Libraries without Walls 5:

Citation

Weddell, S. (2005), "Libraries without Walls 5:", Library Management, Vol. 26 No. 6/7, pp. 420-421. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120410609860

Reviewing an edited conference proceedings is not straightforward as the reviewer is faced with a number of really interesting topics working within an overall broad theme. Hence this review will through necessity endeavour to give only a brief outline of papers covered and will not dwell on any one aspect in detail.

This, the fifth proceedings of the Libraries Without Walls (LWW5) conference, adds to the wealth of shared knowledge from previous conferences. The first in 1995, was used as a way of disseminating the results of the BIBDEL project and subsequent conferences have centred on new methods of information delivery to distance users; the rise of internet services and Google; information literacy; and the concept of “libraries without walls”.

Divided into five themes, this volume of proceedings, summarises key issues facing the profession, and to quote Editor Peter Brophy, gives us “a single, challenging, theme to consider – and that is that the ‘libraries without walls’ concept has moved ‘beyond the mainstream’” (p. 9).

Papers included within the first of these themes – the integration of library services and virtual learning environments, look at the adoption of “virtual learning environments” within educational institutions worldwide; the development of staff for e‐learning, which includes the results of a case study where e‐learning/e‐skills are embedded in the staff development life cycle; information‐based networks; and the challenge ahead to develop new skills which go beyond the traditional knowledge base of librarianship.

Customising information skills packages; methods for engaging students, particularly non‐traditional students from diverse backgrounds; the integration of information literacy and learning and the Open University short course “Making sense of information in a connected age” (MOSAIC) make up the main papers covering the second theme: – the relationship between user needs information skills and information literacies.

Of particular interest to me however, as a special librarian working with distributed clients, are the papers covered by the third theme: – usability and accessibility of digital library services. These papers provide practical help for those of us who are facing the reality of moving from traditional forms of information services to digital delivery to the desktop. We are reminded of the importance of fitting system functionality to user needs and that usability is closely connected to user satisfaction. An additional bonus is the provision of an evaluation framework for digital libraries and it is hoped that future conferences will explore this area in more detail. While all western countries take these developments for granted we are reminded that all countries do not even have a basic communication infrastructure, adequate electric power or even the educational skill base to use digital services.

One of the biggest shifts in our professional environment over the last ten years has been the increased push for collaboration between libraries. This has come from all sectors, public libraries, government service and educational, driven in the most part by stretched budgets and the higher costs of some resources. Historically libraries have always worked co‐operatively with each other (inter‐library loan being one example), and the forming of consortia for purchasing of resources is now commonplace. What is more recent is the merging and sharing of databases and the creation of interoperable IT environments. Work is also progressing on an agreed standards framework which is more than the Z39.50 technical standard. These issues and case studies from the Manchester Metropolitan University, Portuguese Public libraries and Denmark's Electronic Research Library are covered in papers in designing the information environment: national and institutional perspectives, the fourth theme.

The creation of digital resources by user communities is the final theme covered. More and more users of information want to create and use the digital resource to share their information globally and they are looking for ways of achieving this either as individuals or in special interest groups. The COINE project which is funded by the European Commission Information Societies Technologies (IST) programme is an interesting example of the work being done in this area. COINE aims to achieve a technical infrastructure that addresses the needs of a diverse range of users and produce an accessible and helpful resource. Of particular interest within this theme is the paper by Cox and Morris “Librarians in digital communities of practice”. The authors ask the question “What are communities of practice?” discussing definitions, their potential use as a model and provide a case study of a specialist IT support discussion list.

It is unfortunate that the book just ends with the last paper in the final theme; it would be useful to have the concise introduction and overview of the papers by editor Peter Brophy as a summary, his excellent keynote paper is itself a worthy introduction.

Because distributed delivery of library and information services is of interest in the context of my current work situation, (information provision to a large group of geographically diverse research scientists), the title of this book looks very relevant. Publicity on the jacket states that “It is recognized as the premier resource for all needing to keep updated on distance learning and virtual library issues”. I was therefore slightly disappointed to find that it was in fact an edited conference proceedings and while usefully divided into themes, it was less relevant than envisaged. There is a lot of useful information though for those working in an academic library environment and in particular those with an interest in working with distance learners such as ICT and learning support staff, public librarians will also find some useful content. For the rest of the profession it nevertheless provides interesting perspectives on new developments that may or may not be relevant to our libraries in the future.