Reading #1

Reading the articles was very interesting and informative with data representing the shifts taking place in the Libraries. In the OCLC report “Five-Year Information Format Trends”, the statement “the universe of material that a library must assess, manage and disseminate is not simply shifting to a new set or type of materials, but rather building into a much more complex universe of new and old…” caused me to reflect on my everyday working experience. Working in libraries for many years and now working for the Free Library of Philadelphia as a Library Assistant in a branch with mostly older patrons, has allowed me to experience many of the shifts referred to in the article. Many of the patrons come to the library needing help with access to computers and online information. While waiting for their reservations and assistance they browse the stacks searching for large books in print, books on tape, and VHS video recordings. The FLP is in the process of updating its resources keeping up with many of the trends mentioned in the report. Many of the older and some younger patrons now have to switch to books on cds and DVDs. Those who can’t make the switch have to scrounge around trying to find ways to satisfy fulfilling their needs of acquiring knowledge and information. After reading Clifford Lynch’s article “Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture one could possibly view these patrons as trying to fulfill their need for increasing their information literacy and information technology literacy in order to function and succeed in today’s increasingly technological society. Just as in Jason Vaughan’s article “UNLV’s Lied Library” the FLP has been striving towards an increasingly digital environment. It seems to be an overwhelming event this complex universe of new and old. My being in the MLIS program is one way in which the FLP is increasing the information literacy and information technology literacy of its staff in order to accommodate the needs of its patrons.

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