Management of RFID in Libraries
While I could see many potential benefits for RFID in libraries, there are many obvious concerns as well.
-Given that they are not designed for library needs, are they suitable for libraries? In my opinion, they will be helpful in libraries. However, the users may see the benefits most while the staff may see them more as technical pains in the rears as they try and stuff a square peg in a round hole.
-Are library jobs at stake? I don't think so. This is a technology that will not replace librarians. If anything we will see more library positions requiring degrees as librarian jobs become more specific such as reference librarians, children's librarians, etc rather than just general circ. staff.
-Is it going to be obsolete in a few years? That is hard to predict of course. However, my library adopted barcodes in 1994 and at the moment there are no signs of switching over. 15 to 20 years is a long time for computing technology and if the RFID can last that long then I think it is a good advancement. Another aspect to consider is, as the article brought up, some library material must last for decades, how many times can these items go through these technological changes before they start to wear out?
Computer Networks: Wikis and YouTube Video
It is difficult to discuss encyclopedia articles apart from "did understand/didn't understand." The Computer Network article was easier to understand than the Local Area Network one. This was a reverse situations though for computer terms, usually I am used to hearing the acronym and not knowing what it stands for but in this case I've heard of local area networks before but not LANs. Each reading had it's advantages and disadvantages. The video was very simple but supplied some information that the others did not. Computer Network was quite easy to read and helped me to "visualise" networks in a way that made them understandable. LAN was interesting in its description of a struggling technology that I pretty much take for granted.
Hi, Would you think I'm in the dark ages if I say that there are libraries here that are now (as we speak) implementing the barcode as part of its upgrades. Yep! I'm not worried about RFID and the security issues, by the time I'm given the ok for it all the bugs would have been hammered out.
ReplyDeleteWell, that brings up another very good point. While RFID (and barcodes) are very convenient, they are not necessarily needed. In libraries, it is important to keep up with the rapidly evolving technologies that our society adopts while realizing that that doesn't necessarily mean we need to adopt them all ourselves. It makes me wonder; in our current society, is necessity still the mother of all invention or is it convenience? Is it not necessarily easy to tell the difference sometimes?
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion is that users will probably see the most benefits from RFID tagging in the user system. I have also had the experience of provided RFID tags onto books and I can tell you that it is a pain!!! :)