Libraries : HUNTINGTON BEACH : Library Moves Into Field of High Tech

As libraries have evolved from book depositories into multidimensional centers offering videocassettes, compact discs and computers, the Huntington Central Library has developed Orange County’s premier public multimedia center.

Today, as research moves into the field of “hypermedia,” the melding of video and computer technologies, the Huntington Beach facility is preparing to become the county’s first library to offer the new gadgetry to the public.

As officials in the library’s media-services center envision the future, patrons, perhaps in as little as two years, might be able to come to the center equipped with nothing more than an idea and create an entire video production--complete with computer animation, graphics and titles.

“The technology is not really defined at this point. But it’s seen as the next generation of great things in computer technology,” library supervisor Bill Miller said. “So far, there are just some samples available here and there. But as it develops, we hope to have units . . . to make this available to the general public.”

If research develops as expected, the center could have the capability soon to create professional-quality videos for businesses, civic groups or anyone else who wants to make a flashy presentation, library officials said. Students’ written reports may evolve into video reports, they add.

The technology also might enhance patrons’ accessibility to existing information.

For example, one may be able to view a specific portion of a book by calling it up on a computer terminal. In addition to the written information, the computer excerpt might include visual and musical augmentation.

“What we’re talking about is the merging of various media and different educational information,” Miller said. “It’s very exciting technology. But you almost need to see it demonstrated to really get an idea of it.”

The first glimpse of technology that the library will offer the public will be a snippet of self-promotion for the facility, Miller said.

Miller and other computer technicians are developing a hypermedia-enhanced video production touting the $5-million library expansion due to get under way next year. Officials hope to use the video to help fund-raising efforts for the planned three-phase expansion, Miller said.

The planned technology is expected to enhance the library’s already-ample supply of six computers, laser printers and a catalogue of more than 200 software titles.

The center is expected to continue expanding its software collection, but the added terminals will have to wait until the new wing is added to the library and technology continues to advance, said Gary Shippey, the library’s media-resources coordinator.

“And within two years,” Shippey said, “who knows where the technology will be.”