Citation
O'Connor, S. (2006), "Editorial", Library Management, Vol. 27 No. 1/2. https://doi.org/10.1108/lm.2006.01527aaa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Editorial
Library Associations have been the glue and even the accelerant for the profession over the period of this career. They have been the path by which I have met the activists in my profession. The associations have been the organisational method which has enabled individuals from different libraries and different sectors to work together for the higher objectives and ideals of this library profession. Nothing can be taken for granted and this is no truer than in our own profession. Where the profession is being challenged by the “Google-phenomenon” so too is the library association. Where the library is being challenged by the breakdown of the “physical library”, so too is the library association. When it is clearly the case that the public view of libraries is that they are no longer relevant in a digital age, so we find the library associations searching for relevance.
This collection of articles, as well as additional pieces to come in the issues to come, explores the complex analyses and responses by professional colleagues across the globe. The articles explore the local ways in which the profession adapts to change and responds to the same global challenges. This is both refreshing and challenging. The profession is clearly very vital but intent on change.
I do commend this series of articles to you in that they come from so many sectors of our profession, from so many parts of our world and from so many leaders of our profession. They are truly interesting and stimulating.
It is also so sad to record the loss of Anne Clyde, as a member of our profession and as a very valued member of this journal’s Editorial Advisory Board. It is an untimely departure from our presence; it is a loss that we will each have to learn to live with and accommodate as best we can. The moments of our contributions to the debates of the profession are set in time, but the totality of our involvement can only be measured over the span of the career that is allocated to us. Anne excelled and will be fondly remembered and greatly respected by the profession and especially the school libraries. Thank you from me.
Stephen O’Connor