“The technology you use impresses no one. The experience you create with it is everything.”

Sean Gerety

Library operations and services today have been transformed by digital technology, where a large part of library content and service is delivered through the Web. (Shih & Holmes-Wong, 2018) Boundaries of library systems and services have become less discernible. Today’s information professional is called on to be adept at these new, and particularly digital technologies.

“The digital library goes by many names, but involves information products and services that are organized, described, delivered, and preserved through technology.” (Gregory & Rudersdorf, 2018, p.120) According to Gregory & Rudersdorf, the digital librarian’s vital roles include describer, collector, educator, copyright advisor, manager, negotiator, researcher, and technologist. “Most information organizations operating in the United States today interact with their audiences in one digital way or another.” (Gregory & Rudersdorf, 2018, p.127)

Info 246 - Web Frameworks with Bootstrap

This class taught me how to use the Bootstrap Web Framework to create customized and responsive web site content for mobile devices and desktops. The course covered the HTML and CSS needed to use Bootstrap effectively.

I can demonstrate an understanding of various classes that are used to implement a web site with Bootstrap. I also learned how to analyze the requirements of a computer web application and, using Bootstrap, implement the steps needed for a correct solution.

The assignments consisted of LinkedIn Learning lessons, discussions, quizzes, and ultimately the creation of a Bootstrap enabled website.

Info 281 - Emerging Technologies and Impacts on the Information Experience

This seminar course introduced me to a variety of emerging technologies that have the potential to impact the information experience and awareness. From chatbots, AI, 3D printers, mobile apps, social media, and more, this course got me thinking strategically and creatively about new ways for users to access, use, and interact with information across all types of information environments.

I understand the definitions and current uses of chatbots, machine learning, and AI, and how to explore their use in a learning and information environment. I practiced thinking strategically about how cutting edge technologies can help drive improved information experiences for different audiences. I also practiced thinking creatively about the impact that various types of technologies such as 3D printers, virtual reality, IBM Watson, and Sophia can have on libraries, information organizations, publishers, etc. I created a plan for improving the information experience for a specific audience leveraging technology.

Class assignments that fulfilled these learning outcomes included discussions and a creative use case.

Info 246 - Information Visualization

Current information professionals are faced with an overwhelming amount of information every day. The information is typically unstructured, abstract, large-scale, and needs a more efficient and intuitive way to represent the relationships, reveal the patterns, and discover potential opportunities. Information visualization has thus recently gained increasing attention and begun to be widely applied to scientific, engineering, and social disciplines to help people understand and present their information better. This course focused on the state of the art in the field of information visualization. Topics included the background of information visualization; perceptual and design principles of information visualization; data analysis methods and hands-on applications of visualization techniques; interaction and interface design issues; and exciting emerging trends applied to library and information science fields such as

social visualization and visual analytics.

I learned how to describe the perceptual and cognitive principles of information visualization. I used data analysis methods and visualization tools to manage and analyze large collections of abstract information. I learned to identify interaction and interface design issues in visualization and apply visualization techniques to specific domains for knowledge discovery and retrieval.

Class assignments that supported these learning objectives included discussions, quizzes, assignments, and a semester project.

Bootstrap Website: Girl Scout Troop 555

This artifact is my final project for Info 246 - Web Frameworks with Bootstrap. I attempted to recreate the information available on my website designed in Info 240, and update it to a bootstrap framework. I was challenged to list three requirements that describe the purpose of my website: The purpose of my Girl Scouts Troop 555 site is to inspire delight by:(p1) - providing a landing place that feels like a “home base” for troop members.(p2) - furnishing useful links to important information for active troop members. (p3) - imparting basic troop and Girl Scout facts to prospective troop members.

Creative Use Case Prezi: 3D Printers

The creative use case assignment for Info 281 - Emerging Technologies and Impacts on the Information Experience provided a foundation in thinking strategically about how to create a plan for improving the information experience for a specific audience leveraging technology. The idea was to raise awareness of these technologies and immerse into thinking about how to drive improved information access and awareness using emerging technologies. This artifact is a Prezi presentation on how 3D printing can help the information experience for a specific audience, including the need, how it will help, what is the impact, and what are the key messages for the users.

Storytelling with Information Visualization Infographic: The Tour de France

In this assignment for Info 246 - Information Visualization, I worked with data from “The Tour de France” bicycle race. My task was to use specific software, in my case Tableau, to create visualizations that answered questions about speeds, placings, and domination of “The Tour de France”. I then used the visualizations I created to design a complete infographic on a one-page document for the purpose of storytelling. I determined a theme of the story, the target audience, and created the infographic using my visualizations to tell the story. This artifact is that infographic.

Team Project Prezi: Cybersecurity and Big Data

For Info 287 - Cybersecurity, I worked with a team to explore the benefits and drawbacks of using big data analytics technologies for cybersecurity purposes. In the cybersecurity field a multitude of information is collected in order to determine cybersecurity risks and the potential for attacks. An emerging idea in the field of cybersecurity is to use the analytical tools that are used to manage big data as a way of detecting the potential threats that exist. This artifact is a team project that takes a look at the potential drawbacks and benefits of using these tools in this way.

Reflection

Technology is an ever evolving proposition. The key to unlocking the potential of emerging information technologies is to remain current and adaptable. I enjoy learning new technologies and will continue to educate myself in their potential uses, wherever and whenever those technologies emerge.

References

Gerety, S. (n.d.). M2Mprints.com. Retrieved from: https://www.m2mprints.com/product/sean-gerety-quote/

Gregory, L. & Rudersdorf, A. (2018). Digital Resources. In S. Hirsh (Ed.), Information services today: An introduction (2nd ed., 119-128). Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.

Shih, W. & Holmes-Wong, D. (2018). Library Information Technology. In K. Haycock & M. Romaniuk (Eds.), The Portable MLIS (2nd ed., 187-198). Santa Barbara: Libraries Unlimited.