Future Shock

What's in a name!

Why name my blog, "Future Shock" Keeping in mind, as I was reminded this morning, everyone with whom you are speaking "may not" be of your generation and understand everything you say.

This view is definitely not lost on libraries. A tremendous amount of changes have occurred since I arrived at my library in 1984. Our library had no computers in 1984 but by the mid 1990s computers had not only arrived - they had taken over the mode of searching for information and drastically reduced our reference desk activity. Now, in the 21st century, students use library computers to communicate with students across the country by using "Face Book". In light of all of these and other predicted changes librarians have been scrambling to find ways (sometimes innovative and sometimes crazy) to regain the attention and dependence of students.

All of this takes me back to the book, Future Shock by Alvin Toffler. While in college in the early 1970s I could not understand the idea and the world behind the book. I do now!

My blog will address the changes that are occurring in C. G. O'Kelly Library. Changes have occurred so rapidly that the staff has a difficult time trying to keep up. To some, this will be a chronicle of the library's odyssey from a traditional library to a living information resource, and to others just information to navigate through and access information.

So, stay tuned everybody - it's going to be a fast and bumpy ride!