“Did you know 2021” communicates the digital world’s extent in 2021. Trends I believe influence the information professional include:

Social media

influence has increased exponentially as more people download platforms to further connect themselves to friends, family, and the wider world. 500 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute, with an expected 82% of internet traffic to pass through in 2022 (Esteves, 2021). For an information professional, this can provide great opportunities for outreach and chances for sharing content with an audience beyond physical locations. Applicable to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, coming with ramifications such as misaligning with library values, security concerns, and negative responses (Breeding, 2021, p. 10).

Data breaches

increase as we continue to develop our digital spaces, the sensitive and confidential data that is shared online can be maliciously targeted without permission to be copied, stolen, and shared. In 2020, 44 zettabytes of unique new data were created, and yet there were over 36 billion data records exposed from more than 2935 data breaches (Esteves, 2021). In library settings, malware can target library computers and hold blackmail or release private information with means of further ransom or expenses (McCrea, 2018, Slides 2-4). Entering the age of big data, information professionals must be aware of the big risks and dangers of the digital world to continue safely developing services.

Job market

faces continued uncertainty, and now with the growing presence of digital spaces and forward-looking technologies, the job market has drastically changed with some negative implications. Nevertheless, many in-demand jobs we have today didn’t previously exist, identifying the need for workforces that evolve (Esteves, 2021). Contradictory automation and robotics can now perform 50% of work activities unaided. Thankfully through automation, new jobs are created for maintenance and supervision, yet these new positions require upskilling and training of our current workforce having time and money complications (Holzer, 2022).

Electronic waste

of 53.6 tons were generated in 2021, exponentially growing with new developments and technologies (Esteves, 2021). Once outdated electronic devices are disposed, becoming e-waste exposing harmful toxins and pollutants negatively impacting our environments, ecosystems, and human health (Akram et al., 2019). Information professionals must make informed decisions and be aware of the e-waste generated when selecting technologies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

has numerous uses and potential repercussions, from self-driving cars to outperforming humans in activities (Esteves, 2021). Society is in a divide, some seeing AI in a fearful way, with others seeing an instrument promoting opportunity and efficiency in several industries leading to the creation of skill-based jobs (Stahl, 2021). Libraries must inflict caution alongside openness with AIs implementation to its opportunities to improve.

Overall, we should take these new innovations with a grain of salt and a lot of thought to adapt these new trends to benefit our services.

 

References:

Akram, R., Natasha, Fahad, S., Hashmi, M. Z., Wahid, A., Adnan, M., Mubeen, M., Khan, N., Rehmani, M. I. A., Awais, M., Abbas, M., Shahzad, K., Ahmad, S., Hammad, H. M., & Nasim, W. (2019). Trends of electronic waste pollution and its impact on the global environment and ecosystem. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 26(17), 16923-16938. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04998-2

 

Breeding, M. (2021). Social media disconnect: Considering the role of social media marketing strategies. Computers in Libraries, 41(8), 9-11.

 

Esteves, J. [mesjms]. (2021, January 17). DID YOU KNOW 2021 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbcMPGyPr8k&ab_channel=JoseEsteves

 

Holzer, H. J. (2022, January 19). Understanding the impact of automation on workers, jobs, and wages. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2022/01/19/understanding-the-impact-of-automation-on-workers-jobs-and-wages/

 

Stahl, A. (2021, March 10). How AI will impact the future of work and life. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2021/03/10/how-ai-will-impact-the-future-of-work-and-life/?sh=5a5a5eea79a3

 

McCrea, A. (2018). Ransomware and data breaches in public libraries. [PowerPoint slides]. Winnefox Extranet. https://extranet.winnefox.org/ce/TechDays2018/resources