Publication date:
06 May 2015Length of book:
140 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersISBN-13: 9781442238886
Here’s a one-stop snapshot of emerging technologies every librarian should know about and examples that illustrate how the technologies are being used in libraries today! The e-book includes videos of interviews with librarians that are using them. The videos are available on a web site for people who purchase the print book.
The first four chapters—Audio & Video, Self- and Micro-Publishing, Mobile Technology, and Crowdfunding—all look at older technologies reinvented and reimagined through significant advances in quality, scale, or hardware. Many libraries were already using these technologies in some way, and are now able to change and adapt those uses to meet current needs and take advantage of the latest improvements.
The two next chapters look at new technologies: wearable technologies and the Internet of Things (simple but powerful computers that can be embedded into everyday objects and connected to controllers or data aggregation tools). The last two chapters—Privacy & Security and Keeping Up With Technology—are all-purpose topics that will continue to be affected by new developments in technology.
Each of these chapters offers a brief overview of background information and current events, followed by a list of advantages and challenges to using these technologies in a library setting. The authors highlight the most useful or most well-known tools and devices, then specify how these technologies might be used in a library setting. Finally, they look at a variety of current examples from libraries in the United States and around the globe.
The first four chapters—Audio & Video, Self- and Micro-Publishing, Mobile Technology, and Crowdfunding—all look at older technologies reinvented and reimagined through significant advances in quality, scale, or hardware. Many libraries were already using these technologies in some way, and are now able to change and adapt those uses to meet current needs and take advantage of the latest improvements.
The two next chapters look at new technologies: wearable technologies and the Internet of Things (simple but powerful computers that can be embedded into everyday objects and connected to controllers or data aggregation tools). The last two chapters—Privacy & Security and Keeping Up With Technology—are all-purpose topics that will continue to be affected by new developments in technology.
Each of these chapters offers a brief overview of background information and current events, followed by a list of advantages and challenges to using these technologies in a library setting. The authors highlight the most useful or most well-known tools and devices, then specify how these technologies might be used in a library setting. Finally, they look at a variety of current examples from libraries in the United States and around the globe.
There is an abundance of tools out there for libraries to try for outreach and public services, but which ones are the best for your library? Koerber and Sauers have done the grunt work of figuring it all out. They divide emerging technologies into six different categories: audio and video; self-publishing and library support for publishing; mobile technologies; crowd-funding such as Jason Griffey’s LibraryBox, a digital file distribution tool; wearables and other makerspace activities; and the 'internet of Things,' which are traditional products made smart. Included are examples from actual institutions and technical details such as brand names for products and tools as well as pricing information. The content covered and the detailed information provided makes for a well-rounded primer for librarians. The title does not do the book justice, as it is a one-stop resource for new ideas. Verdict: This useful guidebook is packed with details and all of the research to save librarians time. Despite its limited focus on public libraries and less on academic or special collections, this would be an excellent addition to any public services librarian’s bookshelf.