Keeping Up with Emerging Technologies: Best Practices for Information Professionals

Hennig, Nicole. Keeping Up with Emerging Technologies: Best Practices for Information Professionals. Libraries Unlimited, 2017. ISBN 978-1-4408-5440-8.

Today's librarians and information specialists know it's imperative that they keep up with new technologies. But not all technologies are equally important, either within the library setting or to library patrons. So how does one decide which ones to pursue and integrate into services? In the uphill battle to stay current with new and emerging technologies, deciding which ones to pursue and integrate into services is a major challenge. A secondary problem is simply finding the time to consider the question. Readers of Keeping Up with Emerging Technologies will learn all of the best practices and skills to keep up with new technologies and to analyze the ability of specific technologies to meet recognized user needs—all in this single source.

You'll learn the best ways to gather information about new technologies and user needs, to evaluate and analyze information, to curate technology information for others, to set up experiments and evaluate the results, and to present your findings to persuade decision-makers. Written by the former head of user experience at MIT's library system, this guidebook serves information professionals, educators, education technology specialists, and anyone with "emerging technology" or "innovation" in their job titles. It will also be useful for library administrators and those who manage these positions as well as for students seeking a technology-oriented or curriculum-design career path in libraries.

[More from the publisher]

Managing Library Technology: A LITA Guide

Block, Carson. Managing Library Technology: A LITA Guide. Rowman & Littlefield, 2018. ISBN 978-1-4422-7181-4.

Managing Library Technology introduces library workers (including non-technical managers, tech administrators and even “accidental technologists”) to core concepts in technology management and provides strategies that will enable them to master the basics of library tech. The content of the book is taken from the author’s popular American Library Association -approved Certified Public Library Administrator course, “Management of Technology,” and is geared to the needs of all kinds of libraries.

The book contains easy-to-follow exercises and tools that have been tested in real-world situations with students as they tackled their own evaluation, planning and management challenges. Readers are also given a roadmap to create a technology plan for their library—even if they have no direct technology background themselves.

This book helps library workers understand the underpinnings of technology and how to powerfully manage tech to serve patrons and staff alike. Readers will learn: 

• How libraries fit into the overall technology market
• Strategies to future-proof library technology efforts
• Approaches to technology planning that stick – and strategies to keep the plan on track
• Skills to understand technology investments by understanding the total costs of ownership and the specialized library return on technological investment
• How to collect and use useful data and statistics without being overwhelmed
• How to stay current, knowledgeable and comfortable with rapid technological change

Crash Course in Technology Planning

Brown, Christopher D. Crash Course in Technology Planning. Libraries Unlimited, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-4408-5060-8

Description
From software to hardware to networks and even electricity, if you are tasked with managing IT resources and infrastructure on a bare-bones budget for your library, you need this book!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Set yourself up for success
3. Triage
4. Troubleshooting the individual computer
5. Mobile devices
6. Your software arsenal
7. Inventory
8. Networks and networking 
9. Networks, servers, clients, and addressing servers and clients
10. A short primer on electricity
11. Maintaining your machines
12. Procurement
13. The value of sales representatives
14. Future planning and goal setting
15. Dealing with the public 101 : understanding technology literacy 
16. Dealing with the public 102 : managing your own superhero status.

Technology Handbook for School Librarians

Scheeren, William O. Technology Handbook for School Librarians. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2015.
ISBN: 978-1-4408-3396-0

Publisher's Description
Stay current, meet educational standards, and keep your students coming back again and again by incorporating the latest technologies into your school library.

Both theoretical and practical, this book will provide you with a strong introduction to a variety of technologies that will serve you—and your patrons—well. Each chapter addresses a different aspect or kind of technology. You'll learn essential skills, planning and funding techniques, and what hardware and software you'll need. You'll find plenty of information on creating or maintaining your library's web presence through websites, blogs, and social networking, as well as on various tools that you can use and apply to your curriculum.

Many state standards include technology components, and this guide shows you how to meet them and stay up to date. You'll also learn what you should watch for in the future so you remain essential to your school.

