The Brown and Duguid chapter this week really rang some bells for me. I part-time telecommuted for years and found the same ups and downs as the reading relates. My company at the time got on the bandwagon of issuing laptops to everyone and "freeing" the employees to work from anywhere. What I found was I put in at least 12 hours a day of work between the office and home which didn't make me feel "free"!
As far as impact for libraries...I think the biggest point is the technology itself doesn't make or break the exchange of information it is still a people based process. Providing tools that work for people is the key - if the patrons want the technology provide it. If they don't - don't force it to be the only option. Just because something *can* work doesn't mean it has to....find the balance that works for your community. My tiny boro library appeals heavily to the pre-school set and has no need to Ask a Librarian IM services - my larger township library services the community at large and has added many more social software tools to their offerings.
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I like your point about providing tools for people IF they want them...technologies need to serve and actual purpose beyond being bells and whistles to stimulate a "cool" factor.
I completely agree with tom. You can't force technologies upon someone without causing further frustration.
Libraries are our bastions of knowledge. We need a firm foundation with a giant adapted plug on one end to try out new stuff, but not make a trial run turn into a point of no return. :-)
Peace,
-Steve
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