Dominique Burns e-Portfolio

Introduction

Technology is everywhere and plays a part in every facet of our daily lives. As technological advancements continue, many question the relevance of libraries in the 21st century. Individuals are able to access information anywhere and anytime at incredible speeds. However, the notion that libraries and technology are separate entities is not entirely true. According to Abram (2008) “Technology is just catching up with our service ethic! Now we just have to reintroduce ourselves into every aspect of the virtual world” (p. 1). Libraries serve as information centers that strive to provide different types of information in many different forms. Librarians and libraries have been front-runners and leaders in information delivery systems, such as Melvil Dewey’s classification system in 1876.  Technology does not just cover electronics, but also the processes of those items. Technology plays two significant and important roles in today’s modern library. The first is that librarians are tasked with crossing the digital divide by offering technology related services for patrons. Secondly, librarians must have the skills to identify, use, and evaluate current and emerging information and communication technologies.  

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Technology Services

As information hubs, libraries work to provide technology related services for patrons.  A common goal amongst academic, public, and school libraries is to provide patrons with digital and technology literacy skills. Libraries do this by providing patrons with access to computers or other resources such as “E-books, databases, online articles, the library catalog, and other resources and services directly into the home” (Chow & Bucknall, 2011, p. xxi). Libraries can also provide classes for patrons that teach them how to utilize these technologies in order to cross the digital divide.  These classes can come in the form of a traditional instructor lead class or in the form of a makerspace. Makerspaces are an emerging trend in libraries that provide patrons with opportunities for creativity and learning through hands-on experiences. Westcoat (2016) defines makerspaces as the following.

 

• Places of imagination, exploration, connection, collaboration, resiliency, and success

• Centers of self-guided learning

• The co-mingling of experts and newbies, of people with various interests and knowledges

• Self-directed learning laboratories where one can be an expert one day and a novice the next

• The heart of a community devoted to innovation

• Hands-on constructivist education

• Flexible, functional and most of all, fun (Westcoat, 2016, Makerspace Toolkit)

 

Besides makerspaces, library services offered in the physical space of the library can also be offered digitally to patrons. One example of this is through instructional videos on the library’s website or pathfinders that help individuals find their next great book.  Librarians can also perform reference services online that help individuals find and retrieve information in the virtual library. Technology continues to advance daily and with that comes with opportunities for libraries everywhere. Opportunities to better information retrieval practices and provide technology services that benefit the individuals in the 21st century world.

 

The American Library Association every year comes out with a list of libraries that utilize new and emerging technologies. To read about these different libraries and how they incorporate technology into their services you can click on the button below.

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Identify, Use, and Evaluate Current and New Technologies

It is important to offer technology related services in the library, however this can sometimes be challenging with so many new technological advancements each day. Librarians today must be able to not only recognize emerging trends in technology, but also be able to provide technology products and services. They are tasked with understanding how current and new technologies work in order to utilize and maintain them for their patrons. According to Burke (2014) the following three groups below are “Technologies that have impacted and continue to impact the library” today (p. 14).

 

1. Those created specifically for libraries and library work

2. Those created within the larger world and adapted for use in libraries

3. Those created in the world and brought into libraries without much alternation (Burke, 2013), p. 14).

 

The first group includes technologies such as classification and controlled vocabulary systems, cataloging systems, and metadata schemas. The second group of technology is in reference to information retrieval systems, library management systems, online catalogs, Internet-based databases, and website platforms (Burke, 2014, p. 14). The final group includes “Standard technology, such as e-mail, telephones, copiers, bar-code readers, and many computer applications” (Burke, 2014, p. 14). Group three encompasses skills that librarians need in their day-to-day jobs internally and externally. Burke (2014) found after surveying 2,075 U.S. librarians that many utilized the same technologies daily and had strong technology related skill sets. Table 1.3 and 1.4 below reflects Burke’s (2014) findings about technologies and related skills used on a regular basis.

 

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(Burke, 2014, p. 7)

 

 

 

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(Burke, 2014, p. 9)

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Identify

Technology is constantly changing and adapting to our needs each and every day. In this fast paced digital world it is important for librarians to be able to identify the types of technologies that best fit their libraries. A great starting ground for identifying technology for the library is the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) website. LITA, a division the American Library Association, strives to provide educators, information professionals, and librarians with information for implementing and maintaining current and new technologies in their organizations. Besides LITA, there are countless journals, websites, and magazines available to librarians related to technology trends. Here is a list below of journals, websites, and magazines that are great resources for identifying past, present, and future technologies.

 

Journals

- Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology: https://www.asist.org/publications/jasist/

- Journal of Technology and Teacher Education: https://www.aace.org/pubs/jtate/ 

- Journal of Information Technology: http://www.springer.com/business+%26+management/journal/41265

- Technology Journal: http://www.technologythejournal.com

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Websites

- Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals: http://www.cilip.org.uk/blog/4-technology-trends-every-librarian-needs-know

- Library and Information Technology Association: http://www.ala.org/lita/

- Library Technology Guides: http://www.librarytechnology.org

- CNET News: Technology: https://www.cnet.com/news/

 

Magazines

- Discover: http://discovermagazine.com/topics/technology

- WIRED: https://www.wired.com

- Computer World: http://www.computerworld.com

- MIT Technology Review: https://www.technologyreview.com

 

Use

According to Burke (2014) libraries that offer technology services must remember to still be “All about people – both the people who use its services and the people who work there” (p. 145).  Librarians are responsible for not only knowing how to use and maintain the technologies they offer, but are also responsible for providing relevant technologies for their patrons. Tables 1.3 and 1.4 above reflect many of the technologies used on a regular basis by librarians and their patrons. If the technology being offered though is not wanted or needed by the community, it is then essentially useless. The same goes for offering technology services that staff members don’t know how to maintain or use. Burke (2014) suggests one way to make sure the staff and patrons are properly using the library’s technologies is by having dedicated technology staff members (p. 212). These individuals can help with “Technology management, installation, and troubleshooting tasks” (Burke, 2014, p. 212). Technology does not just encompass online platforms, but also projectors, e-readers, computers, audio books, headphones, and more. However, before purchasing any kind of technology for the library, it is important that librarians evaluate the information needs of their community through assessments and strategic plans.

