Content area
Full text
* Everyday Library Technology
[T]HE MORE COMPLEX THE TECH LANDSCAPE BECOMES, THE MORE PEOPLE NEED LIBRARIANS TO HELP LEARN NEW TOOLS AND NAVIGATE OPTIONS.
Similar to many librarians, I often explore libraries I stumble upon while traveling. A few weeks ago, I stopped in Greene County Library in Stanardsville, Va., and admired the hand-painted wildlife mural in the childrens area and popup study room (a pod for one or two people that can be moved on built-in wheels). On the way out, I noticed outdoor hold pick-up lockers. Customers can scan a barcode to retrieve hold items 24/7. My first thought was, Neat! Why dont more libraries have this? My second thought was, Oh, it might be perceived as taking jobs.
Often, when new technology comes along, the specter of job loss is unsettling. But that isnt enough reason to resist innovations that could improve lives. Most patrons will appreciate being able to pick up holds anytime. Plus, tasks that can be efficiently automated free up staff to engage in more personal interactions and complex projects. (Of course, there are valid reasons for not adopting new equipment, such as affordability, maintenance, and ease of use.)
When it comes to the AI boom, there are many legitimate concerns, such as proliferation of disinformation and plagiarism. However, keeping our jobs the same neednt be one of them. Jobs must change with the times. But they can change for the better if we are proactive about guiding development in the right directions.
There are at least three main reasons why AI isnt going to replace libraries or most library jobs:
* People need and want human interaction.
* The library is a physical place to go and be.
* Librarians have expertise that AI cant replicate.
People Need People
Many people call or come into the library for human connection. Trying to get a real person on the phone for customer service has become a running joke these days-but libraries still provide that. Public libraries are still places where someone with specialized knowledge who lives in or near your neighborhood will answer the phone, even on weekends and evenings. That need isnt going away; if anything, it has increased since COVID-19 put more distance between people. The...