The essential functions of library and a vision of future library

도서관의 본질과 미래 도서관상

As information technology has been evolving, digital library emerges as a vision of future library. Many authors on digital library describe that the problems that today's libraries face would be completely solved by using digital technology. But it is su n.0, pposed that such technology oriented papers do not take care of what the library has been and should remain. This paper is prepared to identify what core elements of library services being provided in traditional environment must be transferred to the digital library. For this purpose, firstly historical transition from traditional library to digital discussed. Secondly, library's fundamental service functions are analysed from three points of view-library as cultural and social institution, library as intellectual reality, library as a collection. And 'control zone' concept is also investigated as a new possibility of academic digital libraries. In contrast to open zone in which information is not controled at all as in internet, in control zone, information is selected and maintained by academic library community, retaining such essential library functions as selection.