The visible and invisible hand of computer technology in the library organization: A study of Wisconsin academic libraries

This research study is a two-tiered survey study investigating the effects of computer technology within the academic library organization. The first tier used the interview method in which eleven (11) on-site visits were conducted in small and medium-sized Wisconsin academic libraries. Based on the face-to-face interviews, a survey questionnaire was constructed and sent to all qualified informants in fourteen (14) Wisconsin academic libraries. A scale of change to gauge the impact of computer technology was used. Level 1 was defined as "Behavior change"; Level 2 as "Rule change"; and Level 3, "Structure/Power change." The changes (caused by computer technology) were found to be very limited on Level 1, and minimal on Levels 2 and 3 in these small and medium-sized Wisconsin academic libraries.