Libraries in the 21st century

In 2005 OCLC published a report to its members entitled Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources. Many of the surveyed respondents were speaking of their public libraries. However there is much in the report that is important for specialised library services. On the final page the authors write:

"Libraries will continue to share an expanding infosphere with an increasing number of content producers, providers and consumers. Information consumers will continue to self-serve from a growing information smorgasbord. The challenge for libraries is to clearly define and market their relevant place in that infosphere - their services and collections both physical and virtual.

It is time to rejuvenate the "Library" brand."

Graeme