The current role of the Internet and the World Wide Web in information and communication technologies shapes the roles and functions of information professionals, including public librarians. Librarians have a responsibility to their patrons to be aware of what is emerging and how these trends can benefit them and their information needs. Librarians fulfill the roles of technology leaders and trainers, serve as advocates for the library, encourage lifelong learning, and support privacy rights. There are numerous technological trends that librarians need to be aware of, such as: social networking, mobile devices, and learning spaces.
Patrons expect librarians to be technology leaders and trainers. For many community members the library is the place they go, sometimes daily, to access the Internet, read the newspaper, learn about new technologies and devices, and interact with these technologies and devices. When patrons come to the library for help using technology it is the librarian’s responsibility to be able to help or find the help the patron needs. Librarians are accountable to community members about trends with the Internet, especially because of the important role Internet plays in the spreading of information. Being familiar with ways that patrons can connect to the Internet in and out of the library will allow librarians to give patrons the ability to connect to the information they need, in the ways they want. Computers that are provided by the library are not the only way for patrons to utilize the Internet. Librarians need to be familiar with mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets, and even watches. Learning how these devices connect to the Internet means that librarians can help patrons get connected and for li...
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...te new technology and the challenges that come along with new technology. A librarian’s role is to encourage lifelong learning by providing access to spaces for that learning to take place. Staying knowledgeable about trends involving the Internet, mobile devices, privacy issues, and ways to bring that knowledge to patrons are instrumental ideas to being a librarian.
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They offer patrons more privacy by providing computer monitors that “are recessed beneath a glass surface and covered with hoods so that only the surfer can see the material on the screen” (p. 100). However, this method still doesn’t address the concern of children accessing materials online and can be costly. Another method recommended is that “librarians can encourage parents and children to search the Internet together” (p.100). This recommendation is under the belief that parents should not be allowing their children to surf the internet if they are not equipped or old enough to do so. A common recommendation is to offer internet literacy classes for parents to teach their children how to use the internet responsibly. While this seems to be a potentially effective method, there is still the concern that children don’t always listen and they could still be subjected to predatory behavior on the
Technology is a controversial issue in today’s world and especially in my world; it is important to understand that my father owns and operates a successful computer sales and repair business and so my knowledge of computer usage is quite extensive having not only listened to my father, but also having completed a high school computer internship. I am also currently working in a Technology Fellowship program. When it comes to the topic of technology, most of us will agree that technology surrounds us in today’s world—from television, smart phones, video games, tablets, to computers—we can readily access multitudes of information by simply accessing a computer internet search or turning on the television news. Technology has been a part of our
The target market for the ipad is divided into two major segments: the academic community, and people who love to read. Reid (2005) notes that tablets appeal to young people who are comfortable with using personal digital technology. However, the recently-launched Amazon Kindle was successfully targeted to “passionate readers” of all ages rather than to “young people, or early-adopting technophiles” (Well read 2009, p. 71). Rowlands, et al. (2007) conducted an online survey of staff and students at the University College of London. The results showed that a large minority (44%) of the UCL community were using e-books. According to Rowlands, et al., this is comparable to the findings of similar studies at other academic institutions. The research by Rowlands, et al. also showed that age was not a major factor in the attraction to e-readers/tablets although men were more likely than women to favor reading from a screen.
...e pursuit of knowledge that thrived in the ancient library. The old library encouraged the public to debate, create and invent. The new library is carrying that legacy forward” (Mohsen Zahran).
Richmond, Riva. "12 Ways Technology Threatens Your Privacy (and How to Protect Yourself)." Switched. N.p., 14 May 2009. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. .
One of the primary goals behind the creation of public libraries is their expected ability to help minimize the gap between the rich and the poor, or the educated and the illiterate (Jaeger, Gorham, Sarin, & Bertot, 2013). To achieve this, libraries needed to host content that was curated to help provide educational material that also represented the social norms and values (Weigand, 1999). In other words, libraries were expected to serve as the hotspot where the public could educate themselves using resources that were not readily available elsewhere. However, as the history of libraries in the US suggests, the way public libraries provided resource to their users have taken several transformations reflecting the influence not only of those
Powell, Robert. "Four Ways Technology Invades Your Privacy." Lovemoney.com. N.p., 5 Oct. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
The Internet’s influence on our lives has spread throughout. According a 2009 US Census survey 74% of Americans use the internet and have access within their household.A number that has increased every year since 1990 and will sure grow in the future. In this survey they relieved that they did various activities on the internet including social media, (Facebook and Twitter) researching and reading news articles, watching YouTube videos, shopping and so much more all can be done with a computer or Internet enabled phone. With this ease of use and convenience it casts a shadow upon the future of printed and broadcast information. The Web’s instant and vast knowledge bank has changed ...
The use of the Internet has exploded in the past few decades, and the age of the user is swiftly declining as well (Greenfield, Patricia, and Zheng Yan). “The spread of Internet access has been described as nine times faster than that of radio, four times faster than the personal computer, and three times faster than television” (Shields, Margie, and Behrman 5). The Internet has woven itself into people’s daily lives and has really changed culture in numerous ways. It has helped make education more accessible, especially to those in developing countries. Specifically, it has brought life saving health practices and information to those who otherwise would have gone without it. Also, children who need extra help learning, like kids with special
Smartphones. The Internet. The Internet. Ed. Roman Espejo.
The Center for the Digital Future’s 2005 report found that 'among users 17 and older, 56.3 percent consider the Internet to be a very important or extremely important source of information for them' (p. 4). Online resource capabilities save an individual time as well as provide ease of access and availability to a broad scope of materials. Print books and journals, though they provide in–depth information on a particular subject, are not easily accessible and available at any particular moment. In order to access many books, an individual must either visit the local library or contain the book in his or her own private collection, which could be costly. Online resources can be accessed anytime at anyplace. “Overall, there is expanded access to information in a variety of formats from worldwide institutions, businesses, and universities" (Darrow & MacDonald, 2004, p. 22). Access to “worldwide” information puts a broad range of information in the h...
Library managers should organize technology-based training for librarians in order to make them comfortable with new technologies and more aware of their dangers. Since technology skills are important part of most library and information jobs, librarians should make sure they acquire technological skills continuously. University libraries should employed qualified information and technology specialist and troubleshooters to maximize system accessibility and provide a level of comfort to the librarians.