Library and Information Technology

Change is inevitable and the library and information industry is not immune to it. I understand why you think that libraries will disappear and how they are no longer needed. We all have our own ideas of things and if you are willing to listen then I would like to share some reasons why I chose to explore this field.

First, the use and function of libraries are now contemporized and are different from past expectations. I also used to think that libraries are limited to buildings that store and lend books, but libraries play a more purposeful role in communities and the information industry. It is true that the well-known functions of libraries are to collect, organize, and provide access to books (Mohawk), but there are other materials and services that can meet the informational needs of library users in the community. Contemporary libraries reflect, adapt, and cater to the changing needs and interests of the user groups in the communities that they serve. Libraries are now adapting and catering to the need for physical space that are used for recreational, hobby, and leisure pursuits. Libraries are moving away from their quiet and institutional images and transitioning into busy communal hubs with innovative programming. The rise of technology and digitization, library collections are expanding from paper format to electronic format. This adaptation to the changing digital demands in society’s informational needs ensures the presence of the library and information technician career (Mohawk).

Secondly, there are many different types of libraries so when I complete my library and information technician courses, I will have different options for where I want to serve. Where information services are needed, libraries are necessary establishments, so the field has a low chance of disappearing. Libraries can be public, school, college, university, corporate, research, medical, legal, cultural and government (Mohawk). This gives the field of library and information technology a broad area of interest to cover for staff and clients. Alongside their transition into innovative services, libraries offer varying resources that exist in different formats that are offered in inventive and creative ways. Despite having different clientele and collections of resources, every library operates to provide three broad functional services. Every library operates to provide technical, user, and administrative services (Mohawk).

Thirdly, under the three broad functional services in the library and information industry, library and information technicians have many opportunities to explore different services that help develop skills, build character, and practice professional responsibilities. Technical services do not involve direct contact with library users. Staff that are working in the technical services area of the industry are usually involved in acquiring, processing, organizing, and maintaining/preserving collections and print, non-print, and electronic resources. Some libraries even consider the computer systems and information technology department under the technical services department (Mohawk). User services involve direct contact with library users which include circulating materials, assisting in the interpretation and use of print, audio-visual, and electronic resources, answering information and recommending material according to requests, and delivering library programs (Mohawk). Administrative services involve planning and providing the structure that guide other services. Management, finance, personnel, and maintenance of the physical library establishment are functions that administrative services perform to support the operations of a library (Mohawk).

Fourthly, the numerous services, tasks, and responsibilities involved in the industry urges a desire to pursue social and professional growth. The library and information industry is supported by many professional associations, groups, and organizations that provide up-to-date information about changes in the field, continuing education opportunities, and discussion forums that tackle key issues that advocate for the profession. These professional associations that support library activities exist at the international, national, provincial, regional, and local levels. In Canada alone, 100 library associations exist (Mohawk). With the presence of these professional associations, networking, professional connections, and professional development are responses that I could take to further pursue social and professional development.

Lastly, a library and information technician’s task involves more than sitting at a desk and answering questions which makes it a career that is necessary in the industry. Library technicians understand and perform order searching, verification and processing, basic cataloguing, and catalogue maintenance, indexing special collections, database design, creation and maintenance, serial management functions, circulation, inter-lending and document supply, basic reference services, information retrieval, preparation of resource lists, guides, finding aids, and delivering programs (Mohawk). The role of library and information technicians, much like other careers, expand and evolve according to the demands of society. Since the library and information industry can meet the informational demands of society, it means that the future of a career as a library and information technician is bright.

Works Cited

Mohawk College. "Lecture 1 – Contemporary Libraries", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 3 – Types of Libraries", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 4 – Professional Responsibility", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 5 – Library Materials Pt. I", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 6 – Library Materials Pt. II", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 9 – Library and Information - Pt. I", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 10 – Library and Information - Pt. II", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.