As artificial intelligence continues to grow by leaps and bounds, how is AI technology manifesting itself in our public, academic, and school libraries? AI-Powered Patron Assistance Library digital services contain an amalgam of third-party e-media collections and software solutions, which we try to present as a unified library experience. While libraries have experimented (and continue to experiment) The post How Can AI Be Used in Libraries? appeared first on The Digital Librarian ..read more

As we head into 2023, I wanted to take some time to share a few of the library technology trends that I see taking shape. Artificial Intelligence is Impacting Our Libraries While some applications of AI in libraries may be bleeding edge, the technology is already making its impact felt, particularly in the areas of The post Library Tech Trends for 2023 appeared first on The Digital Librarian ..read more

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries have explored the virtualization of programs and services, including their outreach efforts. In this clip from Computers in Libraries Connect 2022, I discuss some of the advantages virtual outreach presents over traditional library outreach. Interested in further exploring the topic of virtual outreach? Check out this post on Connecting with The post The Advantages of Virtual Outreach for Libraries appeared first on The Digital Librarian ..read more

Libraries engage in outreach for a number of reasons, key among them are to raise the public’s awareness of the library, connect with community partners, and to bring library services to the underserved. Traditional library outreach is complicated enough, however virtual outreach brings a unique set of challenges that requires a nuanced approach. While I The post Library Virtual Outreach: Connecting with Your Target Audience appeared first on The Digital Librarian ..read more

Change can bring uncertainty, and, as the last few years have demonstrated, uncertainty can be extremely uncomfortable both for individuals and organizations! While technological change is constant and its impact on libraries can seem difficult to predict, it does follow a familiar route that I’ve dubbed “The Cycle of Emerging Tech in Libraries”. Let’s have The post The Cycle of Emerging Tech in Libraries appeared first on The Digital Librarian ..read more

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a steady rise in telehealth use. By way of example; March 2020 saw telehealth visits increase by 154% compared to March 2019! While more recently, telehealth usage has decreased from all-time highs, it remains a convenient, and sometimes necessary option in rural communities where access to health care and The post Providing Access to Telehealth Through the Public Library appeared first on The Digital Librarian ..read more

Too often, high tech is synonymous with high cost, discouraging adoption by libraries with limited budgets. In this clip from Computers in Libraries 2022, I demonstrate how a little creativity can allow your library to still engage with an “expensive” technology without breaking the bank! Seeking a speaker for your library or organization? In need of a The post How to Affordably Engage with Expensive Technologies at Your Library appeared first on The Digital Librarian ..read more

A just-released Washington Post-Schar School Tech Survey reveals Americans are deeply suspicious of Big Tech, even as they engage in heavy use of their products.  Some key findings: 74% find targeted ads to be invasive. 73% view Big Tech’s data collection used for targeted ads as “an unjustified use of people’s private information”. Just 10% The post Survey Reveals Growing Distrust of Social Media appeared first on The Digital Librarian ..read more

How can libraries best serve our patrons in the face of COVID-19 disruption? I discuss the pivotal and technology-driven role libraries play in times of accelerated social change in this short clip from Internet Librarian Connect 2021. Seeking a speaker for your library or organization? In need of a professional development webinar? Let’s talk! Need a roadmap The post How Can Libraries Mitigate Social Disruption? appeared first on The Digital Librarian ..read more

TikTok is Extremely Popular! Social media platform TikTok has seen tremendous expansion in the United States, growing almost 800% between January 2018 and June 2020, to approximately 100 million users! TikTok is particularly popular among young people, with Pew Research indicating roughly 50% of 18-29 year olds use the service. Given its popularity, libraries are The post Using TikTok in the Library: A Resource List appeared first on The Digital Librarian ..read more