Information Technology Forecasting

ForecastingForecasting

Forecasting of Information Technology Forecasting of Information Technology Tools in LibrariesTools in Libraries

Albert Franklin Bakasara KazoobaAlbert Franklin Bakasara Kazooba

Technology Forecasting Technology Forecasting

Librarian

Tools

Customers

Why Bother?Why Bother?When is he getting

off that new

computer? OMG!

This thing is slowI Can’t stand them! All they do is stay on that computer all day – when do they read?

I feel your pain!

Principles involved in Principles involved in ForecastingForecasting

Understanding your customers/usersUnderstanding your customers/users Keeping abreast of new technology trendsKeeping abreast of new technology trends Selecting those technology tools/software Selecting those technology tools/software

that best fits your customer needs – you that best fits your customer needs – you simply can’t follow everythingsimply can’t follow everything

Understanding the library Understanding the library customer/usercustomer/user

Conducting SurveysConducting Surveys Customer Frequently Asked QuestionsCustomer Frequently Asked Questions Other Internal StatisticsOther Internal Statistics

Conducting SurveysConducting Surveys

Clearly define goalClearly define goals s of the surveyof the survey Select a representative sampleSelect a representative sample Choose a simple interview methodologyChoose a simple interview methodology Create a simple easy-to-use Create a simple easy-to-use

questionnairequestionnaire

Customer FAQsCustomer FAQs

Most reference desks keep detailed Most reference desks keep detailed statistics on what kind of questions statistics on what kind of questions customers/users frequently ask. These customers/users frequently ask. These FAQs are a useful gauge that can be used FAQs are a useful gauge that can be used to measure the ability of some technology to measure the ability of some technology tools/software.tools/software.

Internal StatisticsInternal Statistics

Internal statistics – like those kept in accounting, Internal statistics – like those kept in accounting, circulation, acquisition, and other departments, circulation, acquisition, and other departments, could be evaluated to measure customer could be evaluated to measure customer abilities. For example, high reference desk abilities. For example, high reference desk questions about a relatively easy-to-use library questions about a relatively easy-to-use library feature on an existing ILS system, would be an feature on an existing ILS system, would be an indication that maybe, the customers will not be indication that maybe, the customers will not be able to use a newer sophisticated upgrade – able to use a newer sophisticated upgrade – unless, its one designed to solve the problems unless, its one designed to solve the problems they (customers/users) are currently facing.they (customers/users) are currently facing.

Keep abreast of new Keep abreast of new technologytechnology

Ah excuse me, do you have an IPod docking station in this library?

Keeping abreast of new Keeping abreast of new technology trendstechnology trends

Continuing education for librarians Continuing education for librarians Technology fairs/shows Technology fairs/shows Reading industry and professional Reading industry and professional

magazines magazines

Continuing Education Continuing Education Library professionals must constantly keep Library professionals must constantly keep

upgrading their skills to keep up with upgrading their skills to keep up with current service delivery trends/tools in the current service delivery trends/tools in the in professionin profession

Some states, the continuing education Some states, the continuing education component is tied in with their certification component is tied in with their certification requirementsrequirements

In Maryland, library professionals are In Maryland, library professionals are required to have an equivalent of 9 college required to have an equivalent of 9 college credits every 5 yearscredits every 5 years

Technology Fairs/ShowsTechnology Fairs/Shows

Library professionals should be Library professionals should be encouraged to attend technology encouraged to attend technology fairs/shows to get a glimpse of upcoming fairs/shows to get a glimpse of upcoming software/toolssoftware/tools

Directly discuss software/tools issues Directly discuss software/tools issues directly with knowledgeable vendor directly with knowledgeable vendor representatives representatives

Compare products Compare products

Reading Library LiteratureReading Library Literature

Reading technology software/tools related Reading technology software/tools related articles in magazines like library journal, articles in magazines like library journal, American libraries, Children and Libraries, American libraries, Children and Libraries, Computers in Libraries, and so many Computers in Libraries, and so many othersothers

