Library Technology Trends: Big Shift, Wifi Saturation, Laptops

Florida-based Free Range Librarian Karen Schneider wrote a summary of library technology trends when she returned from ALA Mid-winter conference in San Diego.  Karen's trends refer mostly to academic and public libraries.

• The Big Shift:  ebooks and streaming (rather than DVDs) is catching on faster than anticipated; moving seldom-used materials to off-site facilities.  Regional repositories are a far better investment than compact shelving.
• Wifi saturation: more and more people carry multiple wifi-enabled devices and increasingly depend on access to the Internet.  
• Laptops: most college Freshmen now have laptop computers and need wifi, power, and security. There is a reduced need for desktop computers in academic (and public libraries in affluent communities).

Horizon Report 2011 - Top Technology Trends in Higher Education

The 2011 Horizons Report is out. Each year, the Horizon Report introduces six emerging technologies or practices that are likely to enter mainstream use within the next five years.

It is 40 pages. Once you've read the report -- or the 6-page summary-- share it with friends and discuss these technology trends.

• Executive Summary (key trends, critical challenges, technology to watch, and the Horizon Project)
  
• Electronic books, mobiles:  Time-to-Adoption: <1 year
• Augmented reality, game-based learning:  Time-to-Adoption: 2-3 years
• Gesture-based computing, learning analytics:  Time-to-Adoption: 4-5 years

The report is produced by the New Media Consortium and EDUCAUSE.

Slideshare presentation of Horizons Report:

http://www.slideshare.net/dreig/2011-horizonreport

Who to share with?  School leadership, library and technology teams, science teachers and students.  Share the link, but also print a few copies to hand to colleagues, students, board members, book and computer clubs. This report focuses on higher education trends, so consider developing your organization's own set of trends.