Thing #10 - Technology

I think technology is the great catch 22 of the library system. There seems to be so many benefits, but at the same time, when the technology fails, we are left rather helpless. I can see both sides of the argument for raising the staff's awareness of these new experiences and features on the web, but I also wonder if it will drive us apart rather than bringing us together in the long run. We've been learning about all these features that allow us to work with others without leaving our desk, or things that allow patrons to do more from home. If one of the goals of the library is to bring the community together and serve as a focal point, are we setting ourselves up for a more dissonant community by making it easier for them to function is a solely virtual world? This is a concern of mine for the world at large, not simple for the library system. The library will always have a place and a purpose, and we can work to make these new resources bring about a positive outcome.