Technology Chronology

Technology Chronology

Libraries have been around since ancient times. The concept of the library has been relatively constant, in that a library is usually recognizable as a library although admittedly there have historically been different schools of thought as to its purpose.  The library's technology has not exhibited the same constancy, which is most assuredly beneficial. One can only imagine how difficult it would be to locate a scroll or scratch information onto a clay tablet. The following is a collection of events and/or objects that I deem to be of importance in shaping the technology in use by libraries today. In a fit of ironic fancy, I have decided to illustrate these events with stitchery, which takes some extra effort, thus making me appreciate these technological advances even more.

Punch Cards

“ The punched card was essentially a data-processing card through which holes were punched in columns that related to specific data or facts” (Black, 2007, p. 292). Notably used in 1936 at University of Texas Libraries, the system and organization laid groundwork for later computerization (Pace, 2009, p641).

Databases

Databases could technically be traced back to the punched cards, however the first word-based formats can be traced to the mid 1960’s as information in a variety of formats was translated to magnetic tape (Neufeld & Cornog, 1986, p.183).  “This evolution of commercially available database services continues today” (Griffiths & King, 2002, p.37). 

MARC

Proposed by the Library of Congress in the late1960's, MARC - Machine Readable Cataloging was adopted in the early 1970's by a majority of libraries. MARC provided a standard for libraries.  MARC was a key in “the transition from card to online catalogs” (Rayward, 2002, p.7).  MARC was key as it was compatible with later library management software (Guy, 2007, p.65). 

Microcomputer

By the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, computers decreased in physical size and there were improvements in speed (Tedd, 2007, p.309). Advances in microcomputers allowed for the implementation of turnkey library management software (Guy, 2007, p.65).

ALS

An automated library system is a “database to house and retrieve a library’s holdings” (Kinner & Rigda, 2009, p. 401). These systems cannot be considered advanced from today’s perspective but they were an important stepping stone (Kinner & Rigda, 2007). “The period from the late 1970’s to early 1980’s was marked by rapid growth in the number of libraries automating their operations” (Borgman, 1997, p. 222).  

OPAC

Online Public Access Catalog, an almost revolutionary concept that the public should be able to access a library's catalog (Guy, 2007, p.67). Early OPACs provided the ability to search by title, class number, or author (Black, 2007, p.318). The first OPACs were most effective when searching for a known item (Tedd, 2007, p.310).

CD-ROM

The 1980’s saw the introduction of CD-ROMs (Rayward, 2002, p. 13). CD-ROMs were adopted as “a carrier for resources and for library catalogs” (McCallum, 2003, p. 4).  CD-ROMs are still used today as carriers for computer programs. 

ILS

Integrated library systems emerged as a merger of automated library systems and the online public access catalog. The integrated library system was the answer for librarians who felt that they had lost control over their collections with the adoption of automated library systems (Kinner & Rigda, 2009, p. 403).  An important event in library technology, it was somewhat tarnished with the introduction and subsequent popularity of GUI and the Internet  (Pace, 2009, p.642).

GUI

An important development, GUI, remodeled the appearance of the (micro)computer with rip-roaring success as it is still utilized today (Pace, 2009, p. 642). GUI helped improve the standardization of OPAC interfaces in the early 1990's (McCallum, 2008, p.4).

Internet 

Although the Internet has existed in previous iterations, i.e. ARPANET,  it was only when the Internet or the World Wide Web emerged in the 1990’s, that there were “profound effects on electronic publishing” (Griffiths & King, 2002, p. 37).  Touted as the “most successful example” in searching and data exchange, the Internet (WWW) introduced new possibilities in scholarly communication, access of library materials, et cetera (Borgman, 1997, p. 230).

Wireless Internet

Wireless Internet allows the library to provide Internet access without being hindered by the number of workstations that are typically high in demand (Bertot, McClure, & Jaeger, 2008, p. 292). There is an increased need to implement Wi-Fi hotspots in libraries. As mobile devices become more prevalent, users expect to be able to access library websites or catalogs from their devices (Barnhart & Pierce, 2011, p.280). Wireless Internet facilitates this process.

Social Media

Social media in its various guises provides a new platform with which to interact with library users. Twitter in particular allows for transmission of information quickly and in real time (Aharony, 2010, p. 334). Information gathered from the use of social media can help libraries make decisions concerning the library - even decisions that involve adopting new technologies (King, 2012, p. 23).

From punched cards to social media, there have been many changes in technology over these years. In the process of researching important developments in library technology, I have a new awareness of the radical changes that have occurred. It was enlightening to realize that certain developments and technologies like the Internet (ARPANET) and automated library systems have been around longer than I previously thought. It was also interesting to see that certain technologies like integrated library systems have not experienced radical changes since their inception resulting in user dissatisfaction.  It will be exciting to see how the technology will continue to change in my lifetime.

References

Aharony, N. (2010). Twitter use in libraries: An exploratory analysis. Journal of Web Librarianship, 4(4), 333-350. doi:10.1080/19322909.2010.48776

Barnhart, F. D., & Pierce, J. E. (2011). Becoming mobile: Reference in the ubiquitous library. Journal of Library Administration, 51(3), 279-290.

Bertot, J., McClure, C. R., & Jaeger, P. T. (2008). The impacts of free public Internet access on public library patrons and communities. Library Quarterly, 78(3), 285-301.

Black, A. (2007). Mechanization in libraries and information retrieval: Punched cards and microfilm before the widespread adoption of computer technology in libraries. Library History, 23(4), 291-299. doi: 10.1179/174581607x254785

Borgman, C. L.  (1997).  From acting locally to thinking globally: A brief history of library automation.  The Library Quarterly, 67(3), 215-249.

Griffiths, J., & King, D. W. (2002). US information retrieval system: Evolution and evaluation (1945-1975).  IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, 24(3)  35-55.

Guy, F. (2007). Technological advances and information education 1982-2007: Some perspectives. Education for Information, 25(1), 63-72.

King, D. L.  (2012).  Social media. Library Technology Reports, 48(6), 23-27.

Kinner, L., & Rigda, C. (2009). The integrated library system: From daring to dinosaur? Journal of Library Administration, 49, 401-417. doi: 10.1080/01930820902832546

McCallum, S. (2003). 40 years of technology in libraries: A brief history of information technology, 1963/64-2003. IFLA. Retrieved from http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/information-technology/publications/40-years-of-its.pdf

Neufeld, M. L, & Conog, M. (1986). Database history: From dinosaurs to compact discs. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 37(4), 183-190.

Pace, A. (2009). 21^st  century library systems. Journal of Library Administration,  49(6), 641-650. doi: 10.1080/01930820903238834

Rayward, W. B. (2002).  A history of computer applications in libraries: Prolegomena. IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, 24(2) 4-15.

Tedd, L. A. (2007). Library management systems in the UK: 1960s – 1980s. Library History, 23(4), 301-316. doi: 10.1179/174581607x254794