Demonstrate proficiency in identifying, using, and evaluating current and emerging information and communication technologies
Introduction
In the last 20 years we have seen dramatic changes in the ways that humans store, consume, and disseminate information. No longer is knowledge tied solely to the physical. The introduction of the computers, the internet, and smartphones have changed the way that patrons interact with information. When exploring this new information landscape, Michael Stephens, who has written extensively on the concept of Hyperlinked Libraries and how information professionals successfully pivot to this concept, reminds us that Information Professionals who embrace these changes and adapt to the new technology will be “rewarded with a growing engaged community base (Stephens, 2018, P. 214).”
Information professionals need to be prepared to meet their patrons where they are, online. The new information professional must be proficient at creating social media, infographics, videos, and blogs to name a few technologies. But, these technologies will soon be passe. Information professionals thus need to be ever ready to engage with new technologies that we cannot even imagine yet. As such, information professionals need to identify technology trends, evaluate the appropriateness of these technologies for their patron base, and finally learn how to use these technologies.
Identifying
Information professionals have many channels to identify new technology tools. One of those channels is professional conferences where other professionals share their experiences first hand. Conference presenters are often working colleagues who’s experience solving real world problems with the technology provides a fuller view of implementation issues and limitations. Technology vendors are also present at conferences and these sessions offer information professionals an informed representative from several different vendors in an easy to access format. Another channel that information professionals discover new technology is through professional writings in journals and peer writings in special interest blogs and communities on social media like FaceBook and Reddit.
Evaluating
An information professional starts evaluating a new technology tool by understanding the needs of the information community first. We have seen time and again how understanding the needs of the information community are the primary guidance for much of an information professional’s work. When gathering data about the needs of the information community all segments of the community should be considered and include common users, managers, and maintenance. The information professional then needs to understand how the new technology works and its limitations.
Using
Curiosity, creativity, and a positive attitude toward learning are three key ingredients that an information professional uses to start using new technology. All emerging technologies are by definition evolving, so some aspects can be a bit chaotic and messy. An integral part of learning new technologies is accepting that not everything will be perfect and that it takes a bit of play to use successfully. Keeping this playful attitude will help as one learns new technologies and then introduces them to patrons. Stephens postulates that libraries should “expand their foundational roles by becoming the primary inclusive space for the public to experiment with and use technology tools” (2018, P. 212). Thus, it is the information professional who will be guiding patrons as they use new technology like 3D printers . An information professional needs to be doubly proficient as the guide to patrons new to technologies.
Competency development
My undergrad education is in Computational Mathematics and I started my career as a computer programmer, so I have always loved technology. I build on my professional experiences with HTML and Java programming in the INFO 240 Information Technology & Tools by learning more about CSS. My SJSU classes challenged me to use many social media technologies and presentation software that I had never used before. INFO 294 Professional Internship required the use of Prezi to create our final internship report. INFO 287 required all of our work to be done through a blog we created and I became proficient in WordPress. INFO 287 Hyperlinked Libraries also challenged me to make infographics and explore new emerging technologies like VR headsets. I also attended the professional conference Internet Librarian in 2018 and found it to be invaluable in expanding my knowledge of current technologies.
I demonstrated these skills when working on the BookFest program in my capacity as school librarian. BookFest was a reading challenge I created for our school community to encourage reading and build community during the pandemic in 2020. Running for the entire month of November the entire school worked together to read 1,000 books. All information about the challenge was presented to the students using a website online. I choose to use a website because it made all information available to students, teachers, and parents easily accessible. Students entered their books and uploaded pictures of themselves with their books using an online form available on the website. Student photos were updated weekly on the website so that students saw themselves and their friends when they went to input books. A weekly newsletter including the weekly progress and every single student photo submission was also sent to parents and teachers to help encourage participation. When the program concluded, I created a short informational video about the program to be presented via Zoom at the school board meeting using iMovie to incorporate screen captures, video, and photos of the event.
Evidence Description
INFO 287 Blog post Social Media for the WIN!
I am including this blog post from the INFO 287 Hyperlinked Libraries to demonstrate my understanding of how a successful library social media campaign should be run. I have uploaded the blog post in this ePort blog as the original blog hosted on the SJSU site is no longer online.
INFO 287 Blog post The Listening Station Director’s Brief
The Listening Station project is an example of how technology can be incorporated in the elementary library experience. I introduced the concept in a blog post created for INFO 287 and used the online software Piktochart to create the presentation. I have uploaded the blog post in this ePort blog as the original blog hosted on the SJSU site is no longer online.
Professional Experience – Library Website Guadalupe Elementary
I am including the library website I created for the Guadalupe Elementary School library to demonstrate the use of online technology to connect with students. Before I started, the school website did not include a library page at all. In 2020 and 2021 students were schooling at home using distance learning. I added a library page to give students access to the school library catalog, create an easy way to access Sora, and to push information out to students about the library.
Concluding Remarks
Michael Stephens (2018, P. 219) noted the new information professional needed to not only have traditional skills in literacy grounded in library ethics and values, but also one needed the creativity and curiosity to embrace new technology. I have found incorporating webpages, blogs, and social media into my own school library to be just as important to connect with students as my knowledge of current elementary literature.
References
Stephens, M. (2018). Hyperlinked Libraries. In S. Hirsh (Ed.), Information Services today: An introduction. (Second edition, pp. 211-219). Rowman & Littlefield.
October 3rd, 2021 12:21pm
e-portfoliosarahmettler 