Well, this program was guilty of false advertisment.
First of all, there were only *four* trends identified, and out of these, only one made sense to me! Here were the four trends:
- "Electronic Content Distribution". Michael Porter from OCLC basically stated that libraries do not do a good job of distributing their content (i.e. databases, web pages, online catalogs, etc). He said that companies like Netflix or iTunes or Amazon do, and in the process have stolen our market share. But that was it. Didn't offer any ideas or solutions on how we should improve distrbution. It was be like saying "Libraries need more money". I mean, that is also a given. But this speaker totally lacked substance.
- "Smartphones and Augmented Reality". Augmented reality is using existing technology like GIS and overlaying with data and/or photos via smartphones. For example, you could theoretically take your phone and point it at a bookshelf in your library and then on your phone, you would get reviews of the books you pointed at, or perhaps articles on the subject these books were about. Theoretically, you need to program something called a QR code. It apparently exists now but someone has to do this. A bit futuristic but I guess this kind of thing has potential applications.
- "EBooks". Not new but this speaker (David Lee King) said that when the iPad hits the market next week, it will revolutionize eBooks. He was working on the premise that Apple has already done at least three killer apps (the mouse and GUI interface have revolutionaized PCs, iTunes revolutionized the music industry, and the iPhone revolutionized hand-held devices). So the iPad should revolutionize how people read books, newspapers and magazines. Apparently Apple has already been working with the largest book publishers for content, so i will be interesting to see where the iPad takes eBooks. I am fine with getting a couple of iPad to play around with. If nothing else, they will be perfect for "roving reference" in that you can access catalog and our databases while walking about the floor.
- "Changing the Digital Divide". Another "trend" that didn't make sense. Of course a digital divide exists but how is this a trend?
Anyway, that was the Top Ten Trends. Overall, other than the part about the eBooks a fairly disappointing program.
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I think buying an iPad for each library is a great idea! I'd love to try roving reference. I always get tons of questions as I'm walking from the cloffice to the staff lounge.
ReplyDeleteWe did roving reference at Temecula (sans Ipad) and it was great. I reccomend having another staff member staying stationed at "base camp" to handle phones and walk up questions though.
ReplyDeleteLike the idea of ebooks. Prefer downloading movies, music etc. like netflix and itunes. I don't know if libraries can do that, but that would be AWESOME!
I like the augmented reality idea. I have no idea how to make it work or any of the background. But i like the idea of being able to interact with my "real" world and virtual world at the same time. I would need some serious tutoring to make that happen.
I also like the idea of buying one iPad for each library for roving reference. I'll be curious to see if iPads do boost the popularity of eBooks.
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