Changing information environment and academic libraries

정보환경의 변화와 대학도서관의 발전방향

  • Published : 1996.03.01

Abstract

Information technology will inevitably and profoundly alter every aspect of university life. New information technologies are creating new patterns in the research and teaching, with networks enhancing information sharing and data transmission. The revolution in information technology requires that universities integrate information technology with their traditional missions of teaching, research, and public service. Enhanced mode of information access and changing information-seeking behaviors suggest the need for new library services. New technologies have opened up many new services options for libraries. The nature of and potential for new information services suggest that libraries should become better connected with other campus units. Some of these issues will no doubt be addressed by the a n.0, pplication of new technologies and by building campus information infrastructure. An important element of the needed change for enhancing the library information services is the integration of the libraries and computing centers. Libraries and computing centers deal with the same commodity-information and delivering information. For the sake of scholarship and research, the two must devise an integrated a n.0, pproach to delivering the common commodity. Computing centers have special skills in system development and telecommunications. Libraries have good human interface skills and skills for organizing knowledge. Together they could be a particularly productive team. Noting this, some universities have created new information service units which unify the present-day computing, library and telecommunication functions. Existing models range from true merging to situations where some cooperative activities are being conducted. The purpose of this study is to suggest the direction in developing of information services in academic libraries by examining the changing information environment and trends of integrating libraries and computing centers. This paper inquires into the changing information environment, the impact of imformation technology on universities and libraries, some casses of integration of academic libraries and computing centers, and effects of integration of two and suggests the developing direction of information services in academic libraries.

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