Visiting vendor websites and consumer Visiting vendor websites and consumer reportsreports

Selecting the Technology Selecting the Technology Tools/SoftwareTools/Software

The mission of library organizationThe mission of library organization The budgetThe budget The technical abilities of the IT The technical abilities of the IT

Department Department

The Mission of Library The Mission of Library OrganizationOrganization

Defines the library’s reason for existenceDefines the library’s reason for existence Scope of its servicesScope of its services CustomersCustomers

BudgetBudget

Funding:Funding: How much money does the library have?How much money does the library have? How much can it justifiably spend on this How much can it justifiably spend on this

software/tool?software/tool?

Cost-benefit analysis:Cost-benefit analysis: What are the benefits?What are the benefits? Is this the most cost effective way to Is this the most cost effective way to

acquire this particular software/tool? acquire this particular software/tool?

Software-As-A-Service (SaaS)Software-As-A-Service (SaaS) Lower up-front capital investment in hardware Lower up-front capital investment in hardware

and softwareand software Service can be up without the need to add on a Service can be up without the need to add on a

server or any other internal infrastructure server or any other internal infrastructure upgradesupgrades

Pay-as-you-go pricing allows quick roll-out and a Pay-as-you-go pricing allows quick roll-out and a streamlined ROI of information processstreamlined ROI of information process

Maintenance costs are eliminated, allowing the Maintenance costs are eliminated, allowing the IT department to focus energy and time IT department to focus energy and time elsewhereelsewhere

Updates to the software (and patches) occur Updates to the software (and patches) occur without disrupting the servicewithout disrupting the service

SummarySummary In summary, libraries can and should strive to keep up In summary, libraries can and should strive to keep up

with the new technologies and trends. Yes, budgetary with the new technologies and trends. Yes, budgetary constraints, the inability to predict the lifespan of some constraints, the inability to predict the lifespan of some these tools and trends, but all things considered, the these tools and trends, but all things considered, the benefits of customer service improvements and keeping benefits of customer service improvements and keeping the library profession relevant to today’s information the library profession relevant to today’s information seeker are worth the investment.seeker are worth the investment.

In the March 2009 issue of the American library In the March 2009 issue of the American library Magazine, Keith Michael Fiels, observes that “times may Magazine, Keith Michael Fiels, observes that “times may be tough – and getting tougher – but we do have a new be tough – and getting tougher – but we do have a new set of tools to help us do the job. So let’s all roll our set of tools to help us do the job. So let’s all roll our sleeves up, we’ve got libraries to save”. sleeves up, we’ve got libraries to save”.

ResourcesResourcesReferences:References:

St. Clair, Guy (2008). "Software-as-a-Service (SAAS): Put the Focus on the St. Clair, Guy (2008). "Software-as-a-Service (SAAS): Put the Focus on the KM/Knowledge Service Core Function," SMR International. URL: KM/Knowledge Service Core Function," SMR International. URL: http://www.smr-knowledge.com/articles/EOS SaaS White Paper 2008.pdf http://www.smr-knowledge.com/articles/EOS SaaS White Paper 2008.pdf (accessed 1/4/2009). (accessed 1/4/2009).

Lynn Jurewicz and Todd Cutler ‘High Tech High Touch: Library Customer Lynn Jurewicz and Todd Cutler ‘High Tech High Touch: Library Customer through Technology’ ALA library seriesthrough Technology’ ALA library series

Keith Michael Fiels, American Library Magazine; March 2009Keith Michael Fiels, American Library Magazine; March 2009RSS Feeds monitored: RSS Feeds monitored:

Technology forecast to pull world from recession - vnunet.com Technology forecast to pull world from recession - vnunet.com Library TechnologyLibrary Technology

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Questions?Questions?

Thank you!Thank you!