Social media via the Internet has brought us incredible capabilities to connect with and maintain our social networks across space and time. Never before in the history of humankind have we had the ability to communicate so quickly or so broadly. We have been very quick to realize the convenience and capability of these technologies. […]
Author: Christopher Barth
The Primacy of Primary Materials for Research
As the internet continues to drive innovation in information service, perhaps one of the most profound opportunities and areas for growth is in the ability to serve original primary research material to anyone with an internet connection around the world. Whereas, true research once required physical travel to often far-flung libraries and archives, now synthesis […]
Guiding Principles for a Future-Oriented Library
In order to provide the best academic library service that we can for U.S. Military Academy cadets, faculty, and staff, we seek to develop and inspire the best professionals we can across all areas of our service and support. We know that the quality of service we provide is directly related to the quality and […]
User-Focused Service and Organizational Design
With the budget turbulence of the last several years in abeyance, we find ourselves with the opportunity to consider more deeply and fundamentally how we design our services and our organization in support of the academic mission at the U.S. Military Academy. Libraries have long served as an academic anchor, supporting research and study across […]
- Future
- ...
Living in Uncertain Times
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” — Alan Watts Changes are everywhere. The U.S. Army is undergoing a substantial and fundamental force reduction as we transition away from two long and active wars. The business model of higher education is under […]
The Days of Big Data
These are the days of big data. Humans are creating, sharing, and consuming more data and information today than at any time in history. In 1960, the typical American had access in their homes to 3.4 television stations, 8.2 radio stations, 1.1 newspapers, 1.5 recently published books, and 3.6 magazines. In a world of information […]