| Abstrakt: |
'Real libraries' and the services they offer have centered on collections of printed materials, particularly scholarly books and journals. The timely combination of library automation and telecommunication has opened up the possibility of what some call the 'virtual library' or the 'library without walls.' As perceived by the user, this is a 'library' to which he or she has convenient access through a personal computer. Rapid progress in network technology has created the impression that the virtual library is already reality. Actually, access to the virtual library may no longer be a problem, but full functionality of services (loans, document ordering and delivery, membership registration) has still not been achieved. A key feature of the virtual library is that the user can create his or her own virtual library. The development of the virtual library is one of technology push stimulating market pull--in the form of user demand for more (convenient) services--which in turn calls for an organizational response on the part of the service suppliers. Libraries and other parties must therefore urgently address the problems of the development of user-friendly services from the virtual library, their financing, and the reorganization of traditional library services and resources (e.g., in the field of interlibrary loans, collection building, and classification). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
