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The Library Technology Innovation Profile Series spotlights academic librarians who promote technological innovation in their community

IGI Global Profiles Technology Librarian Cindy Hart of Tidewater Community College

By IGI Global on Nov 9, 2015

In effort to support the advancement of library technologies and services, IGI Global has implemented the Librarian Profile Series as part of our Library Technology Innovation Program. This series features the profiles of today's leaders and specialists in knowledge management advancement and technologies. For our first profile, we are proud to spotlight Ms. Cynthia Hart, Technology Librarian for Tidewater Community College, winner of IGI Global's 2015 Academic Librarian Sponsorship Program.

Ms. Hart instructs a class in online gaming technologiesName: Cynthia Hart
Position: Technology Librarian
Library: Tidewater Community College / City Joint-Use Library

How do you consider yourself a technological innovator?

I used to jokingly say that my job was to “knock the fairy dust off technology” removing the magic and the fear so that people could see it as an everyday tool. Nowadays, I say that I am an idea person who borrows concepts and methods from outside the profession and mixes them into the context of library to create programs and services that are desired by our community. We live in a complex world. My job is to help people learn so that they can adapt and flourish.

What programs are you currently involved in?

Both the Virginia Beach Public Library and Tidewater Community College are strategically focused. I am involved with staff training tied to technology competencies and customer focus services and technology programming. At the Joint-use Library, we offer diverse technology programs for everyone from preschoolers to seniors including code clubs, STEAM and maker activities. Whether it’s helping a teenager learn Javascript or working with a reference librarian to create a 2 minute virtual help guide, my job is very exciting.

What areas of technological innovation do you consider the most exciting?

Military personnel and other professionals have used wearable technology for decades. Now, private consumers can purchase smart glasses, smart watches, hearables, fitness or health trackers, smart jewelry, and smart fashion online and in retail stores. A recent study, Wearable Tech Survey (STARTEK, Feb 2015) shows that consumers want personalized and relevant interactions. Three out of four Millennials believe that wearable technology is a new, better way for brands to engage with consumers. Wearable technology gives the Library an opportunity to turn one-time customers into lifetime advocates through real-time, highly personalized experiences.

What technology-related projects do you see librarians implementing in the future?

I see librarians creating learning spaces that integrate library resources with immersive experiences so that each students’ learning is maximized. Imagine a library orientation class where architecture students use the library catalog to find “a book” about medieval churches in Paris then open it to experience Chartres Cathedral in its exceptional state of preservation – all in an immersive environment. A print book can’t replicate the experience of seeing the beauty of those original stained glass windows.

I also see libraries delivering resources and services to our customers in highly personalized ways that fit their lifestyles and individual preferences. Within the next three to five years, most of the traditional newly enrolled college students will be born after the year 2000. They will expect us to deliver real-time updates to their connected devices.

What advice would you share with a librarian looking to become a leader in supporting technology advancements?

Regardless of whether it is a pencil or a robotic device, technology is simply a tool that helps us work, live, learn, play, and communicate. Our prior knowledge and experience help us adapt to new technology. Technological advancements doesn’t mean that we throw away all of our pencils. They come in handy when your tablet battery dies and you need to take notes during a meeting. So, don’t make technology seems mysterious or hard. It’s not!

About Ms. Cynthia Hart: With varied experience in administration, supervision, and programming, Ms. Hart has worked as a public librarian for twenty-six years in progressively responsible positions within the Virginia Beach Public Library System. For more than a decade, she managed the library’s intranet and Internet sites including all virtual resources, services, and digital collections.

In addition, she established and managed the library’s social media presence, coordinated gaming and multimedia projects, as well as developed and implemented web 2.0 training and tools. Working with TagWhat, she led the library to be the first in the nation to use augmented reality to boost local history collections and provide rich location-based storytelling.

Currently, Cindy manages technology and technology programming, as well as shared daily responsibility for the Joint-Use Library, a collaboration library between Tidewater Community College and the City of Virginia Beach. Her responsibilities include customer service, scheduling, staff relations, budgeting, payroll, staff training, and program development. Cindy is the winner of IGI Global's Academic Librarian Sponsorship Program and was recently awarded a $500 travel stipend for attendance of the Annual Charleston Conference.

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