Brack Stovall

•Library Technology Coordinator who is currently working on his Master’s in Library Science (MLS)
•Been working at the Radford Public Library for over 14 years

-Also runs city and RPL website (click on photo for a direct link)

Question One: What training is typically required for this field?

Brack:
Nothing beats just dead-on experience and curiosity. Most of this comes through tinkering and having the latitude to “try” solutions to everyday problems. The first time I tinkered with a computer was with my sister’s Win 3.1 video settings and I lost everything on the monitor. I had to scramble to figure out how to fix what I had broken. Great experience.

Question Two:What educational background / training do you have?

Brack:
About 40 quarter hours in computer science and programming at Virginia Tech. Twelve hours in education technology (VT). Worked in same programming

Question Three:What led you to this field?

Brack:
Luck! The fact that I had some experience with computers before anyone else. I worked in 1990-92 in a library converting to an automated system (ILS). Returned to Virginia where I was snatched up by libraries following suit. Then ended up working within the Blacksburg Electric Village teaching.

Question Four:What are the drawbacks of your field?

Brack:
•High demand and everyone thinks you have the answer to their tech problems.
•Watching people get taken by “repair people.” Technology inspires predatory behavior.

Question Five: What are the perks?

Brack:
•The new toys!
•Seeing people light up when they understand the basics of technology in order for them to accomplish a task.