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The future of libraries will be affected by technological development. Based on a blog post from IFLA named “The Internet of Things Serving Libraries”, I think one of the potentials for the future of library is application of Internet of Things (IoT) because wireless networks become more pervasive and more interconnected objects come online (Hoy, 2015).
IoT is “the embedding of computer hardware and software into everyday objects which can then be organized into a virtual network of ‘terminals’, providing configurable information about their status and location, remotely controlling or being controlled by smartphone and computers” (Chandler & Munday, 2016). The future of library may use IoT technology pervasively including monitoring equipment, using robotic devices and RFID.
Firstly, the future of library may tend to apply IoT technology to monitor equipment due to the effectiveness of management. Libraries may add equipment such as lighting, air conditioning and projector to the system of intellectual management of the building’s infrastructure. After including all equipment in a unified system, all devices can be connected together through Wi-Fi (Purnik, 2019). Librarians can control equipment remotely without physical limitations. Also, librarians can reduce their workload of monitoring different devices.
Secondly, the future of library may tend to use robotic devices and RFID for providing better user service. Libraries may use robotic devices which controlled through the web related to RFID and to the IoT for book return and reservation. The robotic devices can detect the book returned by user, confirms its acceptance and then using special conveyers puts the book into the right bin that belongs to a certain department. For book reservation, robotic devices can identify reserved book when it is returned and send them to the place where the reserved book is placed. The devices send message or email to notify users automatically (Purnik, 2019). Robotic devices save the manpower and time of librarians. They will not need to deal with time-consuming and menial tasks so they can work intensely with certain difficult need of their users. Moreover, the cost of using RFID may reduce in pace with the advancing technology development in the future. Libraries may be affordable to install RFID on all library shelves so that users can quickly find where a book is located. They also can get directions to the right bookshelf via special application (Purnik, 2019). Librarians can use their time and expertise effectively in in-depth service.
References
Chandler, D., & Munday, R. (2016). A Dictionary of Media & Communication (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Hoy, M. B. (2015). The “Internet of Things”: What it is and what it means for libraries. Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 34(3), 353-358. http://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2015.1052699
Purnik, A. (2019). The Internet of Things serving libraries. https://www.ifla.org/node/92356
This is great I didn’t read this article so had not thought at all about libraries creating remotely controlled environments.
Rachel
Yes, technology is constantly changing libraries.
I think robotics in a library is a great idea, mainly for the safety benefits that comes with reduced manual handling (speaking as someone with an old shoulder injury that flares up from moving books all day). In my old workplace there were 2 people with shoulder injuries that required physiotherapy and even surgery, and a couple others with back pain that they were seeing massage therapists, osteopaths or chiropractors for. Libraries may be an “office” environment, but they are very labour-intense.
It is so sad to hear about it. Yes, you are right. Robotics in libraries is a good idea because librarians always need to do some repetitive tasks, such as shelving. These can easily cause muscle strain.