The Academic Library

Citation

Parry, F. (2005), "The Academic Library", The Electronic Library, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 501-502. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470510611580

This is the second edition of a work that was originally published in 2000 which surveys the operations of university libraries within the United Kingdom. Much has happened in the academic library world in the intervening years and this is reflected in some changes and additions to the original text. This includes information on the 2003 White Paper with its proposals for a new vision for education and student expansion; the establishment of the higher education academy; several revamped chapters – notably the one on the electronic information environment; and a whole new chapter on performance measurement.

The first three chapters aim to establish the context of the academic library within the overall higher education environment beginning with a history of academic institutions, followed by similar histories of higher education libraries and the place of the library within institutions. Though fairly brief, these chapters highlight the high regard in which libraries are generally held within academia and provide a fascinating glimpse of how libraries have historically operated. It also shows that although libraries have traditionally been highly valued within their institutions, they have had to fight a long hard battle for status and funds. This battle will no doubt intensify in the light of the rapid switch to end‐user information products – witness the ominous developments at Bangor where users' information‐seeking skills are deemed sufficiently advanced to permit the University to contemplate dispensing with the services of eight subject librarians.

Each of the following chapters is devoted to a particular function within the academic library: understanding users and their needs; information and communication technologies; human resources; resource management; collection and access management; the library building; library systems; services; management; performance measurement and professional issues. As can be discerned, this is a wide‐ranging study. It is also surprisingly detailed considering the breadth of the subject. The experience the author has gained from having been the head of a converged university and computing service is telling. He writes authoritatively and has obviously researched the subject thoroughly. As an academic librarian, I frequently found myself nodding in agreement and recognition. More importantly, I also found my own knowledge refreshed, challenged and augmented. For the non‐academic librarian or information professional, there is enough here to gain a thorough grounding of the subject with each chapter also including up‐to‐date references and recommendations for further reading and internet links.

A recurring theme within this book is change. The academic landscape has changed dramatically and the author details where and how the library has changed or should change accordingly. This includes adapting to the demands of higher student numbers, researching and managing new forms of information, looking for specialised human resource skills, reconfiguring the very library building to adapt to new patterns of study needs and behaviour, and generally ensuring that the library remains relevant and central to the institution's core role. Bangor has shown that the writing is on the wall – libraries do not have the option of standing still.

This is a thoroughly well‐researched work and a worthy addition to any library's stock.