VIEW FROM THE FRONT:VIEW FROM THE FRONT:

dealing withinformation technology

in an academic library

Walter W. GiesbrechtWalter W. Giesbrecht

walterg@yorku.cawalterg@yorku.ca

An opening quote …

“A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history -- with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila.“ - Mitch Ratliffe, Technology Review April, 1992

Another quote

“Librarians have promised to put the world of information at the public’s fingertips. Now they’re stuck fixing bugs and teaching people how to use a mouse.”

– CT Corcoran, Salon, 1997

What are my qualifications in this area?

• I’m a public service librarian with a strong interest in technology issues

• … I have published a paper on resistance to technology in libraries

• … I’m a friend of Art’s

How it all began …

• Information Technology Assessment at NLC – role was to help libraries by assessing

and providing detailed descriptions of new CD-ROM products

• also gained experience in dealing with new hardware/software technologies

Changing technologies(since 1988)

• Word processors (> 4)• Library systems (3)• Microcomputer operating systems

(6)• Microcomputers (5) • Networks (3)• Web browsers (lots!)

Other IT changes

• database searching– online -> CD-ROM (standalone)

-> CD-ROM (networked) -> Web-based

• technical support– centralized -> decentralized ->

centralized

Problems in introducing new

technologies• insufficient preparation

• insufficient input into decision-making

• too much happening at once!

York University: 1988/89

• chaired CD-ROM Committee formed after CD-ROMs introduced to library

• 1st mistake: committee should have been formed before

• 2nd mistake:not enough time to become familiar with products

• 3rd mistake: done just after new catalogue introduced

CD-ROM (1)

• posted a question re: librarians’ resistance to CD-ROMs

• got 60 reasons from 25 people

CD-ROM (2)

Seven categories of responses:1. psychological (reluctance, apprehension,

fear)

2. multiple interfaces

3. increased teaching load

4. increased costs

5. increased stress

6. increased workload

7. hardware/software problems

Enter the Internet …

• subscribed to first list in 1989• started Internet training in 1992

… and have continued ever since!

• same rewards, same problemsas with CD-ROMs (just more!)

Convergence

• … of media, technologies, information sources

• more things to learn and to keep track of, often for fewer actual reference questions

• less reference, more technical support

Labour issues

• technology issues loomed large for faculty during YUFA strike of 1997– inequitable distribution– insufficient training– pressure to use in teaching

Final quotes ...

“we are living in an era when the potential of technology is almost always exaggerated and its practical limitations ignored.”

“Far from becoming keepers of the keys to the Grand Database of Universal Knowledge, today’s librarians are finding themselves in an unexpected, overloaded role: they have become the general public’s last-resort providers of tech support.”

-- CT Corcoran

References

• Giesbrecht W & McCarthy R. 1991. Staff resistance to library CD-ROM services. CD-ROM Professional 4(3): 34-38

• Corcoran CT. 1997. Are we ready for the library of the future?. Salon http://www.salon.com/21st/feature/1997/12/02feature.html

• Giesbrecht W. 1998. The dark side of convergence. Information Highways 5(3): 11

Walter W. Giesbrecht http://www.yorku.ca/walterg/