Challenges for Great Libraries in the Age of the Digital Native

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Brindley, Dame Lynne J.^{; *}

Affiliations: Chief Executive, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2BD, UK

Note: [*] From her Miles Conrad Award Lecture, NFAIS 2009 Annual Conference, February 23, 2009, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Abstract: Lynne Brindley has played a key role in digital library developments since the early 1980s, and since 2000 as Chief Executive of the British Library. During that time the role of academic and national libraries has changed significantly, with ever-increasing expectations of researchers requiring libraries to re-focus their priorities. This speech will discuss what the emergence of Digital Natives means for great libraries, now and in the future. Amongst areas libraries will need to tackle is an increased focus on e-science and e-research, utilizing web 2.0 and 3.0 and digital preservation. The digital age offers huge opportunities, but the decline of information literacy skills risks robbing a generation of the ability to fully utilize these. Lynne assesses the changing role of special collections and the continuing relevance of inspiring physical space. Libraries and information services must step up to the plate to provide services which meet the needs of the new generation of researchers, and which add value beyond the search engine.

DOI: 10.3233/ISU-2009-0594

Journal: Information Services & Use, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 3-12, 2009