Technology Benefits Large Libraries More,
IMLS Survey Shows
Survey results released May 10 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C., indicate that although technology is rapidly changing the work of libraries and museums, large institutions benefit more than small ones.
IMLS Director Robert Martin said, “This baseline study provides our first snapshot of the state of technology usage behind the scenes in the nation’s libraries and museums. It depicts pockets of digitization activity and planning that is making collections much more widely accessible.”
The survey report notes that library technology use is pervasive and that libraries have better funding sources for technologies than museums, but large libraries with larger budgets and larger service populations report greater usage and more kinds of technology than small libraries.
The three survey “action recommendations” for libraries, museums, and state library administrative agencies involve: 1) developing policies to ensure the long-term availability of digital content, 2) exploring the usefulness of centralized digital registries, and 3) coordinating digitization initiatives statewide and regionally. For IMLS, the survey suggests a broader role in increasing and making funding available, particularly for small public libraries, and in encouraging collaboration between institutions.
Posted June 3, 2002.
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