I think librarians help people in the library with finding books and educating people on how to utilize resources such as online databases. Every time I have been taught database usage tips, it has been from a librarian. I think they organize the library as well so that people can find things more easily. I think it would be really cool if librarians started being more technology oriented. Although things are changing and technology is becoming more integrated, I think that technology today is crucial to library research, etc. I think the library of the future might be all technology-based. For example, because so many people are accessing or buying books through the internet, many bookstores are closing down. Therefore, because we are so reliant upon technology, I believe the switch may happen. I think librarians also generally help students like us learn how to write a good paper. When doing any research paper, a librarian has always helped me. For example, we learned plagiarism; this is QUINTESSENTIAL, especially since there are so many ways in which we can plagiarize. Plagiarism could jeopardize our future in college because the consequences in college are so severe. I know that I accidentally cited a source wrong, and my teacher informed me that it would be considered plagiarism. The course on plagiarism was very helpful. Lastly, I think the library of the future might have more access to anything in the world; any book, any website, etc. I think that would be really interesting and helpful. For instance, if I was writing a paper about Australia, if I had access to materials that they have in Australia, like primary sources, then it would be very helpful.
Excellent post, Esther! I agree with you that future libraries will be very technology based because that is what our users want, and services are often very user-driven. The Health Sciences Library on this campus has only about 9 print journal titles, for example. We used to have thousands of print subscriptions and every day we would get new issues to check in and put on the shelves for our users. We currently have over 33,000 electronic journal subscriptions, often allowing our clinicians, students, and researchers get access to new published research sometimes months in advance of the printed version. Plus, they can access these articles without having to come into the library with a pocket full of change so they can make photocopies. One of the newer development in our libraries is that our users can access the library’s catalog (and therefore those 33,000+ journals) on their smart phones. Soon, we’ll be circulating iPads with apps on them, such as the one that allows a student to interact with a 3D human anatomy model. There are so many cool developments in the work and so many exciting technology-driven changes coming our way that is going to change the face of libraries in the future.
ReplyDeleteTina M. Moser, MLIS
Health Sciences Library
University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus