Reading Notes, Week 1

Two things about the OCLC article:

First, having bold keywords is helpful, especially if you're unfamiliar with the terms. For example, "perfect content wave" or "format agnostic."

Second, speaking of format agnostic, I am agnostic that consumers don't care what the format their content comes from. Maybe it's just the librarian in me, but I prefer to obtain my information through book or periodical...something in my hands...but, yes, of course, having e-books is a luxury that should someday be easily accessible by the entire public. But at what cost? Hopefully the physical books won't ever become obsolete even if something like ebooks become the main mode of transferring information.

In any event, it seems obvious that the need for information professionals will only increase, because as many different modes of obtaining information develop, and the demand for information increases, it will become necessary to have professional help the public wade through these layers of obfuscation and access information as quickly, and efficiently, as possible.


Lied Library @ Four Years: Technology Never Stands Still

The author states that "[i]nitial equipment and software purchases are a huge expense for any new library" and "Lied Library is constantly evolving to meet user needs and expectations, and funding has been challenging." Where do users earn their savvy? Is it at the library or at home or at work or somewhere else? What role, or responsibility, does the library community play in increasing the public's efficiency in using new technology? These questions are intended to pose a cost-benefit analysis of any library increasing its technology. The core mission of almost any library, as I see it, is to worry more about access to information than to build on technology just for technology's sake. For the time being, though, it appears that the technology of libraries like Lied Library are at a near even rate with the public's expectations - BUT - it is straining library staff. What can be done to mitigate this problem?


Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture

-Note: This article was written in 1998, so it's imperative to digest what has, and what hasn't, happened in the ten years since...

-Note: An important distinction between information technology literacy and information literacy is in sync with what we've learned in class. See slides.

"While immediately applicable skill-oriented training is very useful for
the short-term goal of gaining employment, it is extremely limited and
I would argue that students graduating from the educational system
with only these skills are poorly prepared for life in an information and
information technology intensive culture -- indeed they have in a real
sense been cheated."

-This may have been true in 1998, but is it true now? It is also unclear if the author is referring to high school or college students. In any case, I would argue, at least from the college level, most students are quite aware of the technology that will be included in their workplace. Then again, it may also be a generation gap that is the problem. For instance, I think a 40-year old recent graduate may still have to overcome some barriers that are simply second nature for the 22-year old graduate.