Reducing Stressful Aspects of Information Technology in Public Services

Although information technology has made locating and organizing information faster and easier in many ways, it also constitutes a source of stress for both public services librarians and patrons. This study identifies a number of sources of technological stress, which include everything from poor typing skills to poor interface design. It also proposes several ways to reduce technological stress, such as implementing a system gradually, communicating with staff about what to expect, providing adequate training for librarians, creating proper documentation, choosing ergonomically sound hardware and software, selecting a well designed interface, and involving staff and patrons in system design.