Some recent articles (US studies):
The Well-Wired Use Libraries More
http://www.readingrockets.org/news/21287
Study: Young adults heavy library users
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071230/ap_on_hi_te/internet_libraries
Survey Challenges Belief that the Internet Reduces Library Use
http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/010208.shtm
Survey: Techie Gen Y Is Also Library-Savvy
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Survey-Techie-Gen-Y-Is-Also-Library-Savvy-60970.html
(Generation Y = http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=define%3A+generation+y)
I know these are US studies, but in the absence of UK studies I think we can
extrapolate.
It seems to me that the Internet wets the appetite of people for knowledge,
and that the library is recognised as the place to find 'organised'
knowledge. People I think go through phases of wanting to know, and the
library is recognised as being just as valid as the page level indexing of
Google. We need to meet expectations.
So what does this mean for libraries. I would say we have to meet
expectations for 'organised' knowledge. Some suggestions: Libraries need
to put the Dewey schedules and indexes online for people to use; Using
computers there is no extra cost to implement another calatalogue, e.g., the
bookseller BISAC cataloguing system could be made available to users
alongside Dewey at no extra cost; Users nowerdays have the right to know
not only what their local libraries have in stock, but also what is
currently in print and out of print on a subject.
Come on, the libraries are dragging their heels.
Gareth Osler
Library Web editor and admin.
http://www.libraryweb.info/
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