• I can
personally attest to this as I have strained my poor eyes (which already
require corrective lenses), just to research a topic on my phone because it is
free, quick and always accessible (as I would rather suffer from several
different diseases than travel anywhere without it).
Libraries (as with any other
business/service) need to adjust to the needs and expectations of its
patrons. Because consumers are no longer
format dependent libraries as well as content sellers need to change the processes
of acquisition, organization and delivery of content. Some businesses have already begun to do
this. As the OCLC references, Amazon has
implemented the “Search inside the Book” feature. This allows the user to essentially “flip” a
limited amount of pages to see if the book in question is appropriate for their
interests. This is provided free of
charge; however, if the user would like to view the full text it must be
purchased.
Mark Federman of the University of
Toronto is quoted in the article as saying “the medium is the message”. He
elaborates on this by raising the thought: “with this early warning we can
“characterize and identify the new medium before it becomes obvious to
everyone. If we discover it is detrimental to our society or culture we have
the opportunity to influence development and evolution of it” (pg. 3). Federman’s statement further support the
ideal that libraries do not have to be diminished by technology, it can
actually be enhanced if properly accommodated.
The patrons demand by for a personalized experience can be facilitated
through the large amount of communication technology, such as blogs and wikis.
Due to the abundance of
information, library patrons and other information consumers are drowning in
information. It will become the librarian’s job to help the patrons FIND the
information specific to their needs. It
will be our jobs to help them navigate through it. This will allow them to transform their
information to knowledge.
[http://www5.oclc.org/downloads/community/2004infotrends_content.pdf]
Our second week 1 reading is
entitled: “Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components
in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture” by Clifford Lynch. This article
discusses the differences between information technology and information
literacy.
• Information technology deals- with an understanding of the
technology infrastructure that underpins much of today’s life; an understanding
of the tools technology provides and their interaction with this infrastructure
• Information literacy- on the other hand, deals with
content and communication
• Information Technology Literacy-how to use word
processing, spreadsheets, basic operation of computers (for example, managing computer
files and launching programs); and now use of basic internet tools such as web
browsers and electronic mail systems. Sometimes includes basic knowledge of
programming
• The second form of this focuses on understanding how
technologies, systems, and infrastructure work and will go deeper into
engineering for those who enter that field.
Lynch states his opinion that
information professionals cannot just settle with basic understanding of
current tools and skills because things change so fast. He believes it is
imperative to have a deeper understanding and capability of learning the basics
of HOW (programming) things change, and a willingness to keep up with the
evolving technology.
• Key component of information technology literacy-
understanding how the tech world works, with all forms- computing,
telecommunications, broadcasting, publishing, electrical power distribution,
transportation and financial infrastructure and related areas
[http://old.cni.org/staff/cliffpubs/info_and_IT_literacy.pdf
]
Muddiest Point
- I did not have a muddiest point for week 1.
