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.