Competency H: Introduction
Demonstrate proficiency in identifying, using, and evaluating current and emerging information and communication technologies;
Technology is always evolving, and in order to stay relevant in today’s world, information science professionals must evolve with it. As such, being technologically literate and discerning about where and when new technologies should be adopted can mean the difference between discovering a new mode of patron engagement or falling prey to an expensive failed investment.
Identify: to be able to recognize useful technologies that can fulfill the needs of the patron or organization.
Use: to employ the technology effectively and achieve the desired result without requiring excess time, effort, or resources.
Evaluate: to determine an accurate return-on-investment of a technology based on efficiency, ease-of-use, cost, and other relevant criteria.
In our Data Mining course, we learned both the theoretical and practical applications of data mining software, as well as ethical concerns that must be accounted for as part of the data mining process. To practice various data-mining techniques, we were assigned several different exercises that used RapidMiner, a data mining and machine learning software. One such assignment was running a statistical analysis on a pre-existing set of data on the frequency of bird-collision related flight delays or cancellations. While not directly applicable to library science, I can certainly see myself using this software to perform complicated statistical analyses in the future.
With libraries varying greatly in size, personnel, and budget, identifying an effective and affordable project management software can make a deep difference in staff productivity. So, the class was tasked with evaluating a project management software of our choice. I chose Asana’s Trello, a browser-based program that originated for managing software development but has become a general organization program with many different uses. Trello was appraised by the following criteria: structure, functionality, and pricing. The structure section described how the program organizes data, the functionality section explored how useful and simple it is to learn, and the pricing section showed how much the program costs for organizations of various sizes. In the end, I concluded that Trello is best for small organizations and individuals, but that it’s flexibility and ease of use make it a helpful addition to any project manager’s toolbox.
Application and Conclusion
Hesitance towards adopting new technology is a problem that I have encountered often working in both the public and private spheres. Sometimes this is due to an aging workforce, a traditionalist company culture, or even due to poor experiences with investing in technology in the past. In order to ensure buy-in of both employees and clients, one must choose communication and information technologies that will fit the skillset of the intended audience, and be helpful enough to be worth the initial investment in training and goodwill.