Why is new technology so intimidating?

Even the simplest technological stuffs seem so daunting and confusing.

I just began a Spring Internship at Pitt's Frick Fine Arts Library. Since I have just begun (and the students don't seem to be too into the library until they have a paper due!) things have been slow. I don't have a clear defined role in the library yet, somewhere between student library worker and librarian. I know, it's a large somewhere between to be.

I've been working the circulation desk in the mornings before any student workers arrive. Seemed simple enough I thought. Except not! I have this weird card reader thing and this gun that scans bar codes??!! I've never encountered these foreign objects in my sheltered life. Now I start wishing I had taken that job at Target years ago! I always slide the ID card the wrong way and I haven't seemed to be able to grab the gun without dropping it.

Initially, I felt as if I was never going to be able to overcome my ineptitude at these new technological things. But, after a brief seating at the circ desk and a few patient patrons (okay, maybe more than a few), I'm slinging the radar gun around like I'm Annie Oakley of the Library.

I've discovered it was more my own fear and lack of confidence in my abilities that caused me to freak out over these devices. Not the devices or the technology itself. Library school, and any studying, is about given the student the ability to confront their fears and the tools necessary to overcome and learn from them.

But, with that said, let's not even talk about the sensitizer machine!