Emerging Technologies A Primer for Librarians [Paperback]

There is an abundance of tools out there for libraries to try for outreach and public services, but which ones are the best for your library? Koerber and Sauers have done the grunt work of figuring it all out. They divide emerging technologies into six different categories: audio and video; self-publishing and library support for publishing; mobile technologies; crowd-funding such as Jason Griffeys LibraryBox, a digital file distribution tool; wearables and other makerspace activities; and the 'internet of Things,' which are traditional products made smart. Included are examples from actual institutions and technical details such as brand names for products and tools as well as pricing information. The content covered and the detailed information provided makes for a well-rounded primer for librarians. The title does not do the book justice, as it is a one-stop resource for new ideas. Verdict: This useful guidebook is packed with details and all of the research to save librarians time. Despite its limited focus on public libraries and less on academic or special collections, this would be an excellent addition to any public services librarians bookshelf.Emerging Technologies: A Primer for Librarians by Jennifer Koerber and Michael P. Sauers, covers new technologies such as wearables and the Internet of Things, and it provides examples of how they are being used. The first four chapters address older technologies that libraries may already be using but have been updated for today's standards. There is an overview of background information as well as a list of advantages and challenges to using these technologies in a library setting. The authors spotlight the most helpful or most well-known tools and devices and explain how a library could use them.While descriptions of the various tools are informative and useful, the most inspiring parts of the book are the descriptions of how the technologies are already being put to use by libraries. . . . Written with librarialƒp