Analysis of disruptive technology in the library
Facilitated by Lisa Chow & Sandra Sajonas, Brooklyn Public Library
Traditionally, finding a piece of reference material in the library, such as a book, was difficult, where the searcher needed to go from librarian to catalog to to stacks, back to the librarian and so on. Other processes in the library, such as printing using a card and account system present similar problems.
- facilitators shared analysis of pilot branch with self-check out kiosks and effect that it has one everyday functioning of library using people-centered research methods from IDEO method cards
- final suggestions for library to replace person-to-person interactions that were severed by implementation of kiosks such as book a librarian service, single point service model, roving librarian
- recommendation to complete people-centered analysis before implementing new technology & to use technology thoughtfully
- One of the reasons for this is poor space usage. Stations in a library are usually poorly arranged, without regard to flow or efficient use of space. This can be handled better with better planning. A solution to this problem can be better floor space planning, with a central service point, and then various stations arranged in a cyclical pattern around this area. Professional help (e.g. a professional design firm) should be invoked when planning the space.
- When studying disruptive technology, it appears that staff and patrons are very often on different planes of thought. It was mentioned that the motivation to ask for help from library staff seems to be based on aged group.
- Another problem seems to be the inability of patrons to handle the existing technology, even with the help of the library staff. Very often they want the work done for them. A solution may be to instruct patrons to the point where they are comfortable using the technology.
- Yet another issue seems to be the availability of the internet on every computer, in both the library and the classrooms and lecture halls. This can be countermanded in the classrooms in the classrooms by special software that limits the function of the computer. In other contexts, it seems that the user is at the mercy of their own self discipline.
- It has been mentioned that many students entering college are lacking in necessary computer skills. Schools are countering this problem by offering many options in the use of computers.