About This Book

Public User Services & Technology: A Primer for Librarians was developed as an Open Educational Resource through an OpenHawks grant at the University of Iowa Libraries. The book was created within a graduate course on Public User Services & Technology, with chapters written by enrolled students and edited by course instructor Micah Bateman in collaboration with graduate assistant and co-editor Sera-Ann Hargrove.

Each chapter is designed as a concise overview of a core topic relevant to contemporary public-facing library work, particularly as it intersects with technology, digital resources, and online services. Chapters were developed to align with individual course modules, introducing foundational concepts, professional standards, and common practices that beginning librarians and library workers are expected to encounter in the field.

While the book originated in a classroom setting, it is intended to be useful beyond that context. The chapters are written to stand alone and may be read selectively, making the book suitable for self-directed learning, staff training, or use in other library and information science courses. The intended audience includes MLIS students, early-career librarians, paraprofessionals, and library workers seeking a practical introduction to public user services and technology.

The book is organized in two parts. Part I introduces key areas of public user services, including library technology, digital literacy, accessibility, user experience, reference services, search strategies, and technology management. Part II builds on this foundation by examining how differences in access, skills, and resources shape user interactions with technology across a range of populations and contexts. Taken together, the chapters provide readers with a shared vocabulary and conceptual framework for understanding how libraries support patrons’ use of technology in twenty-first-century information environments.

Note on Format and Media

This book is available in multiple formats. Some chapters include embedded or interactive media elements (such as videos or external tools) in the web-based version. These interactive elements may not display in PDF or print versions of the text. Readers using a static format are encouraged to consult the online version of the book for access to all media content.