Libraries and Society CHANDOS INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL SERIES Series Editor: Ruth Rikowski (e-mail: [email protected]) Chandos’ new series of books are aimed at the busy information professional. They have been specially commissioned to provide the reader with an authoritative view of current thinking. They are designed to provide easy-to-read and (most importantly) practical coverage of topics that are of interest to librarians and other information professionals. If you would like a full listing of current and forthcoming titles, please visit our website www.chandospublishing.com or e-mail [email protected] or telephone +44 (0) 1223 499140. New authors: we are always pleased to receive ideas for new titles; if you would like to write a book for Chandos, please contact Dr Glyn Jones on e-mail [email protected] or telephone number +44 (0) 1993 848726. Bulk orders: some organisations buy a number of copies of our books. If you are interested in doing this, we would be pleased to discuss a discount. Please e-mail [email protected] or telephone +44 (0) 1223 499140. Libraries and Society Role, responsibility and future in an age of change E DITED BY D B W E AVID AKER AND ENDY VANS Oxford Cambridge New Delhi Chandos Publishing Hexagon House Avenue 4 Station Lane Witney Oxford OX28 4BN UK Tel: +44 (0) 1993 848726 E-mail: [email protected] www.chandospublishing.com Chandos Publishing is an imprint of Woodhead Publishing Limited Woodhead Publishing Limited 80 High Street Sawston Cambridge CB22 3HJ UK Tel: +44 (0) 1223 499140 Fax: +44 (0) 1223 832819 www.woodheadpublishing.com First published in 2011 ISBN: 978 1 84334 131 4 © The editors and the contributors, 2011 British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the Publishers. This publication may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published without the prior consent of the Publishers. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The Publishers make no representation, express or implied, with regard to the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and cannot accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions. The material contained in this publication constitutes general guidelines only and does not represent to be advice on any particular matter. No reader or purchaser should act on the basis of material contained in this publication without first taking professional advice appropriate to their particular circumstances. Any screenshots in this publication are the copyright of the website owner(s), unless indicated otherwise. Typeset in the UKby Concerto. Printed in the UK and USA. Foreword Ellen R. Tise In the current environment of the exponential growth of information, the library, in all its forms, is the institution that is most representative of a growing and developing society. Therefore, it must be acknowledged that libraries are indispensable, as they are, by their very nature, the conduit for the capture, preservation and delivery of ‘our nation’s heritage, the heritage of humanity, the records of its triumphs and failures, of mankind’s intellectual, scientific, and artistic achievements’, as described by Vartan Gregorian, President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2007.1 Libraries have always been – and will continue in that vein to be – that societal institution that propagates democracy and growth and development. However, the inference that the exponential growth of information would decrease the problems of the world is a red herring. There are, rather, a growing divide between rich and poor, a crumbling environment and frightening health concerns, amongst others. This book by leading experts probing the changing role of the library addresses core issues to resolve a myriad of associated problems. There is an acceptance that the library as a concept is in need of redefinition and that in this redefined paradigm there will be interrogation of the place of the library and librarians in a virtual environment. In the virtual realm, it is imperative that there be a thorough integration of interaction with librarians and libraries. Given that libraries, in whatever format, are critical for growth and development, there has to be a close examination of the role of libraries as information navigators and innovative distributors of trusted and relevant information. This publication pays significant attention to the changing role of the socially responsible library. xvii Libraries and Society This changing landscape is one in which libraries’ functions are dominated by the Internet and the new kinds of provision and usage that are possible in a digital world. This book investigates key aspects of digital libraries and considers the relationship between digital libraries and knowledge creation and use in different communities. It considers the view that there is an urgent need for libraries to develop a strong online presence in addition to their physical existence in order to remain relevant in today’s online world – especially because they are social institutions, rooted in social communities. In keeping with the principle of social commitment is the use of social networking tools such as wikis, blogs and podcasts to deliver an efficient and effective service to the clients of the library. Libraries, as part of their social responsibility, must use available technologies to provide innovative information services to societies that are becoming ever more culturally diverse. Libraries must interrogate future scenarios and challenges, and consider their roles in supporting and celebrating diversity in society. Because there are major drives to develop platforms for the delivery of unhindered access to information and technologies that have the capacity to realise such a commitment, libraries must leave no stone unturned in ensuring freedom of access to information. In the current technological environment, the Internet has the capacity to provide equal and equitable access to information. Such provision must be protected and developed in support of democratic processes, freedom of speech and intellectual freedom. Libraries have always been committed to challenging oppressive processes that restrict access to information, and they must continue to uphold this as a pillar of good library practice. This book examines the upholding of these freedoms to ensure positive social change in the future. However, while the need to uphold freedom of access to information is recognised, a significant reality is the growing divide between the ‘information rich’ and the ‘information poor’. This divide is exacerbated in