The Digital Factor in Information and Library Services: International Yearbook of Library and Information Management 2002‐2003

Citation

Clark, J. (2003), "The Digital Factor in Information and Library Services: International Yearbook of Library and Information Management 2002‐2003", Library Management, Vol. 24 No. 8/9, pp. 450-451. https://doi.org/10.1108/lm.2003.24.8_9.450.1

Inevitably, a collection of essays about how digital initiatives are affecting library and information services is going to present a fragmented view. The focus of this collection is intentionally broad, ranging from organisational to technical issues, from new models of libraries to new options for delivering digital materials to specific types of users.

In addition to taking this deliberately cross‐sectoral approach, the volume strives to provide a global view. The list of contributors includes practitioners and academics from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa, as well as the UK and the USA, along with Taiwan and Botswana. Most contributors have drawn on examples from a number of different parts of the world. The result is a wide‐ranging collection that covers a great many aspects of library science and information management.

This is the third volume of the International Yearbook of Library and Information Management (IYLIM) that New Zealander Gary Gorman has edited, the previous two volumes focusing on collection management and information services in an electronic environment.

There are 16 chapters, arranged under six sections headed: In praise of the digital revolution?, Institutional models and finance, Books and “readers”, Reference services, Collection management and Standards and technology. The editorial decision to map the territory around these six themes helps to maintain a library‐centric view of the all‐pervasive digital factor. This is not to say that the individual essays do not challenge us to think beyond what libraries are to what they can be in the future. The opening essay by Dr Marilyn Deegan offers a set of principles that define a digital library. While these principles echo the themes selected to structure the collection, Deegan notes that in the fast‐moving digital world, librarians have many opportunities to move into new territories.

In Part 2, Professor Peter Brophy proposes that the changes brought by the digital revolution mean we need to think deeply about what new models of the library might be realised in the digital age. Part 3 considers how different groups of users engage with digital resources and the new structures required supporting utilisation of electronic information.

The largest section is Part 4 which looks at the impact of digitisation on the provision of services to users. Two essays consider Web‐based reference services, one looks at the convergence of digital libraries with managed learning environments and Diane Kresh provides a view of the outreach role librarians can play in bringing global information to the local communities most in need.

Part 5 looks at retrospective digitisation and provides a review of some of the methods librarians are using to evaluate digital collections. Part 6 gets down to basics, with an essay by Dan Dorner providing an overview of recent metadata developments and a brief look to two other critical issues, organisation of web‐based information and the growing obligation to address security and meet public policy requirements to protect privacy and safeguard free speech.

The volume does not break new ground but all of the essays are stimulating, well‐written, timely and practical. Each contribution has been refereed by an international board and the standard is consistently high. The references provided at the end of each chapter are generally very current, and many are to references available on the Web. There is surprisingly little overlap in the references, suggesting a good editorial hand selecting and guiding the individual contributors. The volume has a comprehensive index, and this helps add value to the collection. I recommend the volume to practising librarians, for whom it will raise a host of issues and questions that are critically important if the digital factor is to result in improved library and information services.