This comprehensive primer introduces information technology topics foundational to many services offered in today’s libraries and information centers. Written by a librarian, it clearly explains concepts familiar to the I.T. professional with an eye toward practical applications in libraries for the aspiring technologist. Chapters begin with a basic introduction to a major topic then go into enough technical detail of relevant technologies to be useful to the student preparing for library technology and systems work or the professional needing to converse effectively with technology experts. Many chapters also present current issues or trends for the subject matter being discussed. The twelve chapters cover major topics such as technology support, computer hardware, networking, server administration, information security, web development, software and systems development, emerging technology, library management technologies, and technology planning. Each chapter also includes a set of pedagogical features for use with instruction including: Chapter summary List of key terms End of chapter question set Suggested activities Bibliography for further reading List of web resources Those who will find this book useful include library & information science students, librarians new to systems or information technology responsibilities, and library managers desiring a primer on information technology.

Using an easy-to-understand writing style, Ellyssa Kroski helps public, school, and academic librarians take advantage of Web 2.0 technologies. She provides innovative, real-world examples of libraries which are using these technologies to enhance their online presence, showcase services and increase patronage.

"Big data," as it has become known in business and information technology circles, has the potential to improve our knowledge about human behavior, and to help us gain insight into the ways in which we organize ourselves, our cultures, and our external and internal lives. Libraries stand at the center of the information world, both facilitating and contributing to this flood as well as helping to shape and channel it to specific purposes. But all technologies come with a price. Where the tool can serve a purpose, it can also change the user's behavior to fit the purposes of the tool. Big Data Shocks: An Introduction to Big Data for Librarians and Information Professionals examines the roots of big data, the current climate and rising stars in this world. The book explores the issues raised by big data and discusses theoretical as well as practical approaches to managing information whose scope exists beyond the human scale. What’s at stake ultimately is the privacy of the people who support and use our libraries and the temptation for us to examine their behaviors. Such tension lies deep in the heart of our great library institutions. This book addresses these issues and many of the questions that arise from them, including: What is our role as librarians within this new era of big data? What are the impacts of new powerful technologies that track and analyze our behavior? Do data aggregators know more about us and our patrons than we do? How can librarians ethically balance the need to demonstrate learning and knowledge creation and privacy? Do we become less private merely because we use a tool or is it because the tool has changed us? What's in store for us with the internet of things combining with data mining techniques? All of these questions and more are explored in this book

"Providing resources for planning and managing every possible aspect of the relationships and work involved for successful cooperation between libraries and information technology services - including staffing and reporting lines, inter-organizational relationships, training, daily and periodic operations, research, and new technologies - this book also offers guidance to help systems librarians better plan for tomorrow. Appended materials, including a glossary; sample job descriptions; organizational charts; integrated library system vendor contacts; suggested professional reading; controlled circulation publications; a bibliography; sample policies and documents; and an index add to the practicality of this resource."--Jacket.

Once again the wide-ranging and rapid developments in microcomputer technology of the last few years have meant that a detailed revision of The librarian's guide to microcomputers for information management was required, if it was to fulfil its objectives of providing a single source of information on the process of automating with a microcomputer. For this new edition, we have taken into account not only the developments in hardware, but also the growing sophistication and power of software, and the growing sophistication of library and information service managers. The latter are more and more familiar with the use, or at least the principles, of microcomputers, and it no longer seems necessary to spell out certain details. We have, where relevant, indicated sources of more detailed information, particularly of practical applications, and so we hope that the changes we have made will ensure that this book remains of value to practitioner and student alike. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We remain, as always, grateful to those who have written or spoken about their experiences with microcomputers and have described applications. We would also like to thank the referees who commented of the book, and provided useful suggestions and on a first draft amendments. Mandy and Lindesay once again patiently accepted our absence during the writing of this edition.

Step-by-step guidance for using traditional research methods to help improve, validate, and ultimately advance the day-to-day work and purpose of libraries.