[1274] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Summary of my request for Internet Testimonials
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (WRIGHT, CAROL)
Tue Sep 22 11:41:43 1992
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1992 10:31:54 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: "WRIGHT, CAROL" <C1W%PSULIAS.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Many thanks to all who responded to my request for testimonials concerning
the impact of the Internet on all dimensions of professional activity.
I received approximately 30 responses, and was impressed and pleased with
the insights shared.
The comments can be grouped into several broad categories:
COMMUNICATION:
By far, most individuals emphasized the enhanced capacity for
communication. Specific experiences include:
- expanding the base of colleagues who are directly interested in
the same issues;
- maintaining contact with colleagues when travel budgets are
reduced;
- identifying contacts at other institutions for positions for
which there is only one individual assigned per campus;
- identifying vacant positions;
- negating the effects of geographic isolation;
- facilitating participation for committee assignments;
- speed of contact;
- convenience of asynchronous communication.
One person noted that discussion lists and electronic journals and
newsletters have become more important than traditional journals
to keep informed.
Only a few responses noted the time-management challenges posed
by this increased communication. One person observed that we
communicate too much!
LIAISON OPPORTUNITIES:
- chance to develop partnerships between the Libraries and the
University Computer Center;
- beneficial partnerships which develop when introducing faculty
to the Internet.
TECHNOLOGY:
- accelerated developments force many to remain on the cutting
edge;
- this communication was the final nudge which encouraged/forced
many staff members to become more computer-literate.
REFERENCE WORK:
- access to specialized databases enhance reference work
An interesting sidebar to my post to the list, and a perfect example of
the potential for expanded communication, is that it caught the attention
of a reporter with The Chronicle of Higher Education who was working on a
similar piece, and with whom I was able to share some generalized
observations. I believe a report may appear in an upcoming issue.
Again, many thanks to all the respondents!
Carol Wright
Penn State University Libraries
c1w@psulias
