Tomorrow's Library: Discussion Paper.

The third article I am reviewing is Tomorrow's Library: Discussion Paper.

  

Tomorrow's Library facebook page is available here

  

This discussion paper has been created to ensure that Victoria’s libraries are an asset to the community.  The Minister for local government has created an Advisory council and is calling on the community to have their say on the requirements of the state’s public libraries.  The minister wants public libraries to keep abreast of information technology and have the states public libraries offer the community the services they require into the future. This paper is part of a community review of the public library system, part of a consultative process with the public to examine library requirements: it is the first stage to creating libraries that address the community’s needs in relation to emerging technologies.

The paper examines the changing role of the library and believing the patrons offer a unique insight into community needs, their opinions are sought in creating library services for the future. Libraries are inclusive of many diverse groups and the many services offered and the use of library buildings are being examined in order to provide a balance of lifelong learning, information literacy together with traditional library activities. 

The discussion paper explains what is currently on offer in public libraries and identifies areas that can be improved. It is presented clearly and concisely and is easy to read and understand for those outside the library. I believe the format is consistent with its purpose, namely to invite comment and discussion. The paper looks at what libraries have offered in the past and aims to equip libraries for the future needs of our society. The questions it poses are designed to generate feedback and hopefully this will have a positive impact, bringing together many new ideas.

I liked the style of this discussion paper: it looked inviting with the bright cover and was   clearly written and easy to follow. The questions it posed were interesting and created thought. I found the headings clear for each aspect of library service and the points covered were logical. This style could limit some who like to think ‘outside the box’ however it would lead to ideas that would feasibly be implemented in a public library. Because of its light style I think a member of the public would read it and be happy to contribute: it wasn’t officious and off putting.  The suggestions the paper contained were along similar lines to those expressed by Emery and Stone supporting the concept of libraries evolving over time to best fill the needs of the community. Their model for patron driven acquisition is one area public libraries could explore. As is planning which databases would be worthwhile purchasing in different demographics and which are sustainable with the budgetary constraints of a public library (Emery & Stone 2013).

 

Seadle ‘s argument that ‘libraries are not obsolete but need to redefine their role’ in the digital age is the reason for discussion papers such as this. His ideas of gaming in libraries, use of social media and e books are services to be integrated into public libraries as libraries adapt to digital information (Seadle, 2012). New technology such as electronic reading devices, i pods, i pads, smart phones etc have changed how library services are accessed and suggestions to integrate these technologies is needed. This paper hasn’t mentioned privacy and security of information which is an important factor with the public linking to databases and other digital information. According to Houghton and Berryman this management of the rights of information is an increasingly challenging area for libraries and access and privacy are vital omissions to this discussion paper (Houghton and Berryman, 2007).Obviously with more digital component in collections secure access is an important consideration.

The focus on the library buildings is valuable because many library buildings are dated and aren’t compliant with new access regulations; this needs to be rectified. The focus on the collections, services and challenges faced by public libraries is timely however and this paper is a positive step to reinvigorating public library services for the future. This paper presents an invitation to the public to have input in creating the library they require; one which will service their needs in a digital age.

I also like the slogan.

your voice. shaping the future.

 

                                                                                                                          

All photographs taken

by Rosemary Archondakis
 

References

 

Emery,J. And Stone, G. (2013).Techniques for electronic resource Management, Library Technology Reports. retrieved from    http://www.alatechsource.org/ltr/index

Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries (2012). Tomorrow's Library: Discussion Paper. State Government of Victoria. Retrieved from http://www.plvn.net.au/sites/default/files/TLTD002_Tomorrow's Library Discussion Paper final web.pdf

Seadle, M. (2012). Thirty years of information technology. Library High Tech , 30 (4),557-564.

Houghton, J. and Berryman, J. (2007). Ethics and law for information practice. Libraries in the twenty-first century. S. Ferguson (Ed.). Centre for Information Studies, CSU: Wagga Wagga.

 

 

Understanding the role of technology in health information systems

My second review is of this article Understanding the role of technology in health information systems  written by Lewis, D., Hodge, N., Gamage, D & Whittaker, M.

