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The Human Implications of Technology's Impact on the Content of Library Science Journals - increasing amount of technology information in library journals - author abstract

Library Trends, Spring, 1999 by Donald E. Riggs, Sha Li Zhang

INTRODUCTION

The application of technology has had a profound impact on the content of library science journals. In addition to the substantial increase in the number of articles on technology appearing in existing journals, several new journals with a focus on technology have been created. Among the new titles appearing in the 1980s were The Electronic Library (1983); Library Hi Tech (1983); and Computers in Libraries (1989). Other new technology-driven journals were created in the 1990s.

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Significant changes have occurred in both librarianship and library service as a result of the application of technology. Most of these changes have been documented in the library literature. One of the most remarkable features is the rate of change. Perhaps change is occurring faster now than ever before in library history. This rapid change has created a greater dependence on having available the most recent information on the "best practices" in order for librarians to do their jobs in the most efficient and effective way. It also means that librarians can no longer expect to work in a peaceful and passive environment, if they ever did. Greater tolerance for ambiguity is now expected; in spite of discomfort, anxiety, and stress from change, librarians are expected to continue refining and improving their job performance.

Library science journals play an important role in helping with these difficulties--they keep librarians informed by carrying articles on new features/practices in libraries. Most librarians are hungry for such information because they face transitions from the familiar to the unknown almost daily.

APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY IN LIBRARIES

The growth of library technology stimulates attempts to predict the future of libraries by looking at the past and present. Managers and administrators believe using technology will result in significant savings or cost avoidance. State and federal legislators oversimplify the use of library technology and boast about it in terms that reflect little or no interest in accountability. Extravagant forecasts have been made; some observers have predicted that technology will make both libraries and librarians redundant. Undoubtedly, these unthinking overstatements about the perceived "benefits" of library technology will continue to surface. However, it has been abundantly clear since the 1930s, when punched-card equipment was first used in library circulation and acquisitions, that technology can improve the quality of service for the library user. The value added to libraries by technology could not be summarily dismissed during its infancy, nor should it be under-emphasized today.

Many reasons are given in the literature on why libraries use technology. Some reasons are geared to local needs, and some provide justification in the context of a networked environment. Lancaster and Sandore (1997) give one of the better and more succinct summaries of reasons:

1. to cope with increasing demands;

2. to reduce staff or prevent staff increases;

3. to allow more jobs to be performed by clerical and paraprofessional staff;

4. to improve existing services;

5. to provide new services; and

6. to collect better data to aid overall management of the library (p. 1). Obviously, this list should not be considered complete. In each of the above reasons, change is implied. What is the nature of the change? As is often stated in the literature, technology is a tool. It should not be a library goal; it is an enhancer--a means to an end. Technology has not necessarily changed the basic library mission to provide the right information for the right user at the right time, but it has dramatically changed the way that mission is achieved.

TRANSFORMATION OF JOURNAL CONTENT

In addition to the new library journals dedicated to technology that have begun in the past few decades, general library science journals such as Library Journal and American Libraries have increased in the number of pages devoted to technology. If one were to examine issues of a few general publications for 1988, 1993, and 1998 (ten years, five years, and one year ago), it would be obvious that there has been an increase of technological presence in columns, editorials, articles, and advertisements. Nearly all library science journals, regardless of their area of focus, now carry some articles on the application of technology in libraries. To gain information as to the actual number of technology articles which have appeared in specific journals in past years, three titles were examined for this study: College & Research Libraries (C&RL), Library Administration & Management, and Library Resources & Technical Services.

C&RL is a refereed research journal focusing on college and research libraries. It is published by the American Library Association six times a year, has an editorial board, and uses the peer review process. It is also worthy of note that the January 1998 issue of C&RL was a technology theme issue, "Technology's Influence on Improving Users' Effectiveness." This was the first theme issue in C&RL's sixty year history.

The Human Implications of Technology's Impact on the Content of Library Science Journals - increasing amount of technology information in library journals - author abstract

Library Trends, Spring, 1999 by Donald E. Riggs, Sha Li Zhang

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