The electronic library manager's guide to technology for its own sake

Abstract

The question I want to ask, acting as Devil's Advocate, a role I enjoy playing, is this — what's wrong with technology for its own sake? I was set to pondering after reading an article by McKee who considers that ‘education falls into the twin traps of getting carried away by techno‐fantasy and of getting excited about technology for its own sake, rather than thinking of the basics of educational purpose.’ McKee posits that technology should always be seen from the perspective of human values and organisational purpose and goes on to quote the President‐elect of the American Library Association, Bill Summers, who believes that values are more important than technology, that technology must conform to these values and not vice‐versa, and that no amount of technology can help if you don't have a clear idea of what you are trying to accomplish and its importance.

Citation

(1988), "The electronic library manager's guide to technology for its own sake", The Electronic Library, Vol. 6 No. 6, pp. 401-403. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb044843