John J. Burke, author of Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion: A Basic Guide for Library Staff, created a web survey in the fall of 2008 to determine how library staff members used technology on a day to day basis. 1,800 people responded from public, academic, school, and special libraries. This survey gives us a basic understanding of what types of technologies are used the most and which are used the least in libraries.
Technologies or technology skills used on a regular basis:
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Technology or technology skill | Percentage of respondants | |||||||
97.9 |
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Word processing |
96.2 |
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Web searching |
94.1 |
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Searching library databases |
92.7 |
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Using an integrated library system |
86.3 |
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Web navigation |
80.7 |
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Teaching others to use technology |
79.1 |
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Spreadsheets |
78.3 |
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File management/operating system navigation skills |
62.3 |
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Troubleshooting technology |
61.9 |
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Presentation software |
60.1 |
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Scanners and similar devices |
57.8 |
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Database software |
54.1 |
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Educational copyright knowledge |
47.6 |
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Creating online instructional materials/products |
43 |
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Making technology purchase decisions |
40.2 |
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Installing software |
38.7 |
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Web design |
36.7 |
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Instant messaging |
32.6 |
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Computer security knowledge |
28.4 |
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Blogging |
28.2 |
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Installing technology equipment |
24.9 |
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Graphic design |
21.3 |
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Assistive/adaptive technology |
18.1 |
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Network management |
10.9 |
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Other |
9.8 |
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Computer programming |
8.5 |