Blog Assignment #1, 5/20

The two articles to be summarized this week are Kochtanel and Matthews (2002), Ch. 1. The evolution of LIS and enabling technologies, in Library Information Systems, and Arnold Hirshon (2008). Environmental scan: a report on trends and technologies affecting libraries.

The Kochtanel and Matthews article focuses on two areas: the origins and evolution of library information systems, and how it can be used in the present for library applications. Particularly, it described the change in computer systems (both as they were applied to library and information system purposes, and in general) from centralized machines, through networking and finally with a greater emphasis on the end user. It explained how both technological and organizational developments spurred this change. One thing that stood out to me was the increasing role of the Web as a means to tie together the various sources of information, which has the advantage of increased accessibility. This also has the effect of allowing for the decentralizion of that information.

The Hirshon article, in contrast, analyzes current trends in order to make predictions about the immediate future. It takes a look at the way in which the current generation views information technology, and what expectations this gives them as a result. Among other examples, it examines the increase in user-generated content (such as wikis and other models). I learned of the efforts of such sites (especially Wikipedia) both to a) increase the accuracy and reliability of their articles over time (which would increase their potential use as a reference source) and b) to serve as a source of revenue.