 

Evaluate

Evaluating technology and related services for the library is three folds. First it is important for librarians to evaluate the types of technologies and services they want to bring into the library.  This is done through community assessments and strategic plans. These assessments help identify technology wants and information needs. Next, librarians should evaluate the technologies their community wants by looking at reviews, prices, and comparable substitutes.  It is essential for librarians to do their research when it comes to purchasing technology and offering related services. Lastly, librarians should continue to evaluate the library’s current technologies along side new technologies. Technology is constantly changing, which means it is critical for librarians to have the skills to evaluate the usefulness of past, present, and future technologies and services in the library.

 

Evidence

The following evidence includes MLIS coursework that I have completed during my time at San Jose State University.

 

1. INFO 203: Online Learning: Tools and Strategies for Success: Creating a Blog & RSS Feed

2. INFO 210 Reference and Information Services: Graphic Novel Pathfinder

3. INFO 210 Reference and Information Services: Instructional Video – eBooks

4. INFO 233 School Media Centers: High School Makerspace Toolkit Website

 

INFO 203: Online Learning: Tools and Strategies for Success: Creating a Blog & RSS Feed

 

Evidence

• Blog & RSS Feed: http://ischoolblogs.sjsu.edu/students/dominiqueburns/

 

This course introduced me to new and emerging technologies used in today’s libraries. We explored different online platforms for social networking, content and learning management, web conferencing, immersive environments, and other trends in social computing (INFO 203 Course Description). This assignment required me to create a blog and RSS Feed. I had to research current and new technologies in order to complete this assignment. I looked at different blogging websites and RSS Feed applications. I created a wordpress.com blog and RSS Feed through the site.

 

INFO 210 Reference and Information Services: Graphic Novel Pathfinder

 

Evidence

• Graphic Novel Pathfinder Website: http://dominiqueburns.wixsite.com/graphicnovels

• Graphic Novel Pathfinder Essay

 

 This project required me to utilize, evaluate, and analyze different websites to make my pathfinder. The purpose of this assignment was to create a pathfinder on graphic novels for students, ages 14-17, at Prospect Ridge Academy (PRA) high school. After exploring different online platforms, I created my pathfinder through wix.com. I then evaluated all of the work that went into creating this pathfinder in an essay following the ADDIE model, which includes analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation.

 

INFO 210 Reference and Information Services: Instructional Video – eBooks

 

Evidence

• Instructional Video – eBooks: https://youtu.be/vHaEff4nMxc

• eBooks Essay

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The purpose of this assignment was to create a web-based instructional tutorial on eBooks for library patrons at Prospect Ridge Academy (PRA) high school. I researched various screen-recording software, such as Screencastifiy. I also evaluated and analyzed different software programs related to video editing.  In the end I choose to use iMovie, because I had researched it and used it in other classes. I then evaluated all of the work that went into creating this instructional video in an essay following the ADDIE model, which includes analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation.

 

INFO 233 School Media Centers: High School Makerspace Toolkit Website

 

Evidence

• High School Makerspace Toolkit Website: http://highschoolmakerspaces.weebly.com

• Assignment Reflection

 

This emerging trends group project required us to look at an emerging trend in school librarianship and look at concerns, challenges, solutions, ramifications, characteristics, and other important related elements.  As a group we met several times over the semester to create a makerspace toolkit for high school librarians. We researched different website platforms to create the site and choose to use weebly.com.  We then created an action plan and site map for the project. We broke the site into five sections, which included sub-sections. Each group member was responsible for researching and creating their section and sub-sections on the website. I researched and created the “Makerspace Menu” and the sub-sections titled “School vs Academic Makerspaces,” “Types of Makerspaces,” and “Activities.” I researched countless makerspaces and related technology trends. As a group we also created instructional videos for each page of the website using screencastify.com. I then edited the videos using iMovie and uploaded them to youbtube.com. After finishing the project we worked as a group to create a reflection that discussed successes, learnings, challenges, and ideas for future improvement.

 

Conclusion

The coursework above that I provided as evidence reflects that I have successfully met competency H. I have created pathfinders and instructional videos to help cross the digital divide. As well, I have identified, used, and evaluated current and emerging information and communication technologies in relation to library services. I have gained experiences using different website platforms, blogs, RSS feeds, and video editors. In each of the above assignments I researched different emerging technological trends in library services.

 

References

Abrams, S. (2008). Evolution to revolution to chaos. Searcher, 16(8) 1-44

 

Burke, J. J. (2014). Neal-Schuman library technology companion. Chicago, IL: Neal-Schuman.

 

Chow, A. S., & Bucknall, T. (2011). Library technology and user services: Planning, integration, and usability

    engineering. Oxford, UK: Chandos Publishing.

 

Library and Information Technology Association. (2016). Home. Retrieved from

    http://www.ala.org/lita/

 

Westcoat, M. (2016). Makerspace toolkit. Retrieved from

    http://highschoolmakerspaces.weebly.com

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