How will the technological trends change the information environment and user behaviour?
Web 2.0 is the new hot topic in the library arena at the moment, but how much will it change the way libraries work? I think that really does depend a lot on each libraries users. In the medical library setting electronic journals and databases have increased usage in just the five years I have worked here. More and more often when articles are requested the user will ask for them in an electronic PDF version rather than a paper copy. This is usually so that they can be stored and reread as and when needed rather than carrying reams of paper around. Our library service has not reached this as a norm of service, but I can see the logic of the request. I would be concerned about the authors copyright.
Personally I think that some Managers (usually non library ones) are eager to use the electronics methods thinking that they can save money by being able to reduce staff. In reality I believe that to get the users to use the new technology correctly and to full use will require the current staff to undergo full training on the new technologies and not reduce numbers. It will also mean investment in new hardware. We must remember that not all our users will want to go down the electronic method and will still need the old fashioned hand holding of qualified librarians to help them with their personal learning goals.
How can libraries meet the challenges?
Whilst it may seem that I am against web 2.0 I can assure you all that it is a concept that I truly believe is the way forward, but only if the correct structuring and training issues are met in the first instance. Otherwise I feel that Web 2.0 could cause more harm than good. I believe that a planned approached delivered in small bites would be the best way to introduce the new technologies. Perhaps try starting with a library blog which then introduces users to a new technology every six weeks or so. Whatever method is used must be introduced in a plain English way so that it can be understood by all users.
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5 comments:
Michelle
Should your users be storing their pdf articles, though this was against the CLA licence, or is it?
Michelle
Are your users storying articles, thought this was against the CLA licence, or is it??
HI Chris,
I just realised that I didn't make it clear enough that this is what users would like BUT we have to tell them that we are not allowed to do this as it is against copyright. What I meant by this is I could see the logic behind their request with the rise in the use of electronic sources.
My comment here isn't specific to Michelle's post only, but to other posts which share similar view as Michelle. My comment here also sums up my thoughts in reading all your posts for Week 6.
I agree that there bounds to be those who need "the old fashioned hand holding of qualified librarians to help them with their personal learning goals". Or as Sarah said in her post ... "It's important to remember that not everyone has the latest hardware/software and not everyone is technically minded. To be inclusive, libraries need to make sure that they don't make things too complex."
Of couse libraries need to be inclusive. However when we strive to include those who are information poor, have we forgotten those who are information rich? Do libraries think that meeting the needs of those who are information rich in our potential user population doesn't fall within our remits? Or by investing all our efforts on those who are information poor, can libraries, esp. our knowledge and capabilities, manage to catch up with those who are information rich? If my understanding of Chris' comments to Susan S's post is correct, I can't agree with Chris that "most of the long tail of potential library users exists in the non tech world ..." I think the long tail of potential library users exists in BOTH tech-savvy and non-tech-savvy groups.
I'd agree with Susan S's response to Chris that "we are at a very interesting juncture in the deliver of library services." And Karen's postKaren's post expands this view nicely ... "With students and staff leaving or graduating from HE to work in NHS, they come to expect the libraries to be up to date with their information and to be able to support the use of new and emerging technology. Health Libraries need to concentrate on the staff and students of today as well as the staff and students of the future who will be conversant in such technology."
Bertha
Chris Hand responds
I have stated elsewhere that we as libraians cannot afford to ignore any of our users whether tech savvy or not. I agree that the profile of our users and non users is changing and will continue to change and we cannot afford to ignore any of them. As in life balance is everything. I still do think, and this point is experience based and not evidence based, that there is a majority of my potential users in the PCT staff whether clinical or non-clinical who are non savvy. I do not ignore the fact that this is on the move., and will be more likely to move with our encouragment, collaboration and intervention.
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