Week 1 Reading

J. Vaughan, Lied Library-
I think this particular essay is extremely relevant to the issues we will be encountering once we ourselves enter into the Library field.  As changes take place and technologies continue to improve and reach new avenues to provide greater access, then Library staff must be moving along with the trends.  The author was able to show in great detail what kinds of maintaince and upgrade along with further technical planning and arrangements had to be made in a short amount of time after opening, at the time, an instituation current with the time.
The article also successfully shed light on the need for library staff to be well informed and knowledgeable of the systems requirements and the ability to plan, execute, and troubleshoot all matters concerning the technological infrastructure they laid in place with the construction of the new facility.  
Vaughan's narrative addresses all the steps the library has taken to make sure it continues to assist its consumers in being able to access content and information.  It also gives outsiders more insight into issues that had arisen, which in hopes for their own facility, they might  be able to anticipate and plan for future maintenance and change. 

Clifford Lynch- “Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy"
Vaughan's essay and report acts as support and evidence that Lynch makes a strong argument for what he calls Information Technology Literacy.  The System administrators and technicians that worked for Lied Library needed to have a knowledge of the technical systems they were installing but also how they worked and how the programing and software would best meet the needs of the institutional.  I think its reasonable for Lynch to argue for the need for professionals in the information industry to have extensive knowledge when it comes to literacy and understanding of information technology.  Now, perhaps his expectation for high literacy at this point is a little unrealistic, but he does address an important issue.  The people that are providing access of information to their consumers, need to be educated and up to date, as well as possible, so that they can continue to purchase, upgrade, and plan for future technologies.  From Vaughan's article, the reader is never in doubt about the rapid and continuous advancements that take place in a relatively short amount of time in the information industry.


OCLC Report- 2004 Information Format Trends:
As with the other two articles, this report follows the theme of pointing out the rapid and ever changes was in which consumers are accessing their information.  Even my own experience, I have seen the changes taking place within a matter of years.  I graduated from undergrad only two years ago.  During my time at the university, we had access to blackboard, but the functions of electronic drop boxes for assignments and discussion boards were not utilized by the majority of users.  Coming to Pitt, and in the program of information sciences, we cannot avoid it.  The availability to view entire lectures online is a completely new context in which to receive traditional classroom instruction.  This article is challenging the librarian, and the institution to move along with this trend.  And considering it was published five years ago, it is spot on with its recommendation that librarians move away from being traditional keepers of information.  As format of content and information continues to change, in order to reach the needs of their consumers, libraries will be required to move with the changes taking place.