INFORMATION SHIFTING

Jenny Levinelevinej@sls.lib.il.us

Suburban Library Systemhttp://www.sls.lib.il.us/infotech/presentations/access2002/

Stop This Crazy Thing!

Jenny’s Theory of Library Relevancy

The “Net Generation” is the first generation that has been “information shifted” from birth and expects it.

Time-shifting = 1984 court term for recording shows on VCRs and watching want you want when you wantSpace-shifting = 1999 court term for making digital music files portable on MP3 players

The Library is not portable.The Library has to become portable.We’re getting there.

The Immovable Library

How was the Library portable before 1998?Telephone (landlines only; limited services available)Homebound service (seniors only)Booktalks (only librarian-selected titles)Bookmobiles (ditto, maybe some different formats)Fax (maybe)

The More Portable Library

How is the Library portable in 2002?E-mailWeb siteRemote databases for access from home or anywhere elseInternet-accessible catalogsWireless access to catalogsInstant messaging / chat

The Even More Portable Library

What else can we do?Integrated instant messaging / chat (bots)Wireless access for any device (cell phones, pagers, PDAs)eBooksMP3sPDA channelsWebcams & videoconferencingDistance education (e.g., LibraryU)

Common denominator is the digital format.

Technologies You AlreadyKnow About

E-booksHardware (devices)Software (netLibrary)

Wireless (cell phones/pagers)Wireless Web

PDAsPalmPocketPc

MP3sGPS (Global Positioning System)

The Next Level of Technologies

Audio e-bookshttp://www.audible.com/

New input methodsLaser keyboards (VKB)

E-inkhttp://www.eink.com/http://www.parc.xerox.com/dhl/projects/gyricon/

WirelessBluetooth802.11 (WiFi)

Heavenly JukeboxNapster / KazaaMP4 (video)

The Fun Part -- The Toys

MP3/MP4 playersFlipster MP4 playerArchos [Multimedia] Jukebox

PDAs (integrated keyboards & cameras)Cybiko ExtremeFRS (Family Radio Service)Chat

AIM, ICQ, etc.Trillian

GPS – Visteon NavMate SystemDVRs (Digital Video Recorders)

ReplayTVTivo

Tomorrow’s Toys Will Be Based on…

Pervasive Internet, pervasive computingBluetooth devicesWiFi connectivity3G networks

Digital convergence in devicesIncreased storage capacity(storage has gone mobile)Faster processorsSmartphones

Information will cometo you, not the other

way around.

Everyone Loves Portability

“[In 2000], more cell phones were sold than computers, televisions, PDAs and pagers combined…. It has even been predicted that by 2004 more people will connect to the Web via cell phone than by computer.”

-- Time Digital, January/February 2001

Other Countries Are More Portable than the U.S.

34% of the U.S. population used mobile phones;50% of the population of western Europe used mobile phones;50% of the population of Japan used mobile phones (more than land-lines!);71% of the population of Finland used mobile phones!

-- Scientific American, October 2000

Portable Examples Elsewhere

Download new characters to their phones each day Get pictures of the “10 most wanted” criminals on their phones Get their children’s school schedule on their phones Pay for vending machines & parking meters Play “Street Fighter III” on their phones

It’s Alive wireless gaming site

“Handy Dandy” from the Industry Standard

The Net Generation Will Grow Up with...

PANs Personal Area Networks

WPANs Wireless Personal Area Networks

Wireless and geographic positioning to get customized information Wireless access to music or movies

(information) via their smartphones Sophisticated games on their Java-enabled wireless devices Mobile payments Thumb-based input for devices

The Net Generation Will Grow Up with Disposable Information Devices

Use paper or fabric devices

                                                         

The Net Generation Will Grow Up with Intelligent Clothes & Appliances

Interact with their cars, clothing (wearable audio), and appliancesWearable computers

See For Yourself

Philips vision of wireless --http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/markets/communications/3g/

Important Problems to Solve

How do we interact with our patrons when wireless access is more important than physical ownership?

How do we make sure we are prepared to serve The Net Generation in their world?

Answer: Become portable (mobile)

Some Things You Can Do Now

Learn about the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) and CBDTPA (Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act), keep informed, and be prepared to write letters and contact legislators. (C-48, DMCA de Canada)Talk to your vendors. Prioritize remote database access and Web-based catalog enhancements.Start moving towards new interfaces/channels to your catalog & databases (IM, RSS, etc.)Follow the SLS Tech Summitshttp://www.sls.lib.il.us/infotech/presentations/

Electronic Handouts

The Heavenly Jukebox

http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2000/09/mann.htm

• How Much Data Is That?

http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/tek1/how_big.htm

• Terabyte Territory

http://www.sigmaxi.org/amsci/amsci.html

• When Elephants Dance

http://www.farces.com/stories/storyReader$414

• A Technology Timeline (PDF)

http://www.btexact.com/white_papers/downloads/WP106.pdf

Electronic Handouts

How to Stop Worrying and Love the Internet

http://www.douglasadams.com/dna/19990901-00-a.html

• Beloit College Mind List

http://www.beloit.edu/~pubaff/mindset/

The Shifted Librarian

http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/

Any Questions?