Effects of Technology on Learning

Libraries
by Dominique Santorelli
The transition to digital formats is creating new service opportunities in libraries as well as challenges. With
increasing amounts of digital materials, libraries must decide what technologies and materials with benefit their
collections and users. Despite these new technologies, librarians still provide valuable services to their
communities, helping users navigate the abundance of digital content to find the information they are seeking.
The Library Collection
With the prevalence of e-material usage, libraries find themselves re-evaluating their collections to determine what
types of e-materials to include, whether to include them at all, and if their users would be better served by the
library going completely digital. Libraries want to offer the user the right book, in the right format at the right
time. E-books are now part of that service (OITP E-book Task Force). Many users, particularly those using public
libraries, have their own tablet or e-reader and expect their public library to offer e-books just as they do with
traditional books. E-books and other electronic materials have also created new service opportunities for libraries,
providing accessibility for print-disabled users or elderly who have difficulty reading traditional materials through
options such as text-to-speech and font enlargement. E-materials have additional benefits such as returning to
circulation immediately and are potentially accessible to users remotely.
New information behavior associated with e-books has also resulted in a re-evaluation of the physical library space
to determine what design is conducive to learning with digital materials. Many libraries are moving their books to
off-site storage and filling the space with computers. Some libraries, like the "BiblioTech" in San Antonio, have even
gone completely bookless, checking out e-readers and e-books instead of physical ones. Users are generally split on
the issue, some favoring the bookless approach while others vehemently approach the removal of books from the
library. Many users still want a physical library space regardless of their preferred medium as a place to interact
with other users as well as librarians; it is up to the library to determine what that space looks like and what will
serve users best.
Somewhat paradoxically, by drawing millions more people into serious reading and learning, the
digital revolution has in fact created the need for more spaces of physical interaction.
- The Bookless Library
HOME EBOOKS EDUCATION LIBRARIES PERSONAL USE REFERENCES
The decision to incorporate digital materials into a librarys collection often results in disputes with publishers over
cost and which e-materials the library is able to offer is at least partially determined by budget. Can libraries afford
to purchase e-materials that cost three times as much as their physical counterparts, lease materials that have a
limit on usage, or pay expensive fees for difficult-to-use services like OverDrive and 3M Cloud? Additional costs are
associated with libraries purchasing and loaning e-readers to their users if they choose to do so. In addition to
budgetary concerns, digital materials also present numerous preservation issues. Changing formats, copyright law,
and ownership issues all contribute to the difficulties in maintaining a digital collection. Privacy issues create
additional concerns.
A Digital Public Library
Digital libraries that are not associated with a physical space are becoming increasingly common. These libraries are
not bound by the same parameters as a traditional library. Current efforts in the US are aimed at creating a free
digital public library. The DPLA is the most popular digital library project, but some speculate as to whether it is
geared toward too specific of a user group, namely academia. Rather than add more to the DPLA, they suggest a
second digital library to serve as a national library. Proponents of a digital public library are proposing that wealthy
individuals like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates finance a national endowment for digital library (or dual library system
with a public and an academic digital library), which would make e-materials free at the patron level, comparing it
to the Carnegies funding of physical libraries
Well-financed national digital library systems combined with the private sector would be far, far
more desirable than either the private or public approach alone. Whats more, just as gas taxes and
other user fees have financed the Interstate Highway System, similar concepts could help make
national digital library systems sustainable for the long run, no minor criterion for Bezos. So could the
existence of a Carnegie-inspired National Digital Library Endowment, along with recognition of the
economic benefits of national digital library systems for the public and even many corporations.
- A National Digital Library Endowment
Providing access to information, particularly of cultural significance has long been a mission of libraries and
museums. A national digital public library can provide access to materials of national significance in ways that were
previously impossible. It would also aid preservation efforts ensuring that cultural heritage items survive. The
World Digital Library (WDL) is a project with a similar mission, creating access to cultural and heritage content on a
global scale. James H. Billington, a librarian at the Library of Congress (U.S) proposed the creation of a WDL in a
2005 speech. "The basic idea was to create an Internet-based, easily-accessible collection of the world's cultural
riches that would tell the stories and highlight the achievements of all countries and cultures, thereby promoting
cross- cultural awareness and understanding" (Nabi). Like a national digital public library, use of the World Digital
Library would be free thereby encouraging people to utilize and explore the library.
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Librarians
In the digital age, it is up to librarians to guide users and help them gain access to the information they want.
Innovation is being stressed to keep libraries current, but even with new technologies, librarians are still experts in
information seeking and important to their user communities as such. [Barbara K. Stripling, president of the ALA]
believes that libraries and librarians can use their expertise to become digital guides, helping people to refine their
questions, identify authoritative sources, and learn how to find the best answers on their own. Sort of an even more
advanced advanced search (Farley). With such a wide variety of devices and software, library patrons often
benefit from classes or other instructional sessions in how to properly use technology to access e-materials.
Librarians can help patrons by providing thorough instructions, teaching skills as needed, and troubleshooting to
ensure that users are successful in their attempts. Librarians in the digital age must adapt to and embrace new
technologies so they can continue to connect with their communities and help their users learn and find
information.
The face of learning has changed, with increased emphasis on connectedness,
collaboration, and distributed knowledge. As a result, libraries and librarians are exploring new ways
to deliver educational opportunities through mobile technologies, use of social tools, distance
education, and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).
- The Future of Libraries