Features

• Includes a web companion that posts updates and keeps readers abreast of new products and changes in the field
• Offers a series of case studies to test and challenge students
• Addresses technology in the curriculum, including STEM and Common Core standards

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: School Libraries: How It Was
Chapter 2: How It Is
Chapter 3: Technology Skills for School Librarians
Chapter 4: Networks, Hardware, and Software for School Libraries
Chapter 5: Computing in the Cloud
Chapter 6: Planning for and Funding Technology in the School Library
Chapter 7: Copyright, Censorship, Filtering, and Security Systems
Chapter 8: Library Information Systems
Chapter 9: School Library Web Sites
Chapter 10: Digital Libraries and Digital Collections
Chapter 11: Online Materials for the School Library
Chapter 12: Electronic Books (eBooks)
Chapter 13: Integrating Technology into the Curriculum
Chapter 14: Web 2.0 and Related Technology
Chapter 15: Common Core Standards and STEM
Chapter 16: Educating Digital Natives and Countering Cyberbullying
Chapter 17: Where Are We Going: The School Librarian, Technology, and the Future

Library Automation: Core Concepts and Practical Systems Analysis, 3rd edition

 

Bilal, Dania. Library Automation: Core Concepts and Practical Systems Analysis, 3rd edition. Libraries Unlimited, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-59158-922-8

Description
Planning a library catalog migration? This book is a great starting point! The author explains how next-generation discovery services supported in the library services platforms (LSPs) provide a single point of access to library content in all types and formats, thereby offering a unified solution to managing library operations. The book covers methods of analyzing user requirements, describes how to structure these requirements in RFPs, and details proprietary and open-source integrated library systems (ILSs) and LSPs for school, public, special, and academic libraries.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Integrated Library System (ILS) Defined
Chapter 2: Library Automation Life Cycle (LALC)--Phase I: System Identification and Planning
Chapter 3: Library Automation Life Cycle (LALC)--Phase II: Gathering User Requirements
Chapter 4: Library Automation Life Cycle (LALC)--Phase III: Structure User Requirements and Selecting a System
Chapter 5: Library Automation Life Cycle (LALC)--Phase IV: System Implementation, Part 1: Preparing the Collection for the Integrated Library System
Chapter 6: Library Automation Life Cycle (LALC)--Phase IV: System Implementation, Part 2: Installation, Testing, Facility, Training, and Tracking System Use
Chapter 7: Software, Hardware, and Network Architecture
Chapter 8: System (ILS) Migration
Chapter 9: Library Automation Life Cycle (LALC)--Phase V: Evaluating System Use Through Usability
Chapter 10: Library Automation "On the Move"
Appendix A: Sample Request for Proposal by the Brentwood Library, Brentwood, TN
References

The Network Reshapes the Library: Lorcan Dempsey on Libraries, Services and Networks

Demspey, Lorcan. Edited by Kenneth J. Varnum The Network Reshapes the Library: Lorcan Dempsey on Libraries, Services and Networks. ALA Editions, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1233-1 

Description
Lorcan Dempsey is a popular blogger on library technology topics. This book brings together a curated collection of Dempsey's posts looking at the past and future of libraries. Library planners, administrators, and technology staff will find analysis of technology trends that is stimulating and thoughtful. You can check out his current blog at: http://orweblog.oclc.org/


Table of Contents

1. Networked Resources
2. Network Organization
3. In the Flow
4. Resource Discovery
5. Library Systems
6. Data and Metadata
7. Publishing and Communication
8. Libraries
9. Lorcan's Picks

Technology for Small and One-Person Libraries: A LITA Guide

Erlandson, Rene J. Technology for Small and One-Person Libraries: A LITA Guide. Chicago: ALA TechSource, An imprint of the American Library Association, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-55570-858-0

From the publisher’s web site:

For those working in a small library, particularly one that may have little technical support, a foundational knowledge of technology is crucial. Written for librarians, library staff, and administrators at libraries serving populations of 15,000 or less, this LITA guide shows how to successfully develop, implement, sustain, and grow technology initiatives. The contributors draw from personal experience in rural libraries and regional state university libraries to offer guidance for making sound technology decisions. Whether looking for a quick answer or starting an in-depth technology project, readers will quickly find basic information on the full range of library technology, organized into chapters with numerous headings for easy scanning. Topics include

• An overview of library technology basics
• Electronic resource fundamentals, including a look at licensing issues
• Webpage development, Open-source (OS) applications, and a six-step plan for social media and social networking
• How to create and sustain an effective technology strategy

Complete table of contents and more information available from ALA Techsource.

Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion

Burke, John J. Neal Schuman Library Technology Companion. 4th edition. Neal-Schuman, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-55570-915-0

Description
The fourth edition of Burke's comprehensive resource, newly revised and updated, is a primer for any current or future library professional looking to stay at the forefront of technological advancement. This all-in-one guide helps readers stay connected to the latest library technology topics and tools.

