Libraries Introducing Public to New Technology

A market research firm released a study on best practices in IT decision-making at major U.S. public libraries, including the Columbus Metropolitan Library. The key findings are outlined in this report from GovTech.net. They include:

• Libraries believe they can negotiate for subscription vendors individually as well as (or better than) a consortium. Public libraries lag academic libraries in consortium participation. The study recommends that more research is required to determine whether these perceptions are true.
  
• Public libraries are more advanced than small and medium-sized academic libraries in digitization projects.
• Electronic books are starting to make an impact on public library services.

With the public's appetite for Internet and database access appearing to be insatiable, libraries increasingly view themselves as places to introduce new technology. This is driven by an unusual combination of factors: free public Internet access combined with knowledgable tutors.