2022-10-11 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 12, Issue 9

Featured Story

Emerging technology trends in libraries in 2022

Some of the emerging technology trends in 2022 for libraries are augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI) and gamification. Augmented reality enables digital displays to be projected onto real world objects combining the physical and virtual worlds (Nepali & Tamang, 2022). 

Library AR applications include:

• Aurasma: any picture, entity, and/or location can be assigned an aura which can range from a video, link to a website, or lifelike motion graphics.
• Layer: first AR browser for iPhone and android which integrates data from GPS, compasses, and tilt sensors with images or figures captured by the camera. This allows for the incorporation of multimedia into the images/figures and enhances the user experience.
• Google goggles: figure recognition mobile app. It researches images captured by the camera providing information about that figure, such as a famous landmark.
• libARi: assists users in locating a particular item in the library. 
• ShelvAR: a mobile app that depicts call numbers on book spines (Nepali & Tamang, 2022). 

Virtual reality is when the entire experience takes place in a virtual environment. Artificial intelligence is the use of smart machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Examples of AI that may sound familiar are Siri, Alexa, self-driving cars, Netflix recommendations, etc. (Introduction to AI, n.d.).

Potential uses for VR and AI in the library include:

• Virtual agents for reference services.
• Virtual tours of the library.
• Robots for shelf reading and circulation record maintenance (Nepali & Tamang, 2022).

Gamification is applying game-like elements to content, items, or programs. Game-like elements can include narratives, quests, progression, feedback, leaderboards, rewards, etc. In order to be effective, gamification must be done well (Nepali & Tamang, 2022). 

Advantages of using well designed gamification in the library include:

• Increasing efficiency.
• Increasing motivation.
• Promoting creativity.
• Improving communication.
• Encouraging participation.
• Introducing new dynamics to content.
• Developing specific abilities (Nepali & Tamang, 2022). 

Some of these emerging trends can be cost prohibitive. It is important for the library interested in these technologies to thoroughly investigate the practicality of implementation, the training needed for support and maintenance, and the return on investment.   

References:
Introduction to AI. (n.d.). Builtin. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence 
Nepali, S., & Tamang, R. (2022). A review on emerging trends and technologies in library. American Journal of Information Science and Technology, 6(1). 8-15. https://doi.org/0.11648/j.ajist.20220601.12

By Tania Harden 

Fail Forward

We’ve all been there. You pour your heart into a program, and no one shows up. You try something new, and you fall on your face. Sound familiar? Fail Forward is the place to share your failures, and give you the opportunity to share what you learned from them. Did you promote your program in a different way after no one showed up? Maybe you took a new approach to the new thing you were excited about? Awesome! Share your story via our online form so others can learn, and realize that failure is often part of the process.

Let’s talk about timing. When my library started getting back into the swing of programming, I had about 1,000 ideas that had stacked up for almost two years and I was SO READY to get started. One of these amazing and totally original ideas was a trivia series. A colleague of mine wanted to take the lead to get some programming experience and we sat down, made a plan, got it on the schedule when both of us were working, and started promoting. And no one came…twice.  Which made absolute sense for a 2pm program on a Thursday afternoon. You know, when a lot of adults are at work. Timing is important.

I will say that even though the afternoon program was a bust it was at least good to try. It’s been a long time since our branch had a full program schedule. We have almost completely new staff and a community with various needs and available times. This was a good look at the kind of program that won’t work in the afternoon. And we have everything ready for when we change the time to something more suitable for our patrons.

By Maggie Dumont

Crush Corner

Is there a library you follow on social media who is always doing new and exciting things? How about a blog you follow that inspires you? What about a new idea, book, or resource that you want to share? Library Crush Corner is a place for those working in Idaho libraries to share what inspires them, and who or what they’re crushing on… in a professional sense. Share your story via our online form so we can publish it in a future issue!

I have recently been impressed with Rapid City Public Library’s Instagram feed. They have a great variety of posts, including:
Silly themed posts like this Friday the 13^th one:

Nostalgic throwback posts, like this one:

Of course, they also do colorful promotions for their upcoming programs and events, like this one:

To see more of Rapid City Public Library’s creative posts, be sure to follow them on Instagram, @rapidcitypubliclibrary.

By Brooke Urbaniak 

SPLAT explores the ever-evolving library world and supports library folks as they adapt to meet the needs of their communities. Library folk throughout the state of Idaho volunteer to serve on the Special Projects Library Action Team (SPLAT). Learn more about SPLAT at splat.lili.org

SPLAT is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and was made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS-246156-OLS-20). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.