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The Impact of Information Technology on Academic Libraries

Arts 199 Seminar

Mark HaslettAssociate University Librarian

Information Services & Systems

October 23, 2001

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Focus for today Discussion of some major trends in

the area of I.T. and its impact on higher education

An administrator’s “take” Some UW examples Some pointers to other sources of

information

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Some Personal Info. UofT philosophy 1974-78 UWO MLS 1979-81 Career focus on:

Information technology & management issues

TUG TRELLIS project UCIST, LT3, … Interest in George P. Grant

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Some Questions How many of you:

Have a computer? A laptop? An email address? Use ICQ? Know what a URL is? The Netscape browser?

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Some Context The Second International WWW

Conference ’94: Mosaic and the Web Netscape browser – October 1994 Universities – key players in the

development of the WWW Efficient and effective access to information

Academic Libraries – key participants; leaders in the effective use of technology

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Networked environment

Networks are ubiquitous Portable computing devices are

commonplace Wired and wireless environments

are intertwined The IT environment envelopes us –

the computer is not just a tool.

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Connectivity, Content & Collaboration

Connectivity Communications technology

Content Convergence of connectivity & content

e.g. Electronic journals http://webdev.uwaterloo.ca/ejournals/index.html

Collaboration opportunities IT as an enabler

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The Library’s mission/role

Enhancing access to information

The Library trains and develops staff to: identify the information needs of

Library users relate those needs to available

resources provide access to those resources facilitate the productive and proficient

use of those resources

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The UW Library

High level of connectivity Collaborate extensively Commitment to focus on client service Commitment to innovation A commitment to the effective use of

technology in delivering information resources and services.

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The I.T. Context for Libraries

Libraries have a significant and proud past of I.T. initiatives and projects. Early 1960’s at UofT

They are able and innovative users of I.T.

They know their business; they are effective users of technology.

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Some History of Libraries and Information Technology

Modernization, innovation, transformation.

3 automation ages: (1) computerizing library operations; (2) rise of public access; (3) print goes electronic.

Now: networked information revolution.http://www.educause.edu/pub/er/erm00/pp060068.pdf

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Some UW Library I.T. examples

The UW Library is a leader in the effective use of IT

TRELLIS & TUG Remote Web access to e-resources

see http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/ Direct links to journal articles TDR

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The evolving library

Digital/electronic and paper resources both continue to grow

E-Journals (CFI CNSLP – Sept. 11 event)

The Digital Library

The Hybrid LibraryPrint; digital/electronic; …

E-Resources & services

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Some Key I.T. Issues in the Current Academic Library Context

Integrating access to information To print and digital resources Linking digital and digital

Where do you go for information first? TRELLIS? i.e. the catalogue? The Internet?

Sustainability & support Fostering innovation and building

prototypes Do you want personalized access to your

information?

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Changing I.T. Context

BUT technology is not a panacea, not a cure-all, nor a magic silver bullet.

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Watershed period “The ‘E’ is for Everything”?? We are in a watershed period The E-Economy is being hit hard. Even

more so after September 11th “Has the Internet Peaked?” (http://www.pfeifferreport.com/trends/ett_internet.html) We are emerging from an e-everything

environment. More realistic and practical.

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Some issues E-overload Unrealistic expectations A digital collection in itself is not a

digital library (the Internet is not a library) A library is a collection that is organised,

maintained, preserved, … Plagiarism – easier in the e-environment

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Is technology enhancing learning?

The educational environment at the University of Waterloo should be centred on learning where technology helps play a role in facilitating the acquisition, comprehension, dissemination and application of knowledge.

UW students and alumni should be life-long learners, adept at the self-directed use of technology in the acquisition, organisation and critical evaluation of knowledge.

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Putting Learning First - 1

Learning is primary Technology is secondary

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Putting Learning First - 2

Sound pedagogy should dictate when, where, and how technology is deployed in the learning and teaching environment.

Learning should be at the centre of any innovation in teaching that involves technology.

UW students and alumni should be life-long learners, adept at the self-directed use of technology in the acquisition, organisation and critical evaluation of knowledge.

The introduction of technology should enhance the learning environment.

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Technology’s role

Enabler Provides opportunities to share,

collaborate… Efficient delivery of information Aim is on effective & focused use of

technology The introduction of technology should

enhance the learning environment.

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Technology & Empire

Technology & EmpireG.P. Grant (Toronto, 1969)

1. “To exist as a North American is an amazing and enthralling fate.”

2. “We can hold in our minds the enormous benefits of technological society, but we cannot so easily hold the ways it may have deprived us, because technique is ourselves.”

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In Conclusion

How connected are you? How connected do you want to be? Are you aware of the IT environment in which

you live and study? Where do you get your information?

Use of libraries and labs? Use of print and digital/web resources?

Is the following a goal for you? To be a “life-long learner, adept at the self-directed use of technology in the acquisition, organisation and critical evaluation of knowledge.”