A DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS AS TO HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS IMPACTED THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

In recent decades, particularly in the 80s and the 90s, and now the new millenium, our society has witnessed an increased reliance as well as a faster and advanced reliance upon technology within the public library. Increasingly, microfiche, computer terminals, usage of the internet, CD-ROMs and related software are to be found within public libraries today, whereas in the 1970s and even the early to mid 80s, it was more common to enter a library, and refer to the Reader’s Guide of Periodical Literature, or other indexes, for the purposes of ascertaining research material for one’s desired or respective topic. To this extent, throughout this research paper, this author shall be identifying and assessing the current usage of same, and its current place throughout America’s public libraries. The traditional concept of both the library as well as the librarian is being redefined, from a place to access paper, records, or books, to one which also houses the most advanced mediums, including CD-ROM, the internet, virtually libraries, and remote access to a wide range of resources. Consequently, librarians are increasingly combining tr...