Session 15 Reflection Blog

1. Working in the library today requires a knowledge of technology that sometimes seems to overshadow all else in librarianship.  The recent merger of IU's School of Informatics and SLIS could be seen as recent evidence of this.  In recent years, the trend towards more digital resources and remote access has not declined.  After working in the library for over six years, I have seen our library migrate to a consortium, add downloadable e-books and audio books, music downloads, add more databases and online resources, and most recently the new self-checkout system.  
2. Library staff have to constantly re-evaluate the technology they currently have and investigate new trends in the library market.  Technology plays a major role how staff accomplish their tasks and how patrons retrieve services.  Libraries use technology to market their services.  The current use of social websites like Facebook and Pinterest allow libraries to reach more patrons.  Libraries use technology to create their "product".  The use of ILS, whether it is a consortium like Evergreen, allows the item record to be created more quickly and efficiently than in the past.  Staff can do more copy cataloging with the use of databases.  The development of the OPAC should be an ongoing improvement project that makes the retrieval of library items easy for staff and patrons.  Technology should be used to enhance the searching experience on the OPAC for all users.  Librarians have to investigate new technologies in making the checking in and checking out of materials more efficient.  The emergence of RFID technology in libraries has made this possible.  
3. Librarians have to market their products.  It is not enough to say, we have it.  The community needs to know you have it.  News release, community awareness campaigns, and social networking are all ways that libraries can get the word out about assistive technologies.  Libraries need to see what the need in their community is and try to fill with respect to technology.  For example, with the recent economic situation, there is a need for more computers for filing unemployment and resume creation.