The organisation where I am currently working has recently implemented a new Virtual Branch, https://www.ipswichlibraries.com.au/, to introduce new ways for customers to interact, collaborate and experience with the library service. This can be linked back to Bansal (2018), where it was discussed that libraries and library professionals are at the forefront of adopting new technologies and are actively implementing the technology in their work. One of the features of the Virtual Branch is the new Virtual Marketplace which provides users with a ‘Netflix’ like experience when browsing and ordering books, offering one-hour pickup guarantees on specific titles and sending notifications through email and text messages.
It is essential to stay up to date with what technology is required to meet the needs of the community by not only considering the present uses of technology but also the future potential of social media alongside these technologies. It is not only vital to stay current but to also look forward at new and emerging technologies that can be beneficial to the community (Kowalczyk, 2018). While many of these tools are still being developed, it is crucial that libraries and library professionals stay up to date on what is being improved, continuing being beneficial to the community.
Information professionals must continuously pursue new ways to use innovative, new technology to serve their customers. The information professional role will need to endlessly evolve to meet the needs of its users, ultimately being driven by technological innovation and advances (Van Dijck, 2013). An information professional will need more IT skills and training in necessary coding to understand the complexes of connecting items to each other. With the correct implementation and training, any new technology can potentially be learned and incorporated successfully into the library service. Future information professionals need to be continually seeking new ideas for employment, regularly updating their skills and be using social media to keep up to date on new advances and new technologies. Library professionals must think ahead of time as new issues arise with the adoption and implementation of new technologies (Bansal, 2018).
References
Image Credit: Photo by Samuel Zeller on Unsplash
Bansal, A., Arora, D., & Suri, A. (2018). Internet of Things: Beginning of new era for libraries. Library Philosophy & Practice, 1-7. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lih&AN=133865578&site=ehost-live
Kowalczyk, P. (2018, March 18). Library of the future: 8 technologies we would love to see [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://ebookfriendly.com/library-future-technologies/
Van Dijck, J. (2013). Engineering Sociality in a Culture of Connectivity. The Culture of Connectivity: A Critical History of Social Media. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/lib/CSUAU/reader.action?ppg=14&docID=3055231&tm=1510365111525
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