Libraries and Society: Role, Responsibility and Future in an Age of Change(Chandos Information Professional Series)

This book rekindles a debate that is anchored in the past as it charges into the future. Three decades have passed since the last Golden Age of Libraries - a time when the social and political unrest of a post baby-boomer generation forced libraries to reconsider their social responsibilities. The problems of today are providing a similar catalyst. Faced with a growing divide between rich and poor, a crumbling environment and frightening public health concerns, society is increasingly looking for solutions that make good, ethical sense. In this crucible of current events, libraries are being shaped by tremendous pressure to find their place in the networked world's information marketplace. The authors of this book - both librarians with international experience - seek to define the role of the public library and information professional on this new frontier. The book includes a review of current practice and a look at future possibilities as it examines the need for a social conscience in public libraries.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Preface Acknowledgements List of abbreviations List of figures, tables and case studies About the authors Chapter 1: Libraries, society and social responsibility Introduction Future environment Technology push Equity and equality of access Education and digital literacy Library as physical space Value and impact Re-thinking the library Re-thinking librarianship Conclusion Chapter 2: I wouldn’t start from here … provision and use of UK libraries Introduction Library provision Library use Trends over time The wider world The wider context Conclusion Chapter 3: From people flows to knowledge flows Introduction: a brief review of People Flows The People Flows conclusions Today’s learning context Working out alternatives Collaboration for access Knowledge flows – the lifelong library Library evolution in uncertain times Conclusion: how might this happen? Chapter 4: Scholarly communication and access to research outputs Introduction Journal prices Academic library journal provision Electronic information Issues of access Library access for external users Open access Open access journals Self-archiving Mandated deposit Impact on libraries Conclusion Chapter 5: Free and equal access: a conundrum for the information society Introduction Free libraries – for those who can afford them The price of free goods Freedom of access: rights and limits Access: equity and equality Conclusion Chapter 6: The more they change, the more they stay the same: public libraries and social inclusion Introduction What problem? What has changed? What has influenced libraries? An international perspective A strategy of urgent relevance Systemic and cultural change Political change Conclusion: or is it all a conspiracy …? Chapter 7: Widening access to information: the haves and the have-nots? Introduction The digital divide Digital divide initiatives Technological infrastructure Uptake and use of ICT E-accessibility and design for all Education and training Conclusion Chapter 8: Tackling inequalities around the globe: the challenge for libraries Introduction The inequalities of information Overlooking libraries Bridging the divide: why information matters New opportunities – but also new challenges The technology gap Managing, maintaining and keeping up Access and use Skilling users and skilling staff Conclusion Chapter 9: Islands in the cloud: libraries and the social life of information Introduction A world of experience Taking apart architecture Making Creative Cities flow The social life of information 100-mile information diets Islands in the cloud Conclusion Chapter 10: From the passive library to the learning library – it’s an emotional journey Introduction Change is needed A new focus integrated with current facilities It’s subtle and it’s emotional It’s not optional: whatever space we create has emotional effects Conclusion: some useful types and metaphors Endnote Chapter 11: The modern academic library Introduction The new agenda: a focus on learning The exploitation of technology A new model for service delivery Conclusion Chapter 12: Libraries and distance education Introduction Distance learning: an African context Providing library services for distance education Developments in telecommunications Libraries and information literacy What is ‘information literacy’? The implications of information literacy Conclusion Chapter 13: Syllabus independence and the library Introduction The United Kingdom Open University Syllabus independence Course design – why academics need libraries Conclusion Chapter 14: Libraries in the information society: cooperation and identity Introduction The Dutch library system The need for cooperation Towards a digital library of the Netherlands Conclusion: changing roles in a network of organisations Chapter 15: Children’s reading habits and attitudes Introduction Children’s reading habits and attitudes The involvement of parents in children’s reading Preferences for reading materials Effect of new technologies Role of children’s librarians Conclusion Chapter 16: The user of tomorrow: young people and the future of library provision Introduction Reading and literacy Children’s reading and early literacy Libraries for children and young people Professional children’s and schools librarians New libraries for children Conclusion Chapter 17: Redefining the librarian Introduction The library profession: a historical perspective Promoting the profession Redefining the librarian Looking forward Conclusion Chapter 18: Redefining librarianship Introduction Background The present day Professional status and membership Reviewing the profession Four dimensions of future professional practice Advocacy, leadership and representation Social analysis and the evidence base Context and environment Conclusion Chapter 19: The future of librarians in the workforce: a US perspective Introduction Projections of supply and demand for librarians IMLS-sponsored study on the future of librarians in the workforce Demand for librarians Reasons for librarians leaving the library workforce Supply of librarians Age of graduating librarians Increased competition for librarians US librarians and libraries during recessions Attitudes towards library and information science (LIS) education Attitudes towards work-related issues Attitudes toward librarianship Trends in librarian competencies Conclusion Chapter 20: The value of libraries: the relationship between change, evaluation and role Introduction What is evaluation and why is it important? Recent key trends and frameworks Value as a key measure Values and value: a possible resolution Conclusion: value, values and transcendence Chapter 21: The future of and for library and information services: a public library view Introduction Future roles and challenges Reading Information Digital library, digital exclusion, and Digital Britain Supporting democratic living Lifelong learning Twenty-first-century space Twenty-first-century customers The death of the public library? Reflection Conclusion Chapter 22: The future of public libraries and their services: a Danish perspective Introduction The death and rebirth of libraries Re-inventing the public library The Danish situation Policies for the new library Library space Developments and examples Why invest in libraries now? Local self-service libraries New partnerships and reaching out Conclusion: marketing a must Chapter 23: Library landscapes: digital developments Introduction Societal change Different communities, different responses Digital content Matching user support to user needs Student use of libraries Libraries and an online presence Aggregation of content Libraries as place Virtual libraries Conclusion Chapter 24: Towards Library 2.0: building the library of the future Introduction The context for change A changing education and research landscape Changes in university libraries Current technical and social trends Planning for Library 2.0 Working across university services and functions An institution-wide approach to planning systems Other trends: new models for delivery of services What does this mean for libraries? The changing role of the librarian Conclusion End-note: engagement with national and international debate Chapter 25: Library 2050 Introduction If libraries did not exist, would someone invent them? Turbulent times Playing consequences: all for one or free for all? This is your future: towards Library 2050 Conclusion Index

About the Author :
Professor David Baker is Principal of University of St Mark & St John. He has published widely in the field of Library and Information Studies, with fourteen monographs and some 100 articles to his credit. He has spoken at numerous conferences, led workshops and seminars and has undertaken consultancy work in most countries in the European Union, along with work in Bulgaria, Slovenia, Ethiopia, Kuwait, Nigeria and the Sudan. Wendy Evans is Head of Library at UCP Marjon. She has a keen interest in the Internet and electronic resources and, in particular, access to journals and databases. Wendy also has an expertise in data protection and freedom of information. She has published, lectured and researched electronic journal and database usage and access versus ownership of journals. Wendy has recently been awarded an Associate Teaching Fellowship at UCP Marjon.

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