Reference Libraries and Information Services: : Technological Change and Financial Pressure

Citation

Rogerson, M. (1998), "Reference Libraries and Information Services: : Technological Change and Financial Pressure", Library Review, Vol. 47 No. 1, pp. 48-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/lr.1998.47.1.48.5

This report purports to have surveyed all the major aspects of current reference library practice in Britain and results in a depressing scenario of insufficient funding, staffing and political commitment to enable any future technological development. The report, based on personal interviews with reference librarians, does not give details of any of the regional, urban and county authorities contacted and there is no indication of why the report was produced in the first place. One section covers the problems associated with tracing specialist report material for purchase, but this report itself gives no ISBN, an obvious bibliographical necessity. The report is easy to read but gives little new information on the current state of the art. It may be of some support when trying to convince reluctant politicians of the desperate need for improved funding, but the substantial price will not encourage independent purchase.

The final two sections on technological growth and “the library without walls” promise some hope of light at the end of the tunnel, but the promise is shortlived. No recommendations are made and no possible solutions to the current problems are suggested. Even if they were asked,no constructive ideas are recorded from the librarians interviewed. Practising librarians are all too aware of the financial stringencies and political pressures increasingly exerted on them. Some positive hope for the future would have given some point to this publication. No statistical information is given and no clear references cited to the sources of the views expressed.

The high cost of the publication (to other than public libraries) is certainly not justified in its contents and the report adds little to the current professional awareness of reference libraries and information services.