Librarian in Black Blog – Sarah Houghton

IL2009: Technology: The Engine Driving Pop-Culture-Savvy Libraries or Source of Information Overload

Speaker: Elizabeth Burns

Burns started by talking about texting, using mobile devices, and more often inspire poor reactions in libraries.  Some library staff believe that the public use of mobile devices in the library is a waste of time and distracts them from library resources.  Therefore some libraries ban cell phones.  Even worse, some libraries ban cell phone use by staff.  But if people are using these technologies, it shows that is an untapped option for service provision.  The Library Success Wiki can help you brainstorm good ideas for provoding more innovative, pop-culture-friendly services–roving reference with mobile devices, etc. Are we tech-friendly ourselves in our buildings?  Do we offer power?  Good, fast connections?  Are we helping to find people find digital media online?  Find free TV shows through Hulu?  She also touched on the problem of having one techie person in the library.  If they are the only person providing support for staff & patrons, they will burn out.  If they are the only ones suggesting technology projects, and are told “great – you do it!”, then they will burn out.  She suggests instead that you should form a group of trendspotters.  Don’t reinvent the wheel by having a bunch of local individual libraries doing their own thing when you can band together and do something better.  You have to practice these new technologies.  You have to fine tune projects after launch to continue to improve them.  Don’t invest all of your resources in one project, only to see a new trend emerge when you launch the other one too late in the game.  It’s play; it’s fun.  Expand your networks.

IL2009