Publisher's Synopsis
This focuses on how and why libraries and information centres are finding it necessary to change direction and diversify in order to adapt to the threats and challenges posed by the Internet, consumer online and interactive television services. For libraries to stay in the game, they will need to make their collections and stock available electronically over the World Wide Web and other online services. This implies new roles and skills for staff, investigating the future of library and information services and developing new ones both before and as the need arises, as well as re-examining organizational objectives and pricing structures.;Each chapter is written by a leading international LIS practitioner and the range of papers covers issues and topics such as: decentralizing the librarian and putting him/her where the user is; how libraries and information centres are regrouping and consolidating their positions by offering new and extended services and resources; the kinds of technologies needed in order for libraries to keep in touch with end-user needs; virtual library infrastructure and management aspects; how far libraries have come and what developments they have taken into account in their planning in the face of the Internet threat; and the impact of electronic information resources on both library staff and users.
