Editorial

Citation

Walther, J.H. (1999), "Editorial", The Bottom Line, Vol. 12 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/bl.1999.17012daa.001

Editorial

As I complete this issue, I realize with this group of the articles, how different our world is from a generation ago. Technology has forever changed our relationships, personal and professional; social and commercial. Yet, as times change, we can look to see how libraries and information centers continue to be the nexus of people's information strategy. We live in an age of contradictions, and, at best, we live to understand these rapid changes in our lives and organizations. We view our lives differently when we leave our house to enjoy coffee at an espresso bar and do our banking at home. A generation ago, the opposite would be true. Keeping such a dichotomy alive in our minds, we must move forward to keep our libraries alive and vital amongst rapid paced change everywhere around us.

Within this issue, you will find such strategies to keep pace with change and allow yourself to adapt and understand the library of today. Managers will appreciate the hands on approach of Eve Randall's article on budgeting, where she guides us toward a radical shift in financial strategy with fund accounting. Two articles examine the Internet in other interesting ways. One, using the Internet as a financial, shopping and management tool and the other looking statistically at where people are utilizing Internet sources within one academic library in the USA. It is a fascinating look at how both our resources are being used and what librarians should consider about such users. Lastly, take special note of the piece on geographical information systems (GIS) offered here. Several cost and time saving strategies are presented to help librarians and managers provide services to library users for these resources.

It is in this issue and with great pleasure, that I offer the return of the On library/vendor relations column. As an editor, armed with a library degree, Elizabeth R. Mansfield offers sage words of wisdom on how librarians and vendors must utilize opportunities to send feedback to vendors and publishers to ensure the future of innovative products in our libraries. The lens she views these issues through is a librarian's and her future articles will address issues universal through all types of libraries, since we all work with a variety of vendors.

In conclusion, I come to Dr Holt's column on Economics. It is noteworthy and spiritual, at this time of great change in our profession. To respond to great change, we must change, adapt, yet most importantly grow. As financial managers, librarians, trustees, or administrators, each has a role in adapting the library of today to serve the users of tomorrow.

James H. Walther