Competency C
Recognize the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of information use
Introduction
Information can transform fundamental values, assumptions and activities within a society. Our society today has been inundated with information as a result of the technology explosion. As the amount of information available grows, so does the challenge of providing it to users. As we know, Internet use is increasing for people regardless of income, education, ethnicity or gender. The introduction of these technologies may create social and cultural implications that are not anticipated. They may influence populations’ thoughts and actions, effecting the country’s culture and traditional values. In LIBR 204, I was introduced to, and studied in great detail, the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use in today’s society.
I learned that environmental scanning is a very useful concept and process for gathering information about activities, trends, relationships, competitors, potential dangers, diversity, education of a population, income and other factors in the environment that could impact an organization. Analyzing such variables as customers, competitors, economic trends, political changes, and socio-cultural factors help libraries forecast changes in their environment that allows them to better understand their users’ needs and expectations. This information can be translated to ongoing efforts to meet ever-changing user needs and expectations for service from libraries. Constant scanning of the current state of social, cultural and economic dimensions of information needs in a library’s environment is an essential element of library planning and operations.
Social Dimension
Librarians must think about the impact of societal change, generational differences, cultural needs, economic conditions, the use of emerging technologies, and the use of social media, are having on how and what services they deliver. As information professionals we must find new and creative ways to expand knowledge and information, to meet the unique needs, interests, and condition of our consumers. Existing social networks organized around culture, religion, neighborhoods, language, community institutions, interests, clubs, education, must be identified and used for outreach and an avenue for building greater involvement in library activities and services. Collecting and analyzing user data should be an essential element in planning for any library. This analysis should include the collection of demographic data on users and non-users that will identify gaps in use by economic level, cultural groups, language spoken, age, gender, geographical local, and other common characteristics of users. Libraries should also find ways to capitalize on the extreme interest people of all ages have today in social media. Organizing sessions to attract users to the library via social networking sites have afforded many libraries a new way to promote information literacy, library resources, services and organizations.
Cultural Dimensions
Cultural dimensions of information use stem from the unique needs and interests of groups that have common heritage, characteristics, experience, language, and history. Libraries need to identify those groups through their environmental scans and demographic analysis and design services and approaches that will result in their full participation in library activities. It is important that libraries reach out to all cultural communities and provide collections and services that effectively meet their needs and desires. Shaping collections to support cultural demographics, such as ethnicity and spoken language are important. Providing equal access to library collections and technologies must be addressed.
Economic Dimensions
As we become a more information-based society, the concept of information as a product, a commodity with its own value, has become more evident. The economics of information is transforming the world. The cost of information services; the effects of information on decision making; the savings from effective information acquisitions; and the effects of specific information institutions on productivity are all contributing to the transformation of information science. The information industry is worth billions of dollars and nations compete to dominate the information market. This leads to international issues that may restrict or encourage the flow of information and information technology. As the value of information increases, access to that information will be at the forefront of discussions for information professionals. Geographic, social, and economic conditions often lead to inequitable access. Not only will access be a challenge, but the opportunity to develop the skills to search the web effectively affects users in gaining the tools they need to be productive in society. Libraries can play an important role in helping citizens bridge the digital divide and gain access to necessary technologies to enhance their lives and improve their economic condition. Libraries must level the playing field by providing those with out access to technology, free access with the necessary support to effectively use technology. There are many examples of libraries where users can improve their literacy, find a job, enhance personal skills, join social networks, conduct research, gain knowledge, complete educational programs, do homework, and other important activities that may not be possible with out library access.
