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The Impact of Information Technology on Academic Libraries
Arts 199 Seminar
Mark HaslettAssociate University Librarian
Information Services & Systems
October 23, 2001
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Focus for today Discussion of some major trends in
the area of I.T. and its impact on higher education
An administrator’s “take” Some UW examples Some pointers to other sources of
information
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Some Personal Info. UofT philosophy 1974-78 UWO MLS 1979-81 Career focus on:
Information technology & management issues
TUG TRELLIS project UCIST, LT3, … Interest in George P. Grant
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Some Questions How many of you:
Have a computer? A laptop? An email address? Use ICQ? Know what a URL is? The Netscape browser?
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Some Context The Second International WWW
Conference ’94: Mosaic and the Web Netscape browser – October 1994 Universities – key players in the
development of the WWW Efficient and effective access to information
Academic Libraries – key participants; leaders in the effective use of technology
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Networked environment
Networks are ubiquitous Portable computing devices are
commonplace Wired and wireless environments
are intertwined The IT environment envelopes us –
the computer is not just a tool.
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Connectivity, Content & Collaboration
Connectivity Communications technology
Content Convergence of connectivity & content
e.g. Electronic journals http://webdev.uwaterloo.ca/ejournals/index.html
Collaboration opportunities IT as an enabler
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The Library’s mission/role
Enhancing access to information
The Library trains and develops staff to: identify the information needs of
Library users relate those needs to available
resources provide access to those resources facilitate the productive and proficient
use of those resources
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The UW Library
High level of connectivity Collaborate extensively Commitment to focus on client service Commitment to innovation A commitment to the effective use of
technology in delivering information resources and services.
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The I.T. Context for Libraries
Libraries have a significant and proud past of I.T. initiatives and projects. Early 1960’s at UofT
They are able and innovative users of I.T.
They know their business; they are effective users of technology.
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Some History of Libraries and Information Technology
Modernization, innovation, transformation.
3 automation ages: (1) computerizing library operations; (2) rise of public access; (3) print goes electronic.
Now: networked information revolution.http://www.educause.edu/pub/er/erm00/pp060068.pdf
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Some UW Library I.T. examples
The UW Library is a leader in the effective use of IT
TRELLIS & TUG Remote Web access to e-resources
see http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/ Direct links to journal articles TDR
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The evolving library
Digital/electronic and paper resources both continue to grow
E-Journals (CFI CNSLP – Sept. 11 event)
The Digital Library
The Hybrid LibraryPrint; digital/electronic; …
E-Resources & services
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Some Key I.T. Issues in the Current Academic Library Context
Integrating access to information To print and digital resources Linking digital and digital
Where do you go for information first? TRELLIS? i.e. the catalogue? The Internet?
Sustainability & support Fostering innovation and building
prototypes Do you want personalized access to your
information?
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Changing I.T. Context
BUT technology is not a panacea, not a cure-all, nor a magic silver bullet.
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Watershed period “The ‘E’ is for Everything”?? We are in a watershed period The E-Economy is being hit hard. Even
more so after September 11th “Has the Internet Peaked?” (http://www.pfeifferreport.com/trends/ett_internet.html) We are emerging from an e-everything
environment. More realistic and practical.
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Some issues E-overload Unrealistic expectations A digital collection in itself is not a
digital library (the Internet is not a library) A library is a collection that is organised,
maintained, preserved, … Plagiarism – easier in the e-environment
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Is technology enhancing learning?
The educational environment at the University of Waterloo should be centred on learning where technology helps play a role in facilitating the acquisition, comprehension, dissemination and application of knowledge.
UW students and alumni should be life-long learners, adept at the self-directed use of technology in the acquisition, organisation and critical evaluation of knowledge.
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Putting Learning First - 1
Learning is primary Technology is secondary
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Putting Learning First - 2
Sound pedagogy should dictate when, where, and how technology is deployed in the learning and teaching environment.
Learning should be at the centre of any innovation in teaching that involves technology.
UW students and alumni should be life-long learners, adept at the self-directed use of technology in the acquisition, organisation and critical evaluation of knowledge.
The introduction of technology should enhance the learning environment.
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Technology’s role
Enabler Provides opportunities to share,
collaborate… Efficient delivery of information Aim is on effective & focused use of
technology The introduction of technology should
enhance the learning environment.
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Technology & Empire
Technology & EmpireG.P. Grant (Toronto, 1969)
1. “To exist as a North American is an amazing and enthralling fate.”
2. “We can hold in our minds the enormous benefits of technological society, but we cannot so easily hold the ways it may have deprived us, because technique is ourselves.”
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In Conclusion
How connected are you? How connected do you want to be? Are you aware of the IT environment in which
you live and study? Where do you get your information?
Use of libraries and labs? Use of print and digital/web resources?
Is the following a goal for you? To be a “life-long learner, adept at the self-directed use of technology in the acquisition, organisation and critical evaluation of knowledge.”