  

The link to this article is here

This paper is a detailed study of the use of information communications technology in healthcare and focuses mainly on developing regions such as Africa, India and the Pacific. This paper addresses financial concerns and whether investment in the regions will be successful in creating a workable healthcare model. Prompted by the availability of Internet connectivity the ICT can now be introduced to the Pacific region and will be key to providing better health care management for those in isolated areas.

 A map of this region downloaded from 

 taiwandocuments.org

The authors’ concerns however, are about language differences, successful implementation of ICT and whether training will be adequate to gain the best results with the new technologies which would be provided. The study looks at the various countries in the Pacific region and considers whether the diverse systems in place can be unified by an overarching new more sophisticated system.

Consideration is given to the per capita income of the local people, training available and the level of telecommunications available; all relevant factors to the success or failure of a new service. Privacy and ethical concerns are also raised because the security of information is vital in healthcare (Houghton & Berryman, 2007). The paper also analyizes the components of the extended health information system and what benefits it will have on the lives of those in the Pacific region. The authors also point out the risk of failure and cite other developing world experience when projects such as this have failed due to lack of resources, poor management and insufficient training by clinicians. The complexity of this type of system means planning its implementation is crucial and the study is just a beginning to examine if  ICT in healthcare in this region is feasible.

 This article is a detailed study of the pros and cons involved in implementing the restructure in healthcare across the Pacific region. The authors examine all the relevant facts and cite past studies which support their claims. Although no decision has been made whether the ICT project will go ahead the study looks at many factors which will bring about success or failure in such an enormous undertaking. While the project is worthwhile and will impact favourably a period of disruption is inevitable and this is acknowledged in the study.  Social factors of the region such as language, poverty and education are considered along with the political, geographical and the infrastructure. I think this study is a well organised research paper undertaken in a timely manner to avoid undertaking a system upgrade which could fail. To consider the points for and against the project from the onset is sound business practise and the authors have researched very thoroughly so the project is carefully planned from the onset: I was impressed with their research.

 While studies such as Carr’s article IT Doesn’t Matter suggests it would be better to leave these IT developments until they are cheaper and proven cheaper and proven the fact remains that people of the Pacific region are disadvantaged and not treated equally if the technology isn’t available for them (Carr, 2003). To wait while technology becomes more affordable will not assist people in this region if the necessary infrastructure isn’t set up. Many argue too, that the use of the internet is a fundamental human right. In refuting Carr’s claim, Bannister, F. & Remenyi, D. argue that adopting new technologies in a timely manner allows progress and those who lag behind won’t be able to close the gap (Bannister & Remenyi 2005).

The report by Lewis, D., Hodge, N., Gamage, D & Whittaker, M. considers all the relevant facts to improve the lives of those living in the Pacific islands by creating huge improvements in the health service provided. Their study presents a clear picture of the risks and problems such a project can encounter, which is sensible, and shows that these can be addressed. They also consider how the project can be developed in stages thus making its introduction more manageable.  I believe such a detailed study of all the factors involved in setting up the new health initiative enables the necessary funding and planning to be put in place givingthe project greater chance of success.

References  

             Bannister, F. & Remenyi, D. (2005). Why IT continues to matter: reflections on the strategic value of IT. The Electronic Journal of Information Systems Evaluation, 8(3), 159-167. Available at: http://www.ejise.com/issue/download.html?idArticle=562

            Carr, N. (2003) “IT Doesn’t Matter”, Harvard Business Review, May, pp 41-49.

Houghton, J. and Berryman, J. (2007). Ethics and law for information practice. In Libraries in the twenty-first century. S. Ferguson (Ed.). Centre for Information Studies, CSU: Wagga Wagga. Retrieved fromhttp://www.csu.edu.au/division/library/ereserve/pdf/houghton-j.pdf

Lewis, D., Hodge, N., Gamage, D & Whittaker, M. (2011) Understanding the role of technology in health information systems. Available from the University of Queensland Health Information Systems Knowledge Hub at http://www.uq.edu.au/hishub/wp17

  

Organizational adoption of Web 2.0 technologies: An empirical analysis

  My first review is about the article Organizational adoption of Web 2.0 technologies: An empirical analysis written by Saldanha, T.J.V & Krishnan, M.S.

 This article examines the use of various Web 2.0 technologies in different industries and looks at why some industries embrace these technologies while others are more resistant to their use. Some companies see great benefits in using the more social technology to enhance employee involvement, however there is still resistance because of negative perceptions of social media. Whether Web 2.0 technologies would increase productivity or cause concerns in relation to security and privacy is a question this article explores.

