Daily Thoughts 01/24/2013
This morning, I started reading The Children of the Sky by Vernor Vinge. It is science fiction. I rather enjoy the concept of aliens with a group intelligence.
I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library this morning. I also checked the displays and the gift books. I usually spend quite a bit of time on the reference desk as well every day.
The library has the computer lab open today from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This is the second part of the AP Impact Story.
Practically Human Can Smart Machines Do Your Job
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-01-24/practically-human-can-smart-machines-do-your-job
This is a quote from this article. It is affecting libraries right now.
"North Carolina State University this month introduced a high-tech library where robots — "bookBots" — retrieve books when students request them, instead of humans. The library's 1.5 million books are no longer displayed on shelves; they're kept in 18,000 metal bins that require one-ninth the space."
"Four years ago, the Darien, Conn., public library bought self-service check-out machines from 3M Co. Now, with customers scanning books themselves, the library is processing more books than ever while shaving 15 percent from staff hours by using fewer part-time workers."
This articles also points out that a part of this is because of Big Data which is starting to become more than just big business, it is also moving into small business. It also describes the trend towards constant entrepreneurship which is not easy for most people.
How Small Businesses are Innovating With Big Data
http://businessonmain.msn.com/browseresources/articles/inventingandnewideas.aspx?cp-documentid=30009963#fbid=nKSp45cV3aq
There is another aspect to this article. Big Data commoditizes personal information and makes everything people do into a profit making opportunity. It also invades personal privacy in the sense that you have value and not just the government wants your personal information, but also corporations.
I put the book, The sorcerers and their apprentices : how the digital magicians of the MIT Media Lab are creating the innovative technologies that will transform our lives by Frank Moss on hold.
On the way home, I started reading the book, Wait, The Art and Science of Delay by Frank Portnoy. It has a very eclectic feel to it and seems to draw from a wide variety of sources: sports, psychology, day trading, telecommunications, and other fields. Some people might find it a bit too eclectic. The basic premise is that is best to wait to make a decision in many circumstances. It is very much a statement against off the cuff decisions.
I rather like this image:
What People Think Is Important for Libraries to Offer
http://libraries.pewinternet.org/files/2013/01/pew-internet-2013-01-22-lib-services-4-02.jpg
I agree with it.
This is image is part of Part 4: What People Want from Their Libraries.
http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/part-4-what-people-want-from-their-libraries/
Web Bits
Library Services in the Digital Age
http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/library-services/
No comments:
Post a Comment