Monday 28 November 2011

Smart applications and the Library

Can smart applications really work for libraries? Do they provide a valuable service? Yes, they do in so many ways. Libraries are a treasure trove of information, from archive materials to the latest reading material for the e-book reader. I have never been to the United Kingdom before, but I found a video on You Tube about smart technology and the British Library. While the video was brief, it does have an impact on what this application can do for the patron but readily we can access the information regardless of where we live in the world.

As I stated earlier more libraries are releasing archive images or materials via the web. Imagine if your doing a presentation and needed an image or had to review a original resource for a paper, or a major presentation. The smart application can help you get access to that information. What I found astonishing with the British Library video was that speeches which were recorded in the last hundred years have been preserved and are release over the web. Speeches can range from the women's movement to Nelson Mandela is struggle for equality in South Africa in the 1950-60's. Once upon a time you needed to fly to the U.K. to hear or see the resources, with smart technology the resources can come to you. One comment by a user has shown how technology has improved our life was when a user from Germany ask if they could access the application.

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