Same Mission, New Technology: Our Local Libraries in the Digital Age

| January 25, 2020

VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) – While the Digital Age has changed many things, the basic mission of libraries to access information to meet the needs of the community remains the same.

(Photos courtesy of Oil City Library)

ExploreVenango.com spoke to Dan Flaherty, Executive Director of the Oil Region Library Association, about what it means to be a local library in the Digital Age.

According to Flaherty, the focus of librarians remains on helping people access the information they need.

“I’ve heard some past examples that fit well here. One is comparing the Internet to a child’s room – everything might be there, but you still can use help from the human element (librarian) to piece through the mess to find exactly what you are looking for.”

He stated that concerning the idea of e-books “replacing” print books, the likelihood still seems low.

“Just because the elevator was invented, it didn’t make steps obsolete. They both serve a function and can coexist.”

Flaherty noted that technology has helped librarians and patrons by providing a new avenue for finding information and delivering services, and the libraries often offer free access to resources that aren’t freely available online.

“It opens opportunities like saving space by offering online, multi-resource searching at once, and available 24/7 that print resources can’t offer.”

He also noted that basic access to technology is another important aspect of local libraries.

“Let’s be honest about one basic thing, as well. Our society demands access to technology and the Internet, but it doesn’t mean everyone automatically has access. In our county, up to 50 percent of people do not have direct access to the Internet. We provide free WiFi and free public computers that get over 20,000 annual uses.”

According to Flaherty, the library offers more technology-related resources than could even be listed, from digital reference databases like Gale Virtual Reference Library and POWER Library to language learning programs like Mango Languages, and even resume building programs and digital access to Pennsylvania legal forms.

They also offer to check out technology items, like STEM kits, Makey Makey controllers (a simple circuit board you can use to create a game controller), and WiFi hotspots.

“Our new system allows us to do so much more because of technology.”

Flaherty noted that sharing the same system with all three Venango County public libraries allows users registered at one to be inherently registered at the other two, providing greater access, and allowing patrons to pick up and drop off items at any location.

The system also allows them to send email notices during checkout or when making payments instead of a paper slip, send an email/text reminder two days prior to items being due, as well as when they become overdue, or when holds arrive or are canceled.

“We have a new auto-renew feature where books that don’t have any holds on them will automatically renew themselves up to two times so that patrons can enjoy items longer and limit the amount of overdue fees they pay.”

People can also login to the system to view their loan history, save searches, view their account, make certain changes, and place holds.

The libraries also offer printing, scanning, faxing, and cloud printing.

“We have a flat-screen at the desk that has scrolling promotions on it, staff workflows rely on technology to streamline processes and offer services in a different way.”

They also now offer different ways to support the libraries and keep in touch, offering everything from credit card payments and online donations to online forms to complete.

Another popular piece of newer technology is digital lending. Through OverDrive and the Libby app, patrons can use their library cards to freely access a growing digital catalog of eBooks and digital audiobooks.

“We are one of the first districts in the country to partner with another district (Seneca Library District in the Warren area) in a ‘reciprocal borrowing program’ so our patrons can check out books from either digital collection.”

With digital lending, there is also no fear of late fees, as items automatically return themselves after a set period of time.

The advent of social media is also territory our local libraries have moved into to better reach out to area residents and library patrons.

“Social media has helped tremendously in promoting resources and programs while also introducing new ways to keep people engaged. We have a monthly digital newsletter that also updates people and provides clickable features to interact with,” Flaherty noted.

“We also tune into social media to learn about what other libraries are doing, what issues are people facing and discussing so that we can use that info to make decisions regarding our resources and services.”

While the Digital Age is offering a lot of opportunities for local libraries, it doesn’t come without its own particular set of challenges.

“We are often faced with troubleshooting questions, so we have to keep up to speed on a multitude of devices even if it is regarding services we don’t directly provide,” Flaherty said, noting library employees often act as everything from the “Geek Squad” to Apple techs.

He also noted that libraries have to stay on their toes when it comes to new technology.

“We need to continually evaluate technology to see what will stick and what is just a passing fad – you don’t want to waste resources on something that won’t last, and at the same time, you don’t want to lag behind in something that becomes a basic expectation.”

Resources themselves are still a big issue, as well, as sustainable funding is still a major challenge for many libraries.

“People expect us to provide services, including our funding sources. Unfortunately, the revenue doesn’t always keep up. Our users support generously through donations and fundraisers, but our government support (municipalities, county, and state) has mostly declined or remained stagnant.

“We do battle with the misconception about technology replacing libraries where in fact we are made better for it, often the only ones providing it, etc. Libraries continue to provide more with less, which unfortunately has encouraged even steeper cuts at times.

“Locally, the public hasn’t been impacted by most cuts so they might not be aware of the behind-the-scenes decisions that have been made. It is counter to our mission to lessen services, but it is a trend that needs to be addressed for the long-term viability of libraries.

“Nationally, Pennsylvania is in the bottom five of all states regarding local municipal support, while still in the top five in state support, even though state support is still much less than pre-recession times.”


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