Scientific Libraries: Past Development and Future Changes

Citation

Neville, K. (2010), "Scientific Libraries: Past Development and Future Changes", Library Review, Vol. 59 No. 3, pp. 234-235. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242531011031232

Scientific Libraries: Past Development and Future Changes provides information on scientific libraries, their history, current issues and future trends, and is aimed primarily at practicing librarians in scientific and special libraries. The author Dr Tomas Lidman is well qualified to analyse scientific libraries as he has held many positions in university and government libraries in Sweden over a long period including prestigious positions such as the Director of the National Library of Sweden. He is currently employed as the General Director of the National Archives in Sweden.

This book is divided into a number of sections covering different eras in libraries from the “dawning of a new era”, that describes scientific libraries in the 1970s, to computerised library catalogues in the 1980s, before progressing to the beginning of the modern era in libraries from 1990 to 2000. Chapter 5 “Harvest time” explains the situation in libraries in this millennium (from 2000 to 2007), and finally chapter 6 outlines the challenges for the future faced by scientific libraries. Tomas Lidman views co‐operation, quality service and a vision for the future using a mission statement, as important aspects of scientific libraries, along with improved user services including a focus on self‐service to provide easier access for library patrons. This book concludes with a very apt quote by Jens Thorhauge who believes libraries should develop one portal for digital information and “cooperate with others, be open for new developments and be proactive” (p. 114) – a motto applicable to many libraries especially educational ones.

Topics covered in this book include journals and accessibility, economic restraints and technology issues. This book includes ideas for future activities to enable scientific libraries to plan ahead, and be proactive by predicting and responding to likely changes in the workplace. Scientific Libraries: Past Development and Future Changes is an informative and enlightening work that explores an area not generally covered by academic volumes. This book is recommended as an interesting read, of relevance to university and special libraries around the world, particularly those that specialise in science.