Technology moves at such a pace that if we as a library don't keep pace we will be left behind in a matter of just years not decades.
Already we have moved in a relatively short time from Microfische and the card system to a cutting edge technology resource centre.
The rate at which technology has advanced in this field has amazed both the professionals in the field and outside observers. Books are no longer the only resource available and in time may only make up a small percentage of what a library has to offer. The article titled "Away from Icebergs" was interesting in that it highlighted 3 key areas of concern for libraries:
* "Just in case" collections
* Reliance of user education
* The "Come to us" model of a library service.
These are all crucial things that need to be addressed if we want to remain at the cutting edge of technology.
It is however worth noting that the Titanic was at the cutting edge of technology for its time. And look what happened to it. Sometimes all the technology in the word isn't worth a damn if it is not matched by common sense, ingenuity and basic problem solving skills. Something that hopefully most Librarians seem to possess.
Online resources are becoming more and more amazing and the ease of providing these services in the patrons home will make libraries a valuable resource for years to come. We just have to move with the times.
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