article is: How does the library stay current with technology, but still ensure that they are accessible to their older clients who may not be as comfortable with technology?

I suppose that wraps up these two articles, more to come soon! For now, toodles!