I’ve come across a video that compared the current VR technology with the introduction of Windows 95.

We may be thinking the VR headset in the market is still too clunky and we cannot just see the coming of the Metaverse.

But it may be similar to how we felt when we first used the old Windows OS and patiently waited for the page to upload.

27 years have passed and that old massive computer is now in our palm in the form of a smartphone, and most of us cannot get past a day without it.

Technology is changing the world. How will it affect our library services? And tertiary education as a whole?

IFLA Trend Report updated January this year talked about people continuing to prefer to access library services remotely. It suggested libraries to fulfill their potential to be centres not just for knowledge management, but also knowledge creation, with more emphasis on producing and communicating digital content and services.

Another topic I’m interested in is Gen Z, referring to the generation that was born between 1997-2012, which covers majority our university students. Some general characteristics of Gen Z are: multitasking, heavy reliance on technology, reluctance to interact face-to-face, high expectation from the brands and companies, and a short attention span.

IFLA report also pointed out their expectation of the most modern technologies and service in the library, the risk of turning them away from libraries if they cannot find them there. Because of that, there may even be falling interest in traditional services. Recommendation was the personalisation of services as a response, making use of technology to offer an experience better tailored to individual expectations and needs. How would it look like in our library?

Interesting to see where we find ourselves in the next 10 years.

Tomo