Libraries and Society

Wendy Evans is the Head of Library at the University of St. Mark and St John, UK. She has published and lectured in the field of electronic journal and database usage, access versus ownership of journals, and has already co-edited and co-authored four books with David Baker. David Baker has published widely in the field of Library and Information Studies, with 19 monographs and over 100 articles to his credit. He has spoken worldwide at numerous conferences and led workshops and seminars. His other key professional interest and expertise has been in the field of human resources, where he has also been active in major national projects. He has held senior positions at several institutions, including as Principal and Chief Executive of Plymouth Marjon University, and Emeritus Professor of Strategic Information Management. He has also been Deputy Chair of the Joint Information Systems Committee (Jisc). Until recently he was a member of the Board of Governors of the Universities of Northampton and South Wales. He is Chair of the Board of the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. He is a leader in the field of library and information science.

"It is a must read for thinking librarians, library scholars and policy makers." --The Library Herald

• ForewordPrefaceAcknowledgementsList of abbreviationsList of figures, tables and case studiesAbout the authorsChapter 1: Libraries, society and social responsibilityIntroductionFuture environmentTechnology pushEquity and equality of accessEducation and digital literacyLibrary as physical spaceValue and impactRe-thinking the libraryRe-thinking librarianshipConclusionChapter 2: I wouldn’t start from here … provision and use of UK librariesIntroductionLibrary provisionLibrary useTrends over timeThe wider worldThe wider contextConclusionChapter 3: From people flows to knowledge flowsIntroduction: a brief review of People FlowsThe People Flows conclusionsToday’s learning contextWorking out alternativesCollaboration for accessKnowledge flows – the lifelong libraryLibrary evolution in uncertain timesConclusion: how might this happen?Chapter 4: Scholarly communication and access to research outputsIntroductionJournal pricesAcademic library journal provisionElectronic informationIssues of accessLibrary access for external usersOpen accessOpen access journalsSelf-archivingMandated depositImpact on librariesConclusionChapter 5: Free and equal access: a conundrum for the information societyIntroductionFree libraries – for those who can afford themThe price of free goodsFreedom of access: rights and limitsAccess: equity and equalityConclusionChapter 6: The more they change, the more they stay the same: public libraries and social inclusionIntroductionWhat problem?What has changed?What has influenced libraries?An international perspectiveA strategy of urgent relevanceSystemic and cultural changePolitical changeConclusion: or is it all a conspiracy …?Chapter 7: Widening access to information: the haves and the have-nots?IntroductionThe digital divideDigital divide initiativesTechnological infrastructureUptake and use of ICTE-accessibility and design for allEducation and trainingConclusionChapter 8: Tackling inequalities around the globe: the challenge for librariesIntroductionThe inequalities of informationOverlooking librariesBridging the divide: why information mattersNew opportunities – but also new challengesThe technology gapManaging, maintaining and keeping upAccess and useSkilling users and skilling staffConclusionChapter 9: Islands in the cloud: libraries and the social life of informationIntroductionA world of experienceTaking apart architectureMaking Creative Cities flowThe social life of information100-mile information dietsIslands in the cloudConclusionChapter 10: From the passive library to the learning library – it’s an emotional journeyIntroductionChange is neededA new focus integrated with current facilitiesIt’s subtle and it’s emotionalIt’s not optional: whatever space we create has emotional effectsConclusion: some useful types and metaphorsEndnoteChapter 11: The modern academic libraryIntroductionThe new agenda: a focus on learningThe exploitation of technologyA new model for service deliveryConclusionChapter 12: Libraries and distance educationIntroductionDistance learning: an African contextProviding library services for distance educationDevelopments in telecommunicationsLibraries and information literacyWhat is ‘information literacy’?The implications of information literacyConclusionChapter 13: Syllabus independence and the libraryIntroductionThe United Kingdom Open UniversitySyllabus independenceCourse design – why academics need librariesConclusionChapter 14: Libraries in the information society: cooperation and identityIntroductionThe Dutch library systemThe need for cooperationTowards a digital library of the NetherlandsConclusion: changing roles in a network of organisationsChapter 15: Children’s reading habits and attitudesIntroductionChildren’s reading habits and attitudesThe involvement of parents in children’s readingPreferences for reading materialsEffect of new technologiesRole of children’s librariansConclusionChapter 16: The user of tomorrow: young people and the future of library provisionIntroductionReading and literacyChildren’s reading and early literacyLibraries for children and young peopleProfessional children’s and schools librariansNew libraries for childrenConclusionChapter 17: Redefining the librarianIntroductionThe library profession: a historical perspectivePromoting the professionRedefining the librarianLooking forwardConclusionChapter 18: Redefining librarianshipIntroductionBackgroundThe present dayProfessional status and membershipReviewing the professionFour dimensions of future professional practiceAdvocacy, leadership and representationSocial analysis and the evidence baseContext and environmentConclusionChapter 19: The future of librarians in the workforce: a US perspectiveIntroductionProjections of supply and demand for librariansIMLS-sponsored study on the future of librarians in the workforceDemand for librariansReasons for librarians leaving the library workforceSupply of librariansAge of graduating librariansIncreased competition for librariansUS librarians and libraries during recessionsAttitudes towards library and information science (LIS) educationAttitudes towards work-related issuesAttitudes toward librarianshipTrends in librarian competenciesConclusionChapter 20: The value of libraries: the relationship between change, evaluation and roleIntroductionWhat is evaluation and why is it important?Recent key trends and frameworksValue as a key measureValues and value: a possible resolutionConclusion: value, values and transcendenceChapter 21: The future of and for library and information services: a public library viewIntroductionFuture roles and challengesReadingInformationDigital library, digital exclusion, and Digital BritainSupporting democratic livingLifelong learningTwenty-first-century spaceTwenty-first-century customersThe death of the public library?ReflectionConclusionChapter 22: The future of public libraries and their services: a Danish perspectiveIntroductionThe death and rebirth of librariesRe-inventing the public libraryThe Danish situationPolicies for the new libraryLibrary spaceDevelopments and examplesWhy invest in libraries now?Local self-service librariesNew partnerships and reaching outConclusion: marketing a mustChapter 23: Library landscapes: digital developmentsIntroductionSocietal changeDifferent communities, different responsesDigital contentMatching user support to user needsStudent use of librariesLibraries and an online presenceAggregation of contentLibraries as placeVirtual librariesConclusionChapter 24: Towards Library 2.0: building the library of the futureIntroductionThe context for changeA changing education and research landscapeChanges in university librariesCurrent technical and social trendsPlanning for Library 2.0Working across university services and functionsAn institution-wide approach to planning systemsOther trends: new models for delivery of servicesWhat does this mean for libraries?The changing role of the librarianConclusionEnd-note: engagement with national and international debateChapter 25: Library 2050IntroductionIf libraries did not exist, would someone invent them?Turbulent timesPlaying consequences: all for one or free for all?This is your future: towards Library 2050ConclusionIndex