Experience
During the first three courses I took in the SLIS program I was made aware of the environmental impact of the information field. I gained experience identifying the social, cultural and economic impact of information institutions. My first piece of evidence is an was produced in LIBR 204. During this course we were given the task of observing a library of our choice and participating in an environmental scan. This task was quite interesting in regards to what resources, technologies, programs and services were provided for the users. I chose a middle class public library in Folsom, California. The branch I chose opened in 2008 and is fairly new to the city. The Library Environmental Scan assignment is designed to develop skills of observation and to practice doing an environmental scan. The ability to objectively observe, analyze, and report the current environmental findings about a specific site based on specific criteria is essential to creating a strategic plan. I developed my skills of observation and practiced doing an environmental scan. I observed for a whole day at Folsom Public Library and wrote a paper on my findings. I did an environmental scan then crossed referenced my findings with the resources, technology, collections, programs and services offered by the library, Folsom Library Environmental Scan Paper.
My second piece of evidence is from LIBR 200 where I wrote a paper on the 24/7 library. This paper is a direct effect of the social, cultural and economic demands that users want. Users want their information at their fingertips, they want it now and they want it for free. We are in a "free and fast" society. Users will go where they can to get the information they need at the cheapest price. Information organizations need to see this as a way to draw users into their libraries. Digital environments are on the rise and information professionals need to be on the cutting age of information retrieval and dissemination to offer an up-to-date system for their clients to use.
Conclusion
It is often said that information is the gateway to freedom. Libraries are created and maintained by federal, state, and local funding to keep citizen educated. The more educated a society, the more freedom it allows. Making technology and knowledge equally accessible, closing the information gap and providing up-to-date resources, collections, programs and services is a challenge for every library environment. The information revolution will continue to be driven by a complex intermingling of political, social, cultural, and economic factors. It is by understanding the intermingling of these factors that we can begin to understand and anticipate the future of the information revolution.
Introduction
Information can transform fundamental values, assumptions and activities within a society. Our society today has been inundated with information as a result of the technology explosion. As the amount of information available grows, so does the challenge of providing it to users. As we know, Internet use is increasing for people regardless of income, education, ethnicity or gender. The introduction of these technologies may create social and cultural implications that are not anticipated. They may influence populations’ thoughts and actions, effecting the country’s culture and traditional values. In LIBR 204, I was introduced to, and studied in great detail, the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use in today’s society.
I learned that environmental scanning is a very useful concept and process for gathering information about activities, trends, relationships, competitors, potential dangers, diversity, education of a population, income and other factors in the environment that could impact an organization. Analyzing such variables as customers, competitors, economic trends, political changes, and socio-cultural factors help libraries forecast changes in their environment that allows them to better understand their users’ needs and expectations. This information can be translated to ongoing efforts to meet ever-changing user needs and expectations for service from libraries. Constant scanning of the current state of social, cultural and economic dimensions of information needs in a library’s environment is an essential element of library planning and operations.
Social Dimension
Librarians must think about the impact of societal change, generational differences, cultural needs, economic conditions, the use of emerging technologies, and the use of social media, are having on how and what services they deliver. As information professionals we must find new and creative ways to expand knowledge and information, to meet the unique needs, interests, and condition of our consumers. Existing social networks organized around culture, religion, neighborhoods, language, community institutions, interests, clubs, education, must be identified and used for outreach and an avenue for building greater involvement in library activities and services. Collecting and analyzing user data should be an essential element in planning for any library. This analysis should include the collection of demographic data on users and non-users that will identify gaps in use by economic level, cultural groups, language spoken, age, gender, geographical local, and other common characteristics of users. Libraries should also find ways to capitalize on the extreme interest people of all ages have today in social media. Organizing sessions to attract users to the library via social networking sites have afforded many libraries a new way to promote information literacy, library resources, services and organizations.
Cultural Dimensions
Cultural dimensions of information use stem from the unique needs and interests of groups that have common heritage, characteristics, experience, language, and history. Libraries need to identify those groups through their environmental scans and demographic analysis and design services and approaches that will result in their full participation in library activities. It is important that libraries reach out to all cultural communities and provide collections and services that effectively meet their needs and desires. Shaping collections to support cultural demographics, such as ethnicity and spoken language are important. Providing equal access to library collections and technologies must be addressed.
