The Virtual World

The Virtual World is here to stay and therefore libraries have to become apart of that world in order to continue serving their patrons in an efficient manner. The virtual world allow libraries to reach their patrons on a larger scale. Technology has made it easier to communicate with persons half way across the world with the just the click of a mouse. This capability alone will expand the range of communities libraries serve. Libraries and librarians alike should not fear to enter into the virtual  world. The innovative nature of the library itself inhabits what defines technology. Libraries can use its tools to expand and improve the services they provide to their community. Libraries and technology are not at opposite ends of the spectrum as some might think, rather they go hand in hand. Technology can only make libraries better institutions if used correctly. According to Tom Peters, author of "Dispatches from the Field: Embracing Virtual Worlds, " Virtual worlds have the capacity and the promise to put the ecstatic knowledge experience that we all know and love through books back into a three-dimensional virtual environment." (Peters, 2008) In other words, libraries should jump into this  increasing technological world. The capabilities of technology can only aid librarians. Technology can reintroduce patrons to the excitement they first felt when walking into library. Librarians now have the ability to redesign the function and usability of the library for its patrons. 

Peters, T. (2008). Dispatches from the Field: Embracing Virtual Worlds. American Libraries, 39(11), 33-33. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.queens.ezproxy.cuny.edu:2048/stable/25650155

Technology at a Young Age

Nowadays, kids as young as six and seven years old have experience with some form of technology. Although some might consider this too early for children to start using technology, I think it's necessary. Today, technology skills are essential to do some of the most basic tasks in life. I think sometimes we forget this fact. We use some form of technology everyday. Everything from using the ATM to using self-checkout at the department store. Sometimes I witness people struggle with these technologies because many of them did have exposure to technology at a young age. This is one of the main reasons that I support the integration of technology in schools. Children should be introduced to technology as young as possible to ensure they have the basic technological skills to do simple tasks like using self-checkout at their local grocery store or using a search engine to browse the library's catalog. One article I read called "Implementing Gaming and Technology in Schools" by Khalida Mashriqi states, "I have taught my kindergarten students to go on the laptops and read on starfall.com, a free public service website designed to use phonics to teach young children to read." (Mashriqi, 2011) Technology in this classroom has only reinforced the lessons that students have learned on paper. Integrating technology into the classroom only add to the experience of learning for students.It allows them to enjoy learning in more interactive and engaging manners. 

Mashriqi, K.  (2011). Implementing Technology and Gaming Lessons in a School Library. Knowledge Quest, 40(1), 24-28.  Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.queens.ezproxy.cuny.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=57838c5c-8d51-4bdb-99b0-d94442b8b53b%40sessionmgr13&vid=4&hid=106

Interactive Librarianship

Recently, I was reading an article on the new and innovative ways small libraries are maintaining their presence in the digital world. One of the ways was through blogging. Instead of having a Website, some small and rural libraries have started posting blogs for their patrons. It's not only much easier for them to maintain but less expensive as well. One article in particular titled "Technology in Practice: Our Website is a Blog," by Meredith Farkas states "Keeping a Website current and engaging can be a challenge for a library without tech savvy staff members." (Farkas, 2008) Therefore a blog is a much easier alternative for libraries that don't have tech savvy staff or don't have a budget for a tech staff. The article goes on to explain that many blogs nowadays require very little technology skills and can be maintained by any staff member who knows how to create a word processing document. Aside from the cost benefits of blogs, blogs are also more interactive. They allow patrons to have some input and opinion about their library.Patrons can comment on upcoming events, suggest readings to other patrons, suggest improvements, etc. The possibilities are endless. Personally, I find this interactive technology a step forward for libraries. Blogs are a great way to further engross libraries into the surrounding community. It's also a great way to learn how to better serve their community because blogs form a conversation between the institution and its user. Hopefully more libraries, regardless of their size, will consider using blogs as a more cost efficient alternative to a website. 

Farkas, M. (2008). Technology in practice: Our new website is a blog. American Libraries, 39(9), 45-45. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.queens.ezproxy.cuny.edu:2048/stable/25650091

WILL I BE PREPARED?

Sometimes I wonder if I will be prepared for the increasingly technological field of Library Science. As a graduate student, my first priority when I graduate to find a good job where my education can be put to good use. Correct me if I'm wrong, graduate school is supposed to prepare us for future employment in our field of study. So why do I find myself hesitant to enter the workforce? Is it because I don't know if Ill be prepared for it? A recent article by Debra A. Riley-Huff and Julia M. Rholes called "Librarians and Technology Skill Acquisition: Issues and Perspectives," describes their study on how well librarians are prepared for IT positions within libraries. Their studies found that most librarians offered IT positions turned down the offer because they did not think they were qualified enough to take the position. On that same note, studies also showed that employers had great difficulty finding librarians qualified enough for IT positions within their libraries. While the results of these studies made me worry, the most worrisome part of the article was their research on Library Science programs and courses. Riley-Huff and Rholes found that out of all of the 57 ALA (American Library Association) accredited programs in the United States, only 7 courses were offered on average that were technology-centered in the program. While this is more than half of the number of total courses offered in a graduate program for Library Science, I still find it troubling that even with these courses, studies showed that most librarians when offered IT positions turned them down because they did not think they were qualified enough. Do we need more technology-centered courses in ALA-accredited programs or are librarians being intimidated by the overwhelming stream of new technologies nowadays? On the other hand, looking at other parts of Riley-Huff and Rholes' research, it was found that out of the majority of the technology-centered courses in the program, less than fifty percent of them were being offered in the 57 ALA-accredited programs in the United States. So are programs the one to blame for librarians hesitancy to take IT positions or has technology become intimidating for librarians? Either way, it doesn't ease my mind when entering the workforce. 

Riley-Huff, D. A., & Rholes, J. M.  (2011). Librarians and Technology Skill Acquisition: Issues and  Perspectives. Information Technology & Libraries, 30(3), 129-140. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.queens.ezproxy.cuny.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=57838c5c-8d51-4bdb-99b0-d94442b8b53b%40sessionmgr13&vid=4&hid=106