Medical Library Tech Trends 2007

1. Social software - As overall user traffic continues to decrease in our physical libraries, the need to explore new methods of user engagement virtually increases. Social software has the potential to provide a much-needed link between the library and virtual users of our libraries. I am not saying that libraries should rush out and implement a bunch of new software and services. Libraries should be selective about what software they choose to implement and should always solicit feedback from their users about these services. Blogs, wikis, and Facebook are three examples of social software with the potential to engage users where they are.

2. Open source software – Open source software is freely available software which allows you the ability to alter the source code and customize the software or add functionality. Open source in not new by any means but I think there is a lot of untapped potential in this area. There are working examples of open source Integrated Library Systems (ILSs) such as Koha and Evergreen and learning/content management systems such as Moodle and Sakai. When libraries use open source software, they have the potential to use a larger development community dealing with similar users and issues.

3. Mobile information devices – I think that the role of mobile device use in libraries will continue to grow as device functionality increases. We live in a mobile world and people want to access resources and their work while they are on the go. I believe that devices such as the iPhone and the Sony’s new micro computer (Vaio UX) will offer new possibilities and venues for information access on the go.

4. Collaboration tools – In addition to engaging users as I mentioned in the “Social Software” section, I think we will need to find new ways to collaborate with our users. Depending on your installation, Microsoft SharePoint has the potential to integrate many different collaboration and communication tools. There are also services such as Connotea and Zotero which allow users to save, organize, and share references. I think this type of software can offer another venue for librarians to be involved with a research team.

5. Second Life – Second Life is an open-ended virtual world created to offer social interactions between your avatar (virtual self) and other avatars. There is already a group of librarians that have developed Info Island and a virtual reference desk. This is another example of technology that has the potential to meet people where they are.

6. Cloud Architecture – Cloud Architecture consists of two parts: Folksonomies and Tag Clouds. Folksonomies are labels generated by users for objects such as bookmarks and photos. Tag clouds are a way to visually represent more popular labels (or Tag Clouds) used to identify objects. Libraries always struggle with ensuring that the terms we use to describe our services and collections and relevant to users and contain less jargon. Experimenting with the use of cloud architecture could ensure that users find the services and resources they need.

7. Wireless – Wireless technology continues to get faster and is increasingly ubiquitious. Working in synergy with mobile information devices, wireless technology has the potential to take clinical decision making to the point of care. Many of us have experience working with mobile information devices that were not wirelessly connected to the Internet. These devices are only as good as the last time they were connected to a network. Wireless ubiquity will allow users to interact with resources they need when they need them.

8. Mashups – Mashups allow users to create a new service from two or more existing services. Several Web 2.0 services use lightweight programming models which allow users to combine and remix services into new and different services. Libraries can investigate how some of these services could be remixed to offer new services for our users.

9. Streaming Media – Streaming media continues to gain popularity as services such as You Tube and Podcasting continue to develop. I am uncertain of the effects of streaming media on libraries but I think there is potential to use this technology for virtual instruction. We could also facilitate the development and organization of streaming media repositories for other areas of our institution.

10. Catalog Overlays - Products such as Endeca and AquaBrowser are springing up to put a new face on library catalogs and resources. I believe that many libraries are questioning whether the traditional library catalog can continue to link to everything in the library’s collection.