Technology is NOT threatening a librarians role

For the most part, technology is not threatening a librarian’s role however it is transforming the way they interact with their patrons. Librarian’s now hold a more instructional role with their patrons.  They are responsible for helping their users use all the resources now available to them. Rather than fearing technology, we should be leaders in embracing it to better the needs of the communities we serve.

Librarians going beyond the library

In another course, I had to contact a library and receive information through email, chat, and the telephone. Librarians are no longer just responsible for working with books, but have had to change the role they have within the library and with their user by utilizing technology. A user no longer needs to directly go to a library to meet their informational needs but can contact a librarian and receive information in the comfort of their own home. Technology appears to be making tasks easier for the user and changing the role of the librarian.

Libraries entering technological age

It is essential for the library to stay up to date and provide easy access to these necessary technologies in order to appease their patrons. Libraries are forced to change, as technology changes. It is suggested that as books and information are becoming more and more digital, libraries are expected to shift more toward digital media. Mixed feelings have been expressed concerning the emergence of these changes, such as the implementation of self-service kiosks.


This brings rise to the question: are self-service kiosks going to replace the roles that librarians have within the library? or does this leave them with time for them to help the patron with other tasks?

Sums it up

One of my favorite quotes from an article:

Communities need people who can reflect, question, and be active in order to “enrich human life and encourage the thriving of civil society”(Burgess,2010).

 The most important point the article this quote is in is that a library is not made up by these technologies (cellphone,computers,etc) , but a library exists wherever a well-informed librarian is present.

Libraries changing with technology

In the article Using technology to enhance a library as place: it's exciting to visit libraries that have a strong spirit of engagement with their patrons, the author, M. Breeding discussed how technology can be used to a librarian’s advantage. It could free up their time so they could perform other tasks. Libraries are being forced to change with the changes that occur in technology in order to please their patrons. For some, the library is the only place where a patron has access to the internet.  

Librarians should use technology to their advantage

In order to allow technology to enter into this field without harming librarianship, they need to remember that they are there to assist the community and uphold the core values that are apart of our profession. Librarians need to question new technologies and make sure that they tie in with the values we promote, that they assist the community and don’t undermine a librarian’s position.

Is technology threatening a librarian's role??

A major concern that is taking place within the library profession is the prevalence that technology has for both the patron and the librarian. Is technology threatening the existence of the library profession or is it adding to the role that librarians play?