Keeping Up with Technology

How do you plan to keep up with new innovations in technology once you have completed your classes at UNT?

     One way I keep up with what is going on with technology right now is on my iPhone I have the app for Google News installed and one of the keywords I have it look for is technology, as well as computers. Recently there have been a lot of stories about the iPad and the "accidental" loss of the new 4G iPhone. When I have completed my coursework at UNT, I will continue to use this as a way to keep up with technology.

     Another way I do and will keep up with technology is by staying in contact with those who are younger than me. My younger brother is the one who convinced me a number of years ago to purchase an mp3 player, as well as persuading me to purchase an iPhone this last year. One of my tutoring students had to create a Powerpoint presentation this year, and the computer we used had the 2007 version on it which I had very little experience using.

     Besides going into bookstores and libraries, one of my favorite places to go are the computer type stores. I can walk around for hours just browsing all the different items available. In this way I have found items I had not known existed before. This is something I can continue to do.

     Finally, my dad forwards a technology newsletter to me which includes various articles on technologies, as well as answers to technology questions. There have been a number of articles on the iPad, as well as a virus threat, etc. So, I can continue to read that newsletter, as well as see if there are other technology newsletters. Also, sometimes the American Library Association and Texas Library Association newsletters, have articles related to technology.

Organizing Information

Organizing books and materials used to be in the domain of professionally trained catalogers and indexers. Now, through Web 2.0, it is in the hands of everyday "folk." What are the implications of this trend for librarians? Also, for additional food for thought, go to your Delicious site and examine your list of tags. In your opinion, are these tags more or less helpful than traditional subject headings?

   The implications of "regular folk" organizing information such as their book collections (LibraryThing), their bookmarks (delicious) as well as articles which they really liked (buzz, etc.) are that people will have a sense of control of their environment. The RDA which may be implemented in cataloging soon I think has a very similar approach to the idea of Web 2.0. Relationships. So, once that is implemented, and patrons understand it, I think it will be very helpful - both in the traditional library, and to individual patrons at home.

     My delicious tags were: blog, discussion, LibraryThing, and SLIS 5720. The biggest difference between delicious tags and traditional subject headings is that of user error. With traditional subject headings you have authoritative sources such as the Library of Congress which dictate the correct spelling and format. In contrast, delicious tags are totally up to the user as to spelling and terminology they think is best. Delicious tags may be better than traditional subject headings in that they may be more current. However, I think that traditional subject headings trump the "currency" of delicious tags by having a more concise and agreed upon terminology.