The Future summary

[Helfrich, Gair]

At the end of July I asked list members to consider what the future
might bring. My thanks go to Genny Engel, Linda Arret, Alain
Vaillancourt, Michael McCulley, Heinrich Kuhn, J.P. Knight, Edward Wigg,
Michele Hamsphire, Florence Paisey, Charles Gimon, David King, Bill
Drew, Jennifer Heise, Thomas Dowling and George Porter. (I think that's
everyone; if I missed anyone, my apologies and thanks!) All their
replies went to the list so if you followed the thread this is old news.
Below is loosely categorized brief summary of the points that were made:

Technology:
*Wireless (x2) 
*RFID and/or other tracking technologies(x3)(Libraries need to be aware
of RFID backlash.)
*RFID use rises then drops
*Self-checkout
*Supporting flash drives, etc.
*Wearable computers become commonplace and affordable; libraries serve
as access points 	for the disadvantaged that can't/won't/ buy the
technology and/or for specialist 	tasks. 
*Alternative (non-MS) operating systems (Linux) 
*Triple/multiple monitors (generated much discussion, pro and con)

Searching/Catalogs:
*Federated Search
*Content management/database drive website
*Increasing kinds of software available for public
*Cooperative projects with local/regional/statewide agencies (x2)
*Browsers Become Applications
*Information "Commons" come to all types of libraries (portals anyone?)
*Integrated Library Systems become more like the "Internet/WWW" (XML
et.al.)
*Enriched content in library catalogs (x2)
*Enriched cataloging of articles 
*Linking catalogs to other bibliographic databases
*Documenting free &/or Open Access journals in the catalog
*Documenting aggregator journal coverage in the catalog
*Cataloging free online books (UC Press, National Academy Press, Baen,
	etc.)
*Implementing OpenURL linking services to leverage access to the free
and fee journals through A&I databases
*More use of unicode
*Integration between information about items in libraries and items in
open internet 	archives
*Google becomes subscription bases
*Documenting free &/or Open Access journals in the catalog
*Documenting aggregator journal coverage in the catalog
*Cataloging free online books (UC Press, National Academy Press, Baen,
	etc.)
*Implementing OpenURL linking services to leverage access to the free
and fee journals 	through A&I databases

Services:
*Live Reference continues growth and integration as a "basic" service of
libraries
*Library Web sites becomes more "bricks and clicks" portals (serving
both Online and in-	house clients)
*Non-traditional ILL
*Customizing/aggregating services and/or linking our services.

Miscellaneous:
*Development of unified site to manage user ids and passwords. Perhaps
something the 	library can provide?
*Less interest in preservation of items printed on acid paper
*The number of users who request material that's not written in one of
their 3 most favorite languages drops.
*More digitization of existing paper resources. Need to examine
copyright issues as books 	may be illegally scanned by "book
napsters".  Potential for RIAA or MPAA pressuring 	libraries as a
result. 
*Promotion of librarians, their competence and knowledge.
*Email alerts to patrons (i.e. as Borders/Barnes& Noble do; should be
noted there was 	disagreement on this as well
*Libraries need to design/offer content for handheld devices.

Also take a look at the following articles/links:

1.) Born with the Chip
By Stephen Abram & Judy Luther 

"The next generation will profoundly impact both library service and the
culture within the profession"

at:
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA411572?display=searchResults&stt
=001&text=abram

2.) http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/news/ipods_0704.html

3. 
http://www.libraryjournal.com/index.asp?layout=3DarticlePrint&articleID=
3D=CA323336

Again, many thanks to everyone,
Gair
__________

Gair Helfrich
Network Services & Computer Services Manager
Atlantic County Library
40 Farragut Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
609-625-2776 ext. 6313  Fax: 609-625-8143
ghelfrich at acmail.aclink.org