Thing 2

Technology is changing at such an increadible rate. How will we keep up? I can see that it could involve a lot of budget issues for libraries now and in the future. Especially for small libraries.

I know that I am not that computer savey. I use the internet on a daily basis, but in a limited capacity. I search Amazon for book reviews at work. I email at home and at work. I use the internet to research recipes and plan vacations. I have even set up the software to access downloadable audio books. I downloaded the books to an MP3 player, but don't have a clue how to use the MP3 player. I have little or no experience in ANY of the 23 things that we will learn about in this program.

One of the articles that I read talked about training patrons to use the new technologies. It brought up the question of how can we make it simple enough for them to use them and or train themselves in using them. I am college educated and use a computer and the internet everyday. Do I need to use everything that is out there and available to me? Probably not. Do the majority of library patrons need to learn these new technologies? Probably not, but the ones who do want to learn them will need some training. Budget, staffing, space, equipment. All of these are issues that play a part in helping our patrons.

I work on a bookmobile and not in a physical library. I work in the office one day a week filling requests, ordering book, writing reports, etc., but I do not have a computer on the bookmobile. I am interested in learning about the new technologies that are available out there (if for no other reason than I will know what my kids are talking about), but I don't think that I will be using them much in my job at this time.