Libraries and Technology - the current situation

Public libraries have been using computer technology since the 1960s. Pioneering developments in bank transfers, cash machines and catalogues anticipated later retail trade developments. Public use of IT - viewdata, open access catalogues and microcomputers, software loans and community databases, and latterly multimedia information systems - have all been introduced to improve service.

There are few library services that do not rely on IT - but many small branches show little sign of this. Here users are prevented from enjoying the many benefits that IT can bring in accessing remote resources and services.

There has been some take up of Internet use in the last year or so. Research earlier this year contracted by the Library and Information Commission showed that less than 1% of service points provided public access. Recent responses gathered to inform the Millennium Bid demonstrate that although there are some plans for development, there is no chance of a coordinated and collaborative approach which will act as a catalyst to bring libraries into the 21st Century and the Information Age.

The UK surveys show that the dominant form of connection is via a slow and expensive dial up link which limits the types of service that can be provided. There is preliminary and tentative exploration - and rarely for public use. Responses from libraries in recent weeks show that although there are some outline plans, there is no framework for a coordinated approach to act as a catalyst to meet the challenges of the Information Age. In contrast, the supply of unique and valuable information delivered electronically increases every day, with major national initiatives planned in the statutory and voluntary sectors to deliver up to date information directly to people as they need it.

If left to present funding mechanisms, it is clear that Internet provision to the public, free at the point of access, will be extremely patchy and at a low level. The opportunities for marketing the service, raising standards, and training will not be available, nor will public libraries be able to take advantage of the prime opportunity they can offer to information providers on a national scale.

The Croydon Library Service received funding from the British Library Research & Development Department to pilot the use of electronic information and the Internet in the Borough's libraries. As part of the pilot scheme, CLIP (Croydon Library Internet Project) has provided public access to the Internet, an Electronic Business Register, an E-mail system for library customers and staff of Croydon County Council. Staff have gained knowledge and expertise in the use of electronic information and this has been passed on to library users. Users have developed research, and evaluation skills, become more computer literate and are keen to learn more. As a result of the success of CLIP, Croydon Online has developed as a community network for the local citizens.

September 1996

Further information from:

Martin P Dudley Information for All

© Information for All
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URL:http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/informall/why/libtech.html
Last revised 31-Jan-1997

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