Reading Notes for Week 2

“Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still”

·      This article summarizes the complex nature of upgrading a major university library with information technology resources.

o   Both the benefits and the challenges of implementing, maintaining, and updating information technology resources are outlined pertaining specifically to UNLV’s library. However, I imagine that these same types of problems could arise during any major technological restructure.

o   The benefits for a major upgrade such as this are surely obvious (fast and wide-spread access to information most importantly), however the challenges are something that I think many people overlook or perhaps do not even think of and therefore need to be outlined.

§  Set-up and Storage

·      Before even getting started with the technical issues, a library has to figure out when they can set up their hardware. UNLV’s library was already open when they were installing computers and so they had to figure out how to work around replacing machines that were heavily used. Also, if a contract is not in place with a company to remove the computers, the library has to figure out what they are going to do with the outdated machines. UNLV decided to utilize their old machines in other areas around campus. Using machines that are still functioning but perhaps not well enough to be used in a research capacity is a good way for the University to alleviate some of the cost involved in implementing and upgrading their technology.

§  Cost

·      Cost is another element of information technology that is often overlooked. Obviously people realize that it’s going to cost money to purchase the hardware and software to set up, but many don’t realize that that cost extends to well after the set-up is complete. It costs money to maintain the machines, with thousand of people using the same machines day after day; they are bound to need some major maintenance (i.e. virus protection).

·      At the rate that technology is advancing, upgrading can also become a major cost factor. Patrons and students need to be able to access and run the most up-to-date software to find relevant and useful information especially in a research environment.

·      A cost that I’m sure many don’t factor into a budget is the increased cost in utilities to maintain the necessary environment to house information technology resources. Libraries need to keep their computer labs at the necessary temperatures to keep their machines working properly and to prevent them from overheating.

§  Additional problems that UNLV encountered include security costs (preventing theft of laptops or damage to the machines), and use management (at times every computer was in use with long lines of students waiting for access).

·      Is the benefit of having easily accessible information worth the challenges of installing, maintaining, and updating information technology resources? I think many would agree that yes, the benefits of having information instantly at the fingertips far outweighs the obstacles along the way. Just remember, without struggle, there cannot be growth.  J

“A Few Thoughts on the Google Book Library Project” and “European Libraries Face Problems in Digitizing”: A Reflection

While I agree wholeheartedly that preserving information for future use is extremely important, and I like the idea of having information instantly available, I do not believe that Google’s project was entirely altruistic. Charles Edward Smith seems to feel as if access to information should outweigh the fact that Google deceptively and unlawfully scanned copyrighted materials. In his article Smith states, “the successful transfer of knowledge is the task that lies before us. Any effort that responsibly furthers the task benefits all of us.” While it is true that access to knowledge would most definitely benefit all of us, I think that it was a bit of a stretch to call what Google did “responsible”. Perhaps in the beginning, when only books that were free of copyright were scanned I could agree and even admire the enormous project that Google was attempting to tackle, but what about the authors whose copyright was violated, are they benefiting from this? And the publishing companies, now that their materials are available online for free, how can they survive? I’m sure that Google spent millions of dollars on this project, how can you not assume that they will eventually charge to view their digital materials? And then what? Google will in essence have control over our access to information. Digitization is extremely expensive and being so it’s hard to stand against a powerhouse like Google, they have the resources to take on a mass digitization project of this size that libraries (as seen in the European Libraries article) simply do not have. I find it ironic that huge technical corporations are attempting to digitize the greatest works of the world without including the major libraries, which arguably have a more vested interest in the task.

A Few Thoughts on the Google Books Library Project http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/few-thoughts-google-books-library-project