ROLE AND MISSION OF LIBRARY SERVICE
Library's role: Facilitate access to documents.
Library's mission: Support the mission of institution served.
Distinguish Means / Ends. Now new means.
LIBRARY TYPE
PROCESSES
MATERIALS
Paper Library
Paper/Card
Paper &c.
Automated L.
Computer
Paper &c.
Electronic L.
Computer
Electronic
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Library user
Computer
Electronic
PAPER LIBRARY PROBLEMS: Localized; Space needs; Inflexible; Catalog separate; User separate; Closed; Books in use; Time consuming; Scale; Geographical inequality.
COMPUTER / ELECTRONIC: Use from a distance; Multiple users; Use many ways.
AUTOMATED LIBRARY: Increased efficiency;
Catalog less separate; Link catalog +
bibliographies.
Otherwise same problems as Paper Library.
AUTOMATED LIBRARY EXPERIENCE: Standardization of data; Remote access to files; Cooperative use of files; Fewer duplicative files; Access to multiple files; Linking/combining files; More capability; Technological vulnerability.
CATALOG: Automation: Do same things better;
Redesign: Do different better things;
Redefine: Bibliographies, catalog, holdings records.
Network environment,
multiple files and multiple retrieval
options. "Union records".
ELECTRONIC LIBRARY: Documents not localized; Remote access;
Simultaneous use;
Flexible; Compact. Re-invent the Library!
Paper documents are best... except when: volatile;
manipulate; scan; remote; communicate.
Gaps become links: User - catalog - bibliography - document - user's work.
ROLES OF COLLECTIONS: Archival; Dispensing ($, change); Bibliographic; Symbolic.
FUTURE ROLES OF COLLECTION DEVELOPERS.
Selection to
anticipate demand (logistics).
Selection as an recommending / advisory role.
The collaboration between collection developers and
technical services in relation to network
resources.
CHANGES: Catalogs fuse with Bibliography; Shift from Local collections to Networked repositories; Users' work habits; Increased complexity (?); Shift from Service to Selfservice; Organization / governance; From Substitution to Redesign; Less geographical inequality.
For longer version see Redesigning library services article.