Table of Contents

Part I: Library Technology Basics

Chapter 1. What the Folks in the Trenches Know That You Should Too

Chapter 2. The History of Information Technology in Libraries

Chapter 3. How to Find Information on Library Technologies

Chapter 4. Evaluating, Buying, and Implementing Technology

Part II: Technology Tools for Libraries

Chapter 5. Computers in Libraries: Desktops, Laptops, Mobile Devices, and Office Applications

Chapter 6. Computer Communication in Libraries: The Internet, Wi-Fi, and E-mail

Chapter 7. Whither the Library Catalog? Library Systems, Discovery Layers, and Open-Source Options

Chapter 8. Storage Devices in Libraries: Magnetic Media and Our Old Friend Paper

Chapter 9. Library Databases and Electronic Resources: Full-Text Periodicals, E-books, and E-reference Collections

Chapter 10. The Internet’s Impact on Finding Information: A Is for Amazon, G Is for Google

Chapter 11. Web 2.0 and Libraries: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Skype

Part III: How Libraries Put Technology to Work

Chapter 12. Meeting and Supporting Patron Technology Needs: Universal Design and Adaptive/Assistive Technology

Chapter 13. Library 2.0 and the Library: Virtual Reference, Blogs, and Usability

Chapter 14. How Library Staff Learn and Teach: Screencasts, Distance Learning, and Learning Management Systems

Part IV: Building and Maintaining the Technology Environment in Libraries

Chapter 15. Protecting Technology and Technology Users: Spam, Spyware, and Security Strips

Chapter 16. When Things Fall Apart: Troubleshooting Tips for Every Technology User

Chapter 17. Building the Technology Environment: Ergonomics, Infrastructure, and Gaming

Part V: Where Library Technology Is Going and How to Get There

Chapter 18. Writing a Technology Plan

Chapter 19. Our Technological Future: Ranganathan Meets Googlezon

The New Learning Commons

 

Loertscher, David V., Carol Koechlin, and Sandi Zwaan. The New Learning Commons: Where Learners Win!: Reinventing School Libraries and Computer Labs. 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Hi Willow Research, 2011. ISBN: 978-1933170671

Publisher's Description

Originally published in 2008, the first edition of this book proposed a complete rethinking of the school library and computer lab in a 21st century school. After four years, the concepts of the Learning Commons have gained momentum across North America and in Australia. This second edition is rich in the further development of the concept and its implementation and draws upon many schools that have developed their programs and recreated their physical space and turned their library websites into virtual learning commons. For those who purchase the print edition, a Book2Cloud version is accessible. In this collaborative digital work, the many links to resources are live and readers can comment, add material and join with other readers in the discussion beyond what a static ebook version would have been. Every chapter has been totally revised and rethought to include the  latest research in education, technology, and library science. The book also contains a new chapter  concerning the building by students of their own personal learning environment. In this life0changing project, they learn to create their own portal into the world of the Internet, construct a personal learning network, and construct their own portfolio and public face on the Internet. Readers of the first edition will be pleased to encounter many more resources, ideas, experiences from the field, and a host of ideas from educational authorities around the world. And with the Book2Cloud edition, you can join in the conversation with the authors.

See the related book, The Virtual Learning Commons. 

Building the Gigabit City (eBook)

Settles, C. (2013). Building the Gigabit City: A Planning Guide. Smashwords, Inc.

This is an online eBook. Click here to read now!

 
Superfast broadband significantly boosts local economies, transforms education, improves healthcare delivery and increases local government efficiency. Building the Gigabit City helps you ask the right questions so you can do the same for your constituents.

Pulling valuable lessons from many of the 340 communities with successful broadband networks, this multimedia guide overflows with practical advice. Building the Gigabit City, produced in partnership with Gigabit Squared, helps rural and urban communities:

1) ignore the hype surrounding gigabit networks;
2) understand what super-fast access can and cannot do for your community;
3) conduct effective needs assessment; and
4) plan effective broadband strategy.

Success breeds success. Community leaders and project teams running successful broadband projects inform and motivate readers with insights on planning, funding, building, operating and marketing highspeed Internet access and services. U.S. communities from coast to coast are interviewed.

From a multimedia array of interviews, panel discussions, keynote presentations and first-hand experience, readers pick up valuable insights on:

* nine possible community broadband business models;
* six options for funding community broadband;
* building consensus among stakeholders;
* cultivating effective partnerships;
* overcoming or proactively addressing political adversity; and
* creating winning broadband strategies.

Building the Gigabit City is broadband industry analyst Craig Settles’ first e-book. For over 25 years his workshops and consulting services have helped organizations worldwide use technology to cut costs, improve operations and increase revenue. Numerous books, blog and in-depth analysis reports have established Mr. Settles as a prominent thought leader on executing broadband strategies. He currently hosts Gigabit Nation, a weekly Internet radio talk show. (book description)