Lessons in Love (of technology)

One of the lessons libraries can learn from Brown's Limits to Information is to become an institution of training. Most patrons are overloaded with information and overwhelmed with the constant technological changes, as described in Moore's Law. The majority of people can't keep up with the newest innovations and rather than get frustrated, it would be beneficial for libraries to establish training centers and seminars to teach the technology for business, personal needs, or education. For example, a patron wanting to facilitate the planning of a family reunion, could use a wiki, if only they knew how. A patron interested in creating a website for a start-up consulting business could learn how to at a library computer center. This is where libraries really become necessary. In addition, patrons need to feel grounded. Therefore, libraries have to remember to instruct patrons in new technology but not make them feel alienated from what they know: copiers, faxes, and paper and pen. As Brown noted, copiers, faxes, and pens will not necessarily become outdated. To keep people from getting overwhelmed, librarians could offer introductory courses, follow-up classes, and enrichment programs -- something for everyone, since the Internet has everything for someone.