The workshop 'Future Technologies and Their Applications' aims to equip librarians and information professionals with tools to identify and respond to emerging technological developments. Facilitated by Brian Kelly and Tony Hirst, the interactive session will explore methodologies for predicting technology trends and their strategic implications. Participants will engage in discussions and scenario planning to navigate the impact of these technologies on their organizations.

1. Future Technologies and
Their Applications
A: Introduction
A one-day workshop
at ILI 2013 facilitated
by Brian Kelly and
Tony Hirst
Twitter hashtag:
#ili2013fut
Available under a
Creative Commons
(CC-BY licence)
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2. About The Facilitators
Brian Kelly:
• Worked at UKOLN,
University of Bath for 16+ years
• Web technology adviser to
higher education & cultural heritage sectors
• Now independent consultant
Tony Hirst:
• Data wrangler
• Works at Open University
• Data Storyteller at the
School of Data
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3. Workshop Abstract
Despite the uncertainties faced by librarians and information professionals,
technology continues to develop at breakneck speed, offering many new
opportunities for the sector. At the same time, technological developments
can be distracting and may result in wasted time and effort (remember the
excitement provided by Second Life?!).
This workshop session will help participants identify potentially relevant
technological developments by learning about and making use of 'Delphic'
processes. The workshop also provides insight into processes for spotting
'weak signals' which may indicate early use of technologies which could be
important in the future.
But having identified potentially important technological developments,
organisations need to decide how to respond. What will be the impact on
existing technologies? What are the strategic implications and what are the
implications for staff within the organisation?
The interactive workshop session will provide opportunities to address the
challenges in understanding the implications of technological developments
and making appropriate organisational interventions.
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4. About You
In small groups:
• Introduce yourselves: your name,
where you work and what you do.
• Say what made you decide to sign up
for this workshop and what you hope to
gain from it.
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5. Draft Timetable
Time Title
10.00 A: Introduction
10.20 B: Predicting Technology Trends: a Methodology
11.30 Coffee
11.50 C: Exploring the Technologies
12.30 Lunch
14.00 D: Applying Technology Detection & Planning Methodologies
15.30 Coffee
16.00 E: Scenario Planning For Libraries
16.45 F: Review and Conclusions
17.00 Finish
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Subject to changes

6. Workshop Format
Features of the workshop:
• Participative
• Questions and discussion welcomed
• Welcoming of alternative views
• Open (feel free to take photos, tweet, ….)
• Appreciative of limitations of openness
(feel free to state if comments are
‘off the record’)
Links to slides available from http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/events/
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7. Questions
Any questions?
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