Economic Dimensions
As we become a more information-based society, the concept of information as a product, a commodity with its own value, has become more evident. The economics of information is transforming the world. The cost of information services; the effects of information on decision making; the savings from effective information acquisitions; and the effects of specific information institutions on productivity are all contributing to the transformation of information science. The information industry is worth billions of dollars and nations compete to dominate the information market. This leads to international issues that may restrict or encourage the flow of information and information technology. As the value of information increases, access to that information will be at the forefront of discussions for information professionals. Geographic, social, and economic conditions often lead to inequitable access. Not only will access be a challenge, but the opportunity to develop the skills to search the web effectively affects users in gaining the tools they need to be productive in society. Libraries can play an important role in helping citizens bridge the digital divide and gain access to necessary technologies to enhance their lives and improve their economic condition. Libraries must level the playing field by providing those with out access to technology, free access with the necessary support to effectively use technology. There are many examples of libraries where users can improve their literacy, find a job, enhance personal skills, join social networks, conduct research, gain knowledge, complete educational programs, do homework, and other important activities that may not be possible with out library access.
Experience
During the first three courses I took in the SLIS program I was made aware of the environmental impact of the information field. I gained experience identifying the social, cultural and economic impact of information institutions. My first piece of evidence is an was produced in LIBR 204. During this course we were given the task of observing a library of our choice and participating in an environmental scan. This task was quite interesting in regards to what resources, technologies, programs and services were provided for the users. I chose a middle class public library in Folsom, California. The branch I chose opened in 2008 and is fairly new to the city. The Library Environmental Scan assignment is designed to develop skills of observation and to practice doing an environmental scan. The ability to objectively observe, analyze, and report the current environmental findings about a specific site based on specific criteria is essential to creating a strategic plan. I developed my skills of observation and practiced doing an environmental scan. I observed for a whole day at Folsom Public Library and wrote a paper on my findings. I did an environmental scan then crossed referenced my findings with the resources, technology, collections, programs and services offered by the library, Folsom Library Environmental Scan Paper.
My second piece of evidence is from LIBR 200 where I wrote a paper on the 24/7 library. This paper is a direct effect of the social, cultural and economic demands that users want. Users want their information at their fingertips, they want it now and they want it for free. We are in a "free and fast" society. Users will go where they can to get the information they need at the cheapest price. Information organizations need to see this as a way to draw users into their libraries. Digital environments are on the rise and information professionals need to be on the cutting age of information retrieval and dissemination to offer an up-to-date system for their clients to use.
Conclusion
It is often said that information is the gateway to freedom. Libraries are created and maintained by federal, state, and local funding to keep citizen educated. The more educated a society, the more freedom it allows. Making technology and knowledge equally accessible, closing the information gap and providing up-to-date resources, collections, programs and services is a challenge for every library environment. The information revolution will continue to be driven by a complex intermingling of political, social, cultural, and economic factors. It is by understanding the intermingling of these factors that we can begin to understand and anticipate the future of the information revolution.
Evidence Summary and Artifacts
#1 LIBR 204 Observations of Organizational Structure
Environmental Scan project
#1 LIBR 204 Observations of Organizational Structure
Environmental Scan project
libr204_01_folsom_library_environmental_scan.docx | |
File Size: | 717 kb |
File Type: | docx |
#2 LIBR 200 Information and Society
The 24/7 library literature review and essay
The 24/7 library literature review and essay
research_paper_the_24_7_library.doc | |
File Size: | 69 kb |
File Type: | doc |
References
Evans, E., & Layzell, P. (2007). Management Basics for Information Professionals. New York: Neal-Schuman.
Rubin, R. (2004). Foundations of Library and Information Science. New York: Neal-Schuman.
Rubin, R. (2004). Foundations of Library and Information Science. New York: Neal-Schuman.