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Scopus-Bloglines Assignment

Electronic vs. Print Version Part 3 Conclusion - Blog for 6/9/07

In conclusion to the electronic vs. print version of information, digitization is a good way to save space and makes information more widely available. However, the companies and journals that digitize the information should make it easier for the people to print a copy if they desire. Libraries should perhaps consider this to when they are considering digitizing material. They should either keep a hard copy on hand or make the electronic copy printable.

Electronic vs. Print Version Part 2 - Blog for 6/8/07

In following up on my last entry, I think that journals, books, and other information should be easily printed. In other words, a printer friendly version should be available. I have printed out many pages of information that have had words and sentences cut off. I have since started copying and pasting the information into a Word document if there is no printer friendly option. However, I have had to help many patrons in the library where I work figure out how to print information. Patrons do not always know how to copy and paste into a Word document until I show them. While I do not mind assisting patrons, I think it would be better for the patrons if there was a printer friendly option.

Electronic vs. Print version Part 1 - Blog for 6/7/07

The idea of having journals, books, and other information that was once in paper form digitized and put on the Web is basically a good idea. However, when I and find an article online that I like or find pertains to an area that I am studying, I print it out. I still prefer to read the printed words compared to reading the words online. I find that this is easier on my eyes and my concentration lasts longer. Even though I know that I am most likely wasting paper by printing out an article that I may only read once, I feel that I get more out of the printed article compared to reading the article online.

Contoversy over Increased Technology in Libraries - Posting for 6/2/07

The idea of increased technology and its impact on libraries and librarians has been of interest to me lately.

There is a controversy over how much information (books, newspapers, magazines, etc.) should be accessible through a library's website. One concern about this was made by Andrew Brown who writes for a British newspaper The Guardian. In an article by Judith M. Umbach entitled "Librarians Online" on the Canadian Library Association's website, Brown "fears for libraries because technology increasingly makes available electronically what used to be printed material... and fears for authors because materials on the web are usually free to readers." Brown concludes "that the most valuable role for libraries in the electronic age is for libraries to pay for the right to distribute electronic texts...."

The other side to this controversy is that patrons can have access to resources 24 hours a day 7 days a week without having to go to the library. In an article in the New York Times by Patricia Weiss entitled "A Public Library in the Palm of Your Hand" states that libraries in Connecticut experimented with e-books. The participating public libraries allowed patrons to virtually check out books via the Internet and download them to their computer for 24 hours.

I think that there should be information available to everyone on the Internet through a library's website. However, libraries should have to pay a fee for this information so that it is fair to the authors of the resource.

The Changing Role of Librarians - Posting for 6/1/07

The job of librarians today goes beyond the checking out, checking in, and shelving of books. Librarians now must have a basic knowledge of computers. This is because the card catalogue is not on the computer, and patrons request help with the computers in the library. Librarians must now have the knowledge to access online databases to assist patrons a long with finding books for the patron.
In addition to needing to know about online databases, librarians need to know about the latest technology that is constantly changing. Patrons expect librarians to know how to access information on the Internet and how to download music. These changes require training for librarians, particularly those who have been in libraries for a long time (prior to computerization).
Librarians also need to understand that more and more students look to the computer (Internet) not only for entertainment, but for information for reports. Perhaps the biggest change that librarians have to accept is that students come into the library to access the Internet (MySpace) instead of coming in to read and check out books.
Another change for librarians is that registration for library cards, checking books in and out is all computerized. In some libraries, patrons can register for a library card online. Patrons can renew and request books from home or work through the Internet. Some libraries are even offering self check out.
Even though much of the traditional role of a librarian has changed, librarians and libraries are a necessary component of society. Librarians should not be afraid that their jobs are going to be replaced by computers because there is always a need for human intervention in serving the public. Librarians have to come to accept that books, magazines, and newspapers are not the only source of media that patrons are interested in or expect libraries (librarians) to offer.