Library Review

Warwick S. Cathro

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530110696100

Libraries and archival institutions are encountering unprecedented pressures for change, arising largely from the emergence of the World Wide Web. Discusses those challenges in the framework of the key imperatives of support for public education, contribution to cultural development, preservation of our heritage for posterity, and information management. As examples, libraries and archival institutions need to support flexible online learning services; support collaborative cross-sectoral cultural programs; respond to the challenge of digital preservation and encourage a program of research and collaboration; manage traditional and digital collections in an integrated manner; manage text in different scripts in an integrated manner; and ensure persistent access to digital information resources.

Christopher Chia

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006071

A landmark study by the Library 2000 Review Committee created the National Library Board (NLB) in 1995. The NLB has since tranformed libraries in Singapore by leveraging four building blocks - content, services, people and infrastructure. Through an ambitious library development programme, NLB found in each new library site an incubator for innovation. This has spawned a stream of killer applications. To move the organization towards achieving these, NLB has infused the organization with methodologies such as the business process re-engineering (BPR) exercise conducted for the redesign of core business processes. NLB has also harnessed project management methodology to help it develop ideas from inception to implementation. The achievements by NLB since 1995 have not only fulfilled many of the strategies outlined in the Library 2000 Report, but established a firm basis for further development by the NLB into a key player in the nation's national learning enterprise.

Qihao Miao

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006072

Five years ago Shanghai Library moved to a new home, and became famous, however, it has found that the "new building effect" has been fading. The library has to pursue a higher level of excellence. In making the five-year plan from 2001-2004, a knowledge strategy was proposed. According to the strategy, Shanghai Library should be a knowledge portal with knowledge navigation as the core concept of the service. Following the strategy, an integrated municipal library service system has been established, the knowledge base project, a thematic research service, was launched, and a knowledge management system is under construction to support the ambitious strategy.

Frances H. Awcock

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006081

Outlines the major challenges facing libraries in the modern era - referred to increasingly as the "information society" or the "knowledge economy". Identifies the factors impelling libraries to re-define their "offer" to the world and describes the ways in which the State Library of Victoria is working to meet the challenges described. Outlines transformation imperatives in the Australian context. Explores seven "drivers" or "transformers" which are radically changing the State Library of Victoria. What the library can offer is unique - collections, services and programs - taking into account the wider world to which libraries will give access, both real and virtual, in ways that are meaningful to our users. That user will be anyone, anywhere.

Siam Kim Lim

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530110405364

Looks at the National Heritage Board (NHB) in Singapore and how it deals with the development of national museums and their archives. Examines the early years of the NHB and its attempts to attract new audiences; then looks at how the digital world is used in archives and museums. Concludes that the NHB aims to maintain standards in order to make heritage a part of every Singaporean's life.

R. Ramachandran

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006073

Provides a series of recommendations for a regional approach to organizational re-invention of libraries, archives and museums, in the light of imformation technology development. Concludes that libraries, museums and archives must work together in order to deal with the changes brought by technological development.

Zawiyah Baba

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006074

Looks at the problems of change management in libraries in Malaysia. Examines implications for the organization, presenting four essential features of transformation. Concludes that in Southeast Asia it is imperative to address the divide which has occurred in library development.

Steven Ang

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006075

Examines legal issues in relation to the digitization of media. Looks at the nature of digitization of content and its implications for copyright and libraries. Investigates exceptions to copyright protection, aspects of the extension of copyright protection and protection of rights management of information and technology. Concludes with a possible agenda to the digital challenge.

William Claxton

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006076

The selection, integration and management of digital collections will be affected by current changes in the way audio visual content is delivered on the Internet. Describes a technology shift in audio visual content delivery, which pushes content to the "edge" of the Internet, thereby reducing bandwidth loads and improving user experience. Strategies that will allow information professionals to exploit this change are relevant to librarians and archivists who might otherwise opt for a centralized model of content distribution.

Syed Salim Agha

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000006077

The development of the profession has to be viewed from a realistic perspective without being unduly influenced by time related trends. Identifies the real driver of change. Asks key questions, the answers to which would guide the profession towards the direction it should develop. Proposes broad directions towards which the profession should develop. Concludes that the purpose and objectives of the profession have not changed. The appropriateness of professional development is related to the needs, demands and expectations of the market served, the environment in which it is set and to the service ethic of the profession.