Monthly Archives: May 2021

OLJ Task 18: Thoughts for the future

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From reading the article “Cutting Edge: Technology’s Impact on library services”, I have gained insight over the change happened to the library since digital technologies have been adopted by the library and how it had influenced the library in providing better library service and experience to the patrons with the latest technology. Since the library was established, the goal library has been achieving is to acquire, store, preserve and organise information and provide information and resource for library client to access (Jesubright & Saravanan, 2019, p. 17). But when new cutting edge technologies, such as big data, virtual reality, internet connection, cloud technology, etc., becomes available in the market, lots of libraries had implemented these technologies into their library services to satisfy their present and prospective clients’ needs. For example, in an academic library, the adoption of new technologies in the library has enhanced its overall capability in offering service and resource access to the user, such as providing library client with access to e-resource online and online consultation services.

The potential of adopting these technologies in the library had been proven effective during the outbreak of COVID-19 when lock-down was issued by the government. During the outbreak of the pandemic, I have noticed the change of the services being provided by libraries from face-to-face to online virtual services due to the isolation taken place which stops student from visiting the library, which academic libraries were forced into a completely remote environment to ensure students and academics can still access library services and resources (Rand & Shepard, 2020). For example, the availability of internet and cloud technologies offered students access to library resource, and librarian can provide most services remotely so that research and course work can be minimally interrupted (Rand & Shepard, 2020).

Other than supporting information access during COVID-19, the adoption of technologies in library can also be used in enhancing the overall library services. From researching the use of technologies in library, I had discovered mobile technology can assist library to establish possible library service to the student who is studying remotely, which are highlighted in Acheampong’ article regarding the use of mobile technology in library, as Acheampong (2021) state “distance education has been transformed due to swift advancement in portable computing devices and proliferation in mobile internet networks.

As technologies can potentially enhance library services, they can also impact the information professionals in the future. As technologies were implemented, it had enhanced library services by providing the patron with access to library resources and services without wasting time (Jesubright & Saravanan, 2019, p. 23). And for information professionals, the implementation of technologies can enhance the overall productivity, allowing librarian to effectively provide services which can satisfy patrons’ needs.

Reference

Acheampong, E., & Agyemang, F. G. (2021). Enhancing academic library services provision in the distance learning environment with mobile technologies. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2020.102279

Jesubright, J. J., & Saravanan, P. (2019). Cutting Edge: Technology’s Impact on Library Services. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-1482-5.ch002

Rand, A. D., & Shepard, B. R. (2020). A SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE OF ACADEMIC LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY USE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Quarterly review of distance education, 21(3), 59-63.

OLJ Task 13: Information trends

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Watch the video and identify five (5) examples of ‘shifts’ or trends that can have an impact on how individuals behave as a digital citizens. Then outline (in around 400 words) how you believe these behaviours can impact on the need for, and development of, information policy in organisations to address these behaviours. You may wish to explore these from either a user/customer perspective or employee/employer perspective, or a combination of both, and you may wish to consider this task within the specific context of your own library and/or organisation, or you can address this task in general terms.

From watching the video “Digital Transformation”, I had identified 5 examples of trends that can have an impact on how individuals behave as a digital citizen, which consists of:

  • Receiving news from Social Media
  • Buying decision is influenced by social media
  • More people own a mobile device
  • Online dating
  • Online shopping

By identifying these 5 examples of trends which I believe will influence and impact the development of information policy in organisations to address these behaviours, I noticed these developing trends have significantly highlighted the way we use to engage with people and business, and accessing information since the social media platforms are available, such as receiving the latest news from news media through Facebook, access information regarding a product or services we are interested in and experience it virtually, access to services remotely and meeting people who are beyond reach. As for organisation, I noticed social media platforms had been adopted in promoting their service and product to their target audience, establish a positive image of the brand and influence the audience over our buying decision. Also, the use of social media and web 2.0 technologies in engaging people can enhance the popularity of the organisation as Coles (2018) state “more people will get to know the business or brand exists when an organisation has use online channels to create social influence among people”.

From exploring the 5 examples I had identified from the video, I noticed the existent of social networking and its developing trends had influenced a major change to the way we access information and engage with others, such as the adoption of digital technologies in shopping, receiving information about a product or service, and the way we maintain a relationship with people. But from these upsides of social media, there’s also some downside that can impact social media in delivering information to the target audience, such as using inappropriate language and material in the post which can possibly result in offending the user. To ensure the content being published in social media is appropriate, lots of organisations have created a social media policy to provide a clear guideline containing information regarding the use of social media to engage with the clients, which addressing the organisation’s expectations, information access right and staff’s responsibility when using the social media (Hebblewhite, 2017), also instructing what type of behaviour staff should practice when they are using social media when engaging with the clients.

References

Coles, L. (2018). Social media for business : foolproof tips to help you promote your business or your brand. John Wiley & Sons.

Hebblewhite, N. (2017). Implementing an effective social media policy. Governance directions, 69(3), 167-169.