Environmental Scan

Arnold Hirshon (2008). Environmental Scan: A report on trends and technologies affecting libraries
The article is a survey of current technological developments in information access. Hirshon explores five present issues shaping the future of technology in libraries. They are: society and economy, technology, education and learning, information content, and library leadership and organization.
Beginning with society and economy, Hirshon lays out the current economic challenges facing local governments in the current recession. He goes on to assert that in the near future the U.S. could be looking up at governments with better financial footing.
The technology in this climate is evolving, as computing systems are shirking their ability to store more information is growing. Laptops are replacing stationary CPUs as consumer’s personal computers. As technology is shrinking, mobile computing is overtaking personal computing.
As Generation Y grows up, they are bringing gaming into their profession as ways to problem solve and train at the same time using social networks for team building . While researching, many spend as much time searching for information as they do reading it. They are also more apt to search for free material. However, with more searching being done on search engines, there are privacy concerns regarding search engines collecting user data.
Despite Generation Y never knowing a day without the internet, studies find that this generation is not “hard-wired” to technology. Many are just as timid about new gadgets as their elders. While multi-takers, they measure success on if the task is completed, not how long it takes. Therefore, they use libraries to “unplug” and focus.
The future of education is moving to opensoure technology, coursework and textbooks. This leads to more information becoming more freely assessable. Hirshon concludes that in this environment, libraries and librarians still have a valuable role to play as venue for learning and educators. The library is a valuable place for research, study, collaboration and the use of technologies not available to the public at large.
Discussion Question: What can libraries with financial challenges do to constantly upgrade with new technologies? It seems that next generation software and hardware are outpacing libraries who cannot afford to keep up.

The Evolution of LIS and Enabling Technologies

The chapter introduces readers to the concept of Library Information Systems and their evolution. Coined in 1968 by Dr. Ralph Halsted, the term Library Information System (LIS) is meant to encompass concepts of library mechanization, library automation, Integrated library systems and integrated online library systems. The term includes both current and future systems.

Covered in the LIS sphere are integrated library systems, cataloging, circulation control, online catalog etc; online databases, one stop access points for material; web-based resources, online “portals” to resources outside the physical location of a library; digital library collections, and eBooks and eJournals.

The evolution of LIS began with punch card generating computers in Austin Texas. The first computers in libraries were large, expensive machines that could only be operated from the source, with so called “dumb terminals” attached to it. That system gave was to open networks, smaller computers and interoperability among systems. Finally, with the advent of the internet, the focus has shifted to serving the end users and “amateur searchers” able to discover information from multiple locations. Therefore, LIS not only includes automated circulation mechanisms, but helps provide access to material not physically in the library.

Discussion Question: There are multiple references to “turnkey vendors.” However, their definition is never spelled out. Are they manufactures and distributers of LIS systems?