When I was attending library school in 1996, the first thing we had to do was pass a Technology Test to show that we had at least mastered some rudimentary uses of the computer. Among the tasks were to send an email, link to some appropriate websites, do some simple research using a database. I was terrified and sure I would never be a librarian ever ever ever. We had four weeks to send in our assignments, which meant that if you didn’t know how to do it, you could learn. I used the very clear tutorials they had fashioned for us, passed with flying colors, and felt very proud of myself; much more so than getting into grad school in the first place.

But that initial jolt of terror has stayed with me. Whenever I now introduce a new kind of technology or even just a new way of doing something to either students or teachers, I remember how hard it seemed to me back then. The students, of course, are fearless but many of my staff are still very tentative when it comes to trying something new on their computers and I think they appreciate a sympathetic ear. I know I did.