Thursday, April 19, 2018

The competition for the hearts and the minds of the information user is fierce. Libraries are struggling to keep up with not only the latest in technology, but the growing amount of data being collected by these technologies. According to a recent study by the publisher IHS, 75.4 billion devices will be connected online by 2025. These devices will create drastic changes in the way that people and organizations obtain information, do business, and transform the use of library space. As librarians plan for their role in this world, where pervasive portable electronics and wearable devices converge with Big Data, how do we create innovative ways to leverage these devices and provide practical applications and new ways of engagement to reach creative solutions? The possibilities of the Internet of Things and for libraries to apply data collected in the future are many-fold. Mass amount of data (Big Data) is being collected; the trends and patterns that emerge from these metrics can help in space planning and determining where and when people are visiting, and as guides to help shape and push external content about library collections and services and exhibits. Explore current and future examples showing how libraries are embracing this convergence, where you can use a location-based app to explore the library collections, take a virtual tour in the life of books, and simplify your public programs by modeling your use of space and engaging users in exhibits and library programming.