 Saldanha and Krishnan’s research looks at the factors that lead companies to adopt Web 2 technologies and based on their research of case studies, empirical evidence and interviews make several hypothesises. The article suggests that when employees use these new technologies they demonstrate higher productivity and companies are advantaged by using Web 2.0 technologies in the workplace because they improve communication and collaboration. In their article they suggest large firms are more likely to use the Web 2.0 technologies more than smaller companies because Web 2 technologies are more useful to larger companies with many employees. Different products are also considered to be more suited to these new Web technologies where greater knowledge sharing benefits the business model. The authors also hypothesize that highly competitive industries are more likely to use Web 2.0 technologies because they can then keep up with competitors and business partners. The new technologies offer greater sharing of information and save money in making work practises more efficient.

Saldanha and Krishnan  claim that whether the new web based technology can be integrated easily into the systems a company is using is also a relevant factor influencing whether or not Web 2.0 applications are adopted. Companies with IT based on open standards who can incorporate Web 2.0 technologies easily are more likely to bring them into their business model. The theories put forward by the authors are tested by statistics gathered from many respondents and some of their hypotheses are supported. The authors admit however that it is difficult to prove the exact benefits of web 2.0 technologies and they readily acknowledge their research is limited to only some web 2.0 technologies. Although their research shows larger firms are adopting the newer technologies ahead of others it may only be because of their greater resources and doesn’t really prove that they are more receptive to web 2.0 technologies than their smaller counterparts. 

This clip shows how Web 2.0 technologies can be used in business:

 

The authors’ hypotheses are already dated because Web 2.0 technologies have already been hugely influential in all types of business and some of the research articles they base their claims on are up to fifteen years old. The articles cited by Saldanha and Krishnan are over a decade old in many instances and Web 2.0 technologies have become integrated in many companies : the last ten years has already heralded many changes.   Usage of all social media technologies has already become more prevalent.    Enormous change has taken place with developing web technology that to hypothesize based on facts and figures from a decade ago is not a true reflection of current trends.  Houghton and Berryman highlight the issues of privacy, security and ethics, issues which are largely ignored in the article by Saldanha and Krishnan and note the impact the digital environment has had on information sharing in a commercial world (Houghton & Berryman, 2007.p.279). I expect many companies are concerned about the repercussions of web 2.0 technologies used in the workplace without due care taken to protect privacy and security.

 

I find Saldanha and Krishnan’s findings inconclusive and the links they make as a result of their research are tenuous. According to Anderson in his article, What is Web 2.0?Ideas, technologies and implications for education, these web based technologies are essential in day to day productivity are the way forward for any organization using the Web. The idea that business can ignore these essential technologies is refuted by Anderson who illustrates how essential they have become in day to day interactions (Anderson, 2007).

  Saldanha and Krishnan’s article seems too broad in its assumptions and seeks to encompass too large a range of issues to really prove conclusively that any of the hypotheses put forward are correct. It does however highlight the issue of whether this technology is creating a further divide in the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’.  Barr highlights this divide in his book Challenges and Change and this article leads me to the conclusion if Web 2.0 technology is not adopted by these smaller companies in a timely manner it will impact on their profitability and sustainability in the future (Barr 1987). Web 2.0 technologies are the way forward for companies to advertise, interact with co-workers, share information and gather feedback from their client base.

 

References:

Anderson, P.(2007). What is Web 2.0? Ideas, technologies and implications for education. JISC Technology and Standards Watch, Feb, 2-64.

Barr,T. (1987). Challenges and Change: Australia’s Information Society, Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Houghton, J. and Berryman, J. (2007). Ethics and law for information practice. In Libraries in the twenty-first century. S. Ferguson (Ed.). Centre for Information Studies, CSU: Wagga Wagga. Retrieved from http://www.csu.edu.au/division/library/ereserve/pdf/houghton-j.pdf

Saldanha, T.J.V & Krishnan, M.S. (2012). Organizational adoption of Web 2.0 technologies: An empirical analysis, Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce, 22 (4), 301-333.

Smart Telecom and Web 2.0 Technologies, retrieved from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4LnT53G2Cs&feature=youtu.be