Week 1 Readings

In my opinion, the most interesting aspect of the assigned readings for week 1 is the relationship between the subject matter of each article. The OCLC article "Content, Not Containers" provided me with written confirmation of the library and it's increasingly important role as the place that "establishes the authenticity and provenance of content" . I certainly agree that the methods by which we receive information (books, films, newspapers, etc.) has become consolidated due to the wealth of information that digital sources provide. I wholeheartedly believe that the internet and many of the "term" items in the article have kept text and the act of gathering information by reading alive. The section that discusses the rising sales of e-books was the one tht most convinced me. The OCLC article also demonstrates to me that the act of acquiring information via technologies such and the internet and blogging have not excluded other mediums. In fact, I think that this article completely validates the importance of new information technologies. The internet and it's features keep many different ways of receiving information alive by incorporating them together. Overall, this article made me feel secure about my career choice.
The article by Clifford Lynch seems to provide an explanation of why, in such an environment and time when information doubles at an incredible rate, that being educated in both the "how to" (practical) and "why" (theoretical) aspects of information technology is mre important than ever. This article made me think extensively about my own technological education. For the longest time, I have known about t basic applications of a computer, but have never had the faintest clue about how it works. I have always known how to save a file, but I never knew why clicking on the corner of a picture on my computer screen and selecting the word that describes the action I want can accomplish the "save" action. This article, when read accompanying "Content, Not Containers", informed me of the dangers I face as a consumer of information. In short, I need to increase my "Information Technology Literacy".
The article "Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still" is equally interesting because it shows me an example of how the content of the previous two articles will directly impact my career in everyday situations. I've always realized that there is not "finish line" for technological development, but I was never so daunted about how often these changes take place. I can clearly see how all the aspects of running a library fac direct impact from new technology. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to see an example of how an academic library must constantly adapt in order to maintain it's important role. Overall these three articles serve as a perfectly valid intoduction to the problems I wil have to solve in the not-too-distant future.