Top Trends 2010

I'm watching the LITA Top Tech Trends and I'm so happy to hear these panelists talking about things that I've thought about and hadn't really heard people talking about in the library.

I loved Dave's comment that when iPad users are asked what they think about the interface, they describe it in a very emotional way, which is a circle back to the book. When people talk about books they do use a sort of nostalgic romantic way of describing their affection for them. I giggled when he said his 2 year old daughter now thinks that all screens are touch interfaces.

Also another panelist mentioned the role of libraries computer labs. How, now that these hardware devices are becoming more affordable and more common, the users are coming to the library, not to use the new hardware, but to get the "stuff" and information that goes into it.

I was also so happy to hear someone talking about the Apple store, and how the POS is an iPhone! I was floored, and completely overwhelmed by going into an Apple store for the first time (without my husband) to get my iPhone replaced, and I could not for the life of me figure out where the cashier was.
A "Genius" found me roaming aimlessly and offered to check me in right on his iPhone.

Why aren't we moving towards this in the library more often? Our management team is equipping our reference librarians with iPads so that they can roam the stacks and help people where they are at to find the information and answers they need without walking up to a big desk. I cannot wait to see this initiative roll out.