Which technology will improve the library for librarians and for patrons?

I believe that the technology that would improve the library for librarians the most from these four would be RFID. The convenience of being able to know when the stacks are out of order and when there is something missing frees up time so that the librarians can work on other projects, such as the library's blog or increasing the number of adaptive technologies within the library. It will also make it easier to check out books since multiple items can be scanned at once. Essentially, the RFID technology will allow librarians to get clerical and shelving type jobs done faster so that they can work on more in-depth projects that may have been on hold until the time and money had become available. Although RFID can be potentially dangerous to patrons, it can be very helpful to librarians. Maybe in the future a more secure form of RFID will become available.

On the other hand, of these four technologies I believe that blogs would be the most important to the patrons. Although adaptive technologies are crucial, blogs can be helpful and inclusive to all patrons. Being able to stay up to date on the latest library news will be incredibly helpful to those who are interesting on what's going on in their public library. In the past, it has been difficult to stay in tune with new hours, new policies, and so on if you were not frequently visiting the library or signed up for the library newsletter. Now, it could be as simple as assigning the library's blog to your RSS feed to get information as soon as it becomes available. In one of my other classes, I read a research article stating that many teens did not attend library programs because they did not know about them. With blogs, it will be easier to promote upcoming library programs, and it will be cheap, too! Blogs will definitely help patrons keep up with library news and announcements.


Reference:
Howard, V. (2011). What do young teens think about the public library? The Library Quarterly, 81(3), 321-344.

Topic 4: RFID

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. To be simply explained, tags can be placed on items and these tags are then read by a radio transmitter called a reader. Essentially, information can be stored on these tags about the item and it is possible to find the exact location of the item if the reader is close enough. RFID technology has been used by the government in the past, as well as by stores to keep track of their inventory. RFID technology can easily be used in a library setting rather than using the bar coding system.

There are advantages to using RFID, including the following: it can be used as a security device, more than one book can be scanned at once, and the tag does not need to be on the outside of the book. RFID technology provides the ability to know when a book is on the shelf, has left the shelf, or is in incorrect order. Although this technology can be expensive, it can also be beneficial and convenient for librarians. But there is another negative, which is lack of patron privacy. RFID tags can be read by anyone who has a radio transmitter, but supposedly they cannot be read unless they are relatively close. Regardless, this provides a cause for controversy because the library is supposed to keep patron's records privacy. This then brings up the following question, is convenience and the latest technology more important than our patron's privacy and rights?

Topic 3: Adaptive Technologies

Adaptive technologies are devices that assist those with special needs. For example, those who are deaf, blind, or mentally handicapped. Unfortunately, computers and the Internet can bring problems to this group of people, which is why adaptive technology should be available for those who need it. Companies like Apple and Microsoft began providing adaptive technologies through their operating systems once it became apparent that these technologies were needed. Examples of such technologies are as follows. Screen readers allow those who are visually impaired to listen to the text on the screen be read allow through the program. Text magnifiers are also popular with those who are visually impaired. Flashing lights rather than alert sounds and and hearing aids with audio jacks are a couple of examples of adaptive technologies that are used by those who are hearing impaired. Certain input devices can be used by those who are mentally handicapped to optimize communication and education. There are still some problems with Web sites implementing adaptive technologies, such as large print, but there are processes being put in place by the Web Accessibility Initiative to require Web sites to provide such technologies.

The library plays an important role with adaptive technologies since the library is used by all members of the community. The library is responsible for providing these technologies so that nobody is left out from getting the information that they need. These technologies can be expensive which is why it is important to include the technologies that will be most utilized by the public. In addition to the technologies listed above, libraries can also provide books on tape and communication through TTY and instant messaging. It would be wise for the library to provide communication to their librarians through these technologies to allow patrons to ask questions and gather the information they need from remote locations, as well. Legally, the library is responsible for including specific technologies in the library, but there are still some libraries that do not abide by the code even though they should. This can lead to social controversy over whether or not these technologies should be included in the library's budget. It might be assumed that many would want these technologies available in the public library, but it is possible that some people do not think that they are needed.

Topic 2: Web Filters

Web filters are a technology that blocks information that is deemed inappropriate by the institution that implements it into their computer system. Some examples of institutions that utilize web filters and why are as follows. Companies can block websites that will distract their employees from doing their assigned work and schools can block websites that are deemed unsuitable for students while at school. There are plenty of conflicting viewpoints on web filters for several reasons. For the amount of money that is spent on their use, they are not always as effective as the purchaser might want and expect. Web filters might block too much information or too little. Web sites that could be helpful to research could end up being blocked because a certain word that could be inappropriate in other contexts is included in the text. Also, websites are that are deemed inappropriate for certain settings may not end up being blocked because there is no inappropriate text that can be found on the Web site.

Web filters are used in some libraries, but there is some controversy over filters being used on public library computers. This is because of the ALA Bill of Rights, which states that there should be no censorship of materials and information within the library. However, there are also laws about the viewing of pornography in a location where children are potentially able to see it. I believe I have heard that some libraries do not filter while others do. Instead, I know that some libraries, such as the University of Arizona libraries, prohibit the viewing of certain materials on the library's computers, but there are no filters installed. This is also relevant to the social impact of Web filters because both the usage and lack of usage can bring some controversy into the library. People can and will complain about both which is why library employees need to discuss and consider the pros and cons of investing in such technologies.


Reference:
(1996). Library Bill of Rights. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/index.cfm

Topic 1: Blogs

Blogs provide virtually all Internet users regardless of their budget to post their thoughts and ideas to the Web. They generally have no cost and they are simple to create since most of the HTML and design is provided for the users. Pre-made templates are available for choosing and most blog entry editors have HTML editors embedded in them. There are blogs created by "amateurs," "professionals," and everyone in between. Some will post about a specific topic, some will post about many topics, some will be read by few, some will be read by many. Some will be intended for a specific audience, some will be intended for personal use, and some will be intended for the general public. To state it simply, the possibilities of blogs are essentially endless.

Blogs can be used effectively by libraries. And most any library could benefit from using this technology, whether it be public, academic, or a special library. A librarian within the library can be in charge of updating the blog with upcoming events, news, and announcements. It makes sense to post a link to the blog on the homepage of the library's Web site or even post a feed of it on the home page so users can see previews of the entries. Examples of topics that could be posted about are announcements of new books, announcements and reminders of library programs, and posting of holiday hours. Blogs can help library users keep up to date about what is happening within the library. If users add the library's blog to their RSS feed, they will not even need to access the library's Web site to access the information.

Allowing users to leave comments on blog entries can allow librarians to see feedback, whether it be positive or negative, which can help improve the library, its actions, and its policies. By using blogs, the library can get information out on a mass scale, but librarians in charge of these blogs must be sure to make sure that their patrons know that the blog actually exists, which is why it is wise to put it visibly on the home page of their Web site as well as promote it in-house and in newsletters.