[Web4lib] Demise of IT?

[Andrew]

Considering where IT was 20 years ago, where we are today and then 
projecting out 20 years from now, I can safely predict that any 
predictions for 20 years from now are probably going to be wrong. Having 
said that, I would guess that the changes in technology and how we 
deliver information 20 years from now are going to be so radically 
different than how it is done today that comparing the two will be 
pointless. Consider the concept of the educational institution and how 
things like distance learning, virtual classrooms, telecommuting, and 
remote access to information resources and systems are transforming the 
idea of a college or university from a physical location into something 
larger and more far-flung that exists far outside the physical 
boundaries of the campus. In such an environment, the concept of 
"in-house" becomes less and less relevant. I'm sure the Web4Libbers of 
2028 will still be debating the relative merits of technology support, 
how it's provided, who manages it  and whether our information portals 
are better or worse than those provided by AmaGooHooSoft. But I wonder 
whether the concept of "in-house" versus "outsourced" will even be 
understood as we discuss it today.

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI


Jennifer Heise wrote:
> A speaker at a conference I attended yesterday appeared to be suggesting
> that in 20 years, no non-profit institution (including colleges) would have
> in-house IT staff, but that it would all be outsourced (either to companies
> or consortia).  I found this a profoundly disturbing idea, as I see
> institutions without in-house IT support going downhill in terms of
> productivity and effect. But what do others think?
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