Digital Futures: Strategies for the Information Age

Citation

Fourie, I. (2002), "Digital Futures: Strategies for the Information Age", The Electronic Library, Vol. 20 No. 5, pp. 430-431. https://doi.org/10.1108/el.2002.20.5.430.4

Deegan and Tanner succeed very well in introducing the novice reader to the realities of digital libraries. They have extensive practical experience in the digital environment, as well as a sound theoretical base that enables them to “take a holistic view of the digital domain, and try to situate new developments in their social, cultural and historic contexts” (p. xi). The result is that technology per se is not the main focus of the book, and that a number of challenges within the wider social context of digital libraries are also set for the expert.

Digital Futures is the first title in a series of the same name. Each publication in the series will cover major topics in digital library research and development. This means that library and information services (LIS) professionals have something to which to look forward in the race of staying abreast and coming to grips with the strategic issues concerning digital libraries.

Digital Futures considers key issues in the new challenges of gathering, storing, transmitting, preserving and making accessible information. Technology as well as cultural differences and the changes in information needs are considered. The book offers guidelines on the following issues: digital futures in current contexts; reasons for digitizing; collection development in the digital world; economic factors; resources discovery, description and use; the development and design of systems for sharing digital resources; portals and personalization; preservation; the future role of digital librarians, and a selection of “new” developments. The identification of current as well as future needs is considered. The chapter on collection development, for example, considers electronic journals, e‐books, reference works and the paradigm shift from just‐in‐case to just‐in‐time. Under the future role of digital librarians the following possibilities are mentioned: knowledge mediators, information architects, hybrid librarians and knowledge preservers. In pursuing such roles LIS professionals should focus on their management, technical and subject skills.

Where necessary, technical details are explained to offer a basic understanding of fundamental issues. A useful glossary, a detailed index and an excellent, up‐to‐date bibliography are included.

I would like to agree with the publisher’s claim that Digital Futures is an indispensable guide for information managers, librarians and archivists who need to manage change in the digital environment. The book is also highly recommended to other groups active in the information world such as museum curators, media professionals and Web content providers. It is essential reading for LIS students – on condition that it is supplemented with the more current literature.