The 21st-century library: A whole new ball game?

Abstract

Over the last few years the shift in emphasis from print to electronic collections has posed a new series of challenges for libraries. Issues regarding physical logistics are now being replaced by URL management and appropriate copy, licence agreements, linking problems and, first and foremost, the growing challenge of how to make users aware of the virtual cornucopia of e-books, journal articles, text and images. In addition, users expect this information in a one-box interface. With a reduction in many libraries' staffing, this session asked: how do we cope?