Evaluating New Technologies

As we move forward with our process in developing new skills, I am thinking about how best to evaluate new technologies. Advice suggests we shouldn’t get overly enamored without first thinking about how that new technology applies to what we hope to achieve. Advice also suggests we need to test new technologies to see how well they do the job. I think this is interesting.  New technologies are developed at a fast rate – and what is already available is overwhelming in numbers and scope. The way we do things is changing at a fast rate. I would like us to define criteria for evaluation or define reliable resources that can help us evaluate new tools and applications. We need to clearly understand what it is the student or faculty member is hoping to achieve – in addition to advising and recommending traditional resources from our collections – we are adding a new layer – we need to understand the application. I really like the website Bamboo Dirt – the main page offers “I need a digital research tool to….” – I think this is a great approach. But when somebody wants to start blogging – and the three main blogging tools out there – Blogger, Wordpress and Tumblr – it becomes a more detailed evaluation to decide which is going to work better. I just read somewhere that Google searches on Tumblr have now surpassed other blogs. Well, if having your site discoverable is of most importance – then this might help decide to go with Tumblr.

Librarians are comfortable in this environment – our service model has always focused on helping folks find what they need. It was reassuring to me to read the statement agreed upon by the American Association of University Professors stating that librarians continue to serve a vital role in helping faculty and students – we advise and assist in scholarly pursuit. Forgive this rambling post – stream of thought very early this morning.

Nancy Friedland

Author: Nancy Friedland

Nancy Friedland is the Librarian for Film Studies and Performing Arts. She began work at Columbia in 1995 as the Assistant Undergraduate Librarian. By 1996, she was tasked with helping to develop the Butler Media Collection, Butler Media Center and related services. She continues to serve as the primary selector for the Butler Media Collection and as the liaison to students and faculty in the School of the Arts. She is currently President of Theatre Library Association. She is also a Visiting Associate Professor at the Pratt Institute School of Information and Library Science and the Palmer School of Library and Information Science. Her personal research interests include costume design for film and theatre, New York City history, Yiddish theatre and digital humanities and the performing arts. Her focus for the Morningside Project is St. Luke’s Hospital.