Discussion Questions

Reversing the Ratchet : Basic Technology Adoption Strategies for Library Workers

Questions

1. I’m a recent library school graduate. My instructors got me really excited about using new technologies to revolutionize community services. But now when I suggest my ideas for using them in our library nobody seems to care. This is really frustrating. Have I got any hope for making a difference?

2. There’s a new technology that I’ve been reading about and thinking of giving it a try. I’m just not sure it’s worth the effort. What do other people do in these situations to get a better sense of whether or not something is worth investing the time?

3. Isn’t talking about “user experience” just a glorified way to talk about customer service? It’s the same thing.

4. I’m the “new guy” and your vignette was right on target – at least as far as my job goes. Any ideas for us “new guys” and how we can start to see other library workers taking some responsibility for adopting new technology.

5. Where I can find examples of libraries that are getting positive results with new technology? I find that good role models can help move these along at my library.

6. Do you think clickers can work in a public library setting? Where would I get started?

7. I think reverse mentoring is a pretty good idea but the problem here is that we’re mostly in need of it yet don’t have any new to the profession librarians to mentor us. Any ideas on where to find someone who can reverse mentor me?

Discussion Ideas for Your Library

1. Talk about a recent success with technology adoption and a recent failure. Discuss those factors that contributed to success or failure. How might your library workers be more effective in the future when adopting new technology?

2. How are new technologies identified at your library? Is it usually coming from one individual, a committee or in other ways? Is it possible that a better process could be put in place to monitor, assess and adopt new technologies?

3. Discuss the user experience concept. Collect ideas for what a great library user experience would mean at your library. How would it take shape and what could facilitate making it happen?

4. How are library workers at your library keeping up with new technologies? Have individuals share a valued resource used to keep up with technology, and explain how that resource has been a help.

5. We gave you a five-point plan for reversing the technology ratchet.

Discuss each of these ideas and how they could work at our library. What other strategies would you add to the five-point plan to reverse the technology ratchet?

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