Description
This book reviews both the historical and future roles that public, private, academic and special libraries have in supporting and shaping society at local, regional, national and international levels. Globalisation, economic turmoil, political and ethnic tensions, rapid technology development, global warming and other key environmental factors are all combining in myriad and complex ways to affect everyone, both individually and collectively. Fundamental questions are being asked about the future of society and the bedrock organisations that underpin it. Libraries and Society considers the key aspects of library provision and the major challenges that libraries – however defined, managed, developed and provided – now face, and will continue to face in the future. It also focuses on the emerging chapter in cultural, economic and social history and the library’s role in serving diverse communities within this new era.
- Looks at all types of library in a period of major and discontinuous change, tackling the fundamental questions of the future of libraries in the context of major societal, political and environmental issues
- Poses important questions for the profession and policy development
- Fills a major gap in literature (recent discourse and debate on the future of democracy, for example, the library is rarely included)
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
List of figures, tables and case studies
About the authors
Chapter 1: Libraries, society and social responsibility
Introduction
Future environment
Technology push
Equity and equality of access
Education and digital literacy
Library as physical space
Value and impact
Re-thinking the library
Re-thinking librarianship
Conclusion
Chapter 2: I wouldn’t start from here … provision and use of UK libraries
Introduction
Library provision
Library use
Trends over time
The wider world
The wider context
Conclusion
Chapter 3: From people flows to knowledge flows
Introduction: a brief review of People Flows
The People Flows conclusions
Today’s learning context
Working out alternatives
Collaboration for access
Knowledge flows – the lifelong library
Library evolution in uncertain times
Conclusion: how might this happen?
Chapter 4: Scholarly communication and access to research outputs
Introduction
Journal prices
Academic library journal provision
Electronic information
Issues of access
Library access for external users
Open access
Open access journals
Self-archiving
Mandated deposit
Impact on libraries
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Free and equal access: a conundrum for the information society
Introduction
Free libraries – for those who can afford them
The price of free goods
Freedom of access: rights and limits
Access: equity and equality
Conclusion
Chapter 6: The more they change, the more they stay the same: public libraries and social inclusion
Introduction
What problem?
What has changed?
What has influenced libraries?
An international perspective
A strategy of urgent relevance
Systemic and cultural change
Political change
Conclusion: or is it all a conspiracy …?
Chapter 7: Widening access to information: the haves and the have-nots?
Introduction
The digital divide
Digital divide initiatives
Technological infrastructure
Uptake and use of ICT
E-accessibility and design for all
Education and training
Conclusion
Chapter 8: Tackling inequalities around the globe: the challenge for libraries
Introduction
The inequalities of information
Overlooking libraries
Bridging the divide: why information matters
New opportunities – but also new challenges
The technology gap
Managing, maintaining and keeping up
Access and use
Skilling users and skilling staff
Conclusion
Chapter 9: Islands in the cloud: libraries and the social life of information
Introduction
A world of experience
Taking apart architecture
Making Creative Cities flow
The social life of information
100-mile information diets
Islands in the cloud
Conclusion
Chapter 10: From the passive library to the learning library – it’s an emotional journey
Introduction
Change is needed
A new focus integrated with current facilities
It’s subtle and it’s emotional
It’s not optional: whatever space we create has emotional effects
Conclusion: some useful types and metaphors
Endnote
Chapter 11: The modern academic library
Introduction
The new agenda: a focus on learning
The exploitation of technology
A new model for service delivery
Conclusion
Chapter 12: Libraries and distance education
Introduction
Distance learning: an African context
Providing library services for distance education
Developments in telecommunications
Libraries and information literacy
What is ‘information literacy’?
The implications of information literacy
Conclusion
Chapter 13: Syllabus independence and the library
Introduction
The United Kingdom Open University
Syllabus independence
Course design – why academics need libraries
Conclusion
Chapter 14: Libraries in the information society: cooperation and identity
Introduction
The Dutch library system
The need for cooperation
Towards a digital library of the Netherlands
Conclusion: changing roles in a network of organisations
Chapter 15: Children’s reading habits and attitudes
Introduction
Children’s reading habits and attitudes
The involvement of parents in children’s reading
Preferences for reading materials
Effect of new technologies
Role of children’s librarians
Conclusion
Chapter 16: The user of tomorrow: young people and the future of library provision
Introduction
Reading and literacy
Children’s reading and early literacy
Libraries for children and young people
Professional children’s and schools librarians
New libraries for children
Conclusion
Chapter 17: Redefining the librarian
Introduction
The library profession: a historical perspective
Promoting the profession
Redefining the librarian
Looking forward
Conclusion
Chapter 18: Redefining librarianship
Introduction
Background
The present day
Professional status and membership
Reviewing the profession
Four dimensions of future professional practice
Advocacy, leadership and representation
Social analysis and the evidence base
Context and environment
Conclusion
Chapter 19: The future of librarians in the workforce: a US perspective
Introduction
Projections of supply and demand for librarians
IMLS-sponsored study on the future of librarians in the workforce
Demand for librarians
Reasons for librarians leaving the library workforce
Supply of librarians
Age of graduating librarians
Increased competition for librarians
US librarians and libraries during recessions
Attitudes towards library and information science (LIS) education
Attitudes towards work-related issues
Attitudes toward librarianship
Trends in librarian competencies
Conclusion
Chapter 20: The value of libraries: the relationship between change, evaluation and role
Introduction
What is evaluation and why is it important?
Recent key trends and frameworks
Value as a key measure
Values and value: a possible resolution
Conclusion: value, values and transcendence
Chapter 21: The future of and for library and information services: a public library view
Introduction
Future roles and challenges
Reading
Information
Digital library, digital exclusion, and Digital Britain
Supporting democratic living
Lifelong learning
Twenty-first-century space
Twenty-first-century customers
The death of the public library?
Reflection
Conclusion
Chapter 22: The future of public libraries and their services: a Danish perspective
Introduction
The death and rebirth of libraries
Re-inventing the public library
The Danish situation
Policies for the new library
Library space
Developments and examples
Why invest in libraries now?
Local self-service libraries
New partnerships and reaching out
Conclusion: marketing a must
Chapter 23: Library landscapes: digital developments
Introduction
Societal change
Different communities, different responses
Digital content
Matching user support to user needs
Student use of libraries
Libraries and an online presence
Aggregation of content
Libraries as place
Virtual libraries
Conclusion
Chapter 24: Towards Library 2.0: building the library of the future
Introduction
The context for change
A changing education and research landscape
Changes in university libraries
Current technical and social trends
Planning for Library 2.0
Working across university services and functions
An institution-wide approach to planning systems
Other trends: new models for delivery of services
What does this mean for libraries?
The changing role of the librarian
Conclusion
End-note: engagement with national and international debate
Chapter 25: Library 2050
Introduction
If libraries did not exist, would someone invent them?
Turbulent times
Playing consequences: all for one or free for all?
This is your future: towards Library 2050
Conclusion
Index