the digital era, when so much more information is available than ever before but so many are deprived of even the most basic access to simple or low-level resources. The divide is not synonymous with the divide between the developed and developing worlds – it has become so infectious that it has created communities within communities even in the developed world. There is an examination, in this book, of the concept of the information poor, of the various ways in which they can emerge and the reasons for their existence; it considers the history, current position and likely future scenarios with regard to the xviii Foreword information divide and considers how libraries can best bridge the gap between ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’. In the midst of this divide between the information rich and the information poor comes the birth of a new divide, the ‘generation’ divide, as traditional library services grow less and less popular among younger people. This generation divide is growing as Internet usage increases. However, migration to the digital and virtual environment is not the only solution, as studies suggest that there are groups of ‘new generation’ users of information services who have simple needs and welcome physical as much as virtual contact. This book interrogates the current needs of younger users (and non-users) of libraries and information and looks at how these may change, develop and be best satisfied in the future. Widening participation brings with it greater diversity: how will this best be accommodated? In this changing information services paradigm – one that is influenced by rapidly changing technology – there has to be concomitant change in the education and training of the new generation of librarians. There has to be an evaluation of the future requirements of and for library and information professionals and of how the profession – and education for librarianship – needs to change in order to accommodate the challenges ahead. Experts on the issue of education and training for the new- generation librarian consider future concepts of professionalism. Further, there is an examination of the need for a different type of information professional that has been brought about by major and possibly discontinuous changes in role as a result of changes in library and information use and delivery, and of the need for ways of teaching information literacy. The concept, principles and implementation of information literacy become ever more critical in an age of abundance of information, and especially of information that has the potential to have a negative social impact. Libraries and librarians have a significant role to play in shaping future societies by imparting critical information literacy skills, so that the future generation of information seekers can differentiate between trusted and relevant information and ‘negative information’, and use that trusted and relevant information for the growth and development of both the individual and society at large. This is an excellent compilation of writings by experts and will make excellent and absorbing reading. The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), being the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users, and as an association working towards contributing to the shaping of future societies, is proud to be associated with this publication. This book xix Libraries and Society contributes significant insights on the meaning of future library and information practice for the growth and development of a changing society. The changing role of libraries, librarians and library practices makes the profession dynamic and relevant in its endeavours to contribute to the shaping of future societies. It is beyond debate that information is a critical element in a developing society. Therefore, the repackaging of information and the delivery of that repackaged information in a format that is relevant to and in keeping with the trends of the day must underpin future librarianship. IFLA seeks to provide guidance to the profession on the delivery of services that shape future societies, and applauds the contribution of this publication to shaping the library and information practice of tomorrow. This book has the hallmarks of an exciting and absorbing publication. Note 1. http://www.laurabushfoundation.org/Gregorian.pdf. xx Preface Libraries have a long and honourable history – almost as long as that of the written word; and the library as concept, collection and service has changed and developed to meet new challenges and altered environments. Underneath all the different guises in which libraries have emerged over the centuries, there remains that key, core responsibility of the library as a force for good – educational, economic and social – within society. But the world is changing rapidly, and libraries must change with their altered and altering environment if they are to maintain and, indeed, enhance their status and position for the future. This is particularly true as we move to an ever more digital world in which the Internet is all. This book, then, aims to explore the role, responsibilities and future of libraries. We have taken a broad, international perspective and included particular contributions from Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States of America. The various chapters encompass the past, current and likely future position of the library – public, academic and special – both in the UK and more generally. Within our overall framework, we have chosen to include chapters on the key challenges facing libraries in present-day society, and notably: equity and equality of access to information; libraries, research, education and the scholarly communications process; the library as a physical space; the library user of tomorrow; the future of librarians and of librarianship as a profession; library collaboration; and the development of libraries over the next 10, 20, 30 years and beyond. In researching for this book, we found that, while there is a wealth of material on specific aspects of the library’s future role and responsibilities, there is much less currently available on the overarching issues and possible ways forward – at least in one book. We are well aware that this present publication can be only one contribution among xxi Libraries and Society many to the subject, but, in this context, we hope that this collection of essays by experts in the field stimulates significant further research and discourse. All web links were correct at the time of checking (March 2011). David Baker and Wendy Evans March 2011 xxii