LIDA LIBRARIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE Interuniversity Centre

LIDA LIBRARIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE Interuniversity Centre Dubrovnik, Croatia 24 - 27 May 2000 Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University

Our theme: Libraries on the Internet & Internet in Libraries Our questions: Promises, Realities, Pitfalls Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University

Issues What do libraries actually do on the Internet? How do they do it? l What could libraries do on the Internet? l What does Internet actually do to libraries? To library users? l What could Internet do to libraries in the future? l Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 3

Going from Internet basics l A network of networks, bound by common technical standards – nobody owns it – nobody manages it - but many try Provides for communication, file transfers, cooperation l Provides for World Wide Web, l – but it is more than the Web Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 4

A major contemporary force l Affecting and transforming – societies on a global scale – business, economy, commerce – institutions, organizations, LIBRARIES – how people work, communicate, cooperate – librarians, information professionals – me, you Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 5

But Internet is NOT a source of all information l Many others are there and are valuable l Internet is not a savior for all information needs and requests l Internet has many limitations l – technical, economic, social Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 6

Major changes in libraries l Affected through evolution of DIGITAL LIBRARIES - changes in nature of: – COLLECTION what is now a collection? more than owned l digitizing, ‘publishing, ’ linking, new reference l – ACCESS distributive, “libraries without walls” l some restricted, other global l Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 7

changes. . . – SERVICES many new models to various user groups l providing Internet access - never enough l – COOPERATION new modes of sharing catalogs, collections l common purchases, consortia l – MANAGEMENT new management approaches; Web management l economics challenging, unsettling l Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 8

New knowledge l Internet requires – a new set of competencies l firmly build upon old ones – constant upgrade of knowledge & skills – constant improvement l But provides – new rewards & opportunities – reaching out to users more than ever Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 9

Tradition Internet doe NOT mean abandoning library tradition & values l Internet means l – application of true & tried principles & values to new situations – AND developing new ones Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 10

Opportunities l Ethical principles remain – but now an opportunity to be extended to new modes of access l In libraries: new modes always meant new opportunities – adjust, use, expand, innovate l At the same time critically examine everything Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 11

Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 12