The learning library

1. The learning library Prof.dr. Albert K. Boekhorst Universiteit van Amsterdam University of Pretoria LIDA2001 25 May 2001

2. Content • Informatisation paradigm • Effects for libraries • ‘The Learning Library’ • Conclusion LIDA2001

3. Informatisation of society …theoretical perspective for the process in which information is becoming the dominant production factor in society, which is triggered and facilitated by ICT LIDA2001

4. Civilizing process • Ongoing control over natural forces  ‘technologisation • Ongoing social differentiation  ‘differentiation’ • Expanding of interdependency networks  ‘globalisation’ LIDA2001

5. Information science ‘... an interdisciplinary science that investigates the properties and behaviour of information, the forces that govern the flow and use of information, and the techniques, both manual and mechanical, of processing information for optimal storage, retrieval, and disemmination’ (Borko 1968) LIDA2001

6. 3 aspects • Properties and behaviour of information • Flow and use of information • Processing of information (manual and mechanical) • Implicit: • Restricted till communication between people • Restricted to stored information LIDA2001

7. Infostructure social infrastructure technical infrastructure information LIDA2001

8. Effects: • Exponential growth of information, information media and channels • Growth of technology and tools to process information • Changes in communication patrons LIDA2001

9. … and for libraries • From ‘paper’ via ‘hybrid’ to ‘virtual’: • Differentiation in products and services • Shift from ‘medium’ to ‘network’ • Heterogenity of users and demands: • Differentiation of services • Differentiation support LIDA2001

10. ‘The Learning Organisation’ • People are always dealing with a changing environment: • To cope with and make sense of change, people have to be able to learn continuously • Learning is behavioural change: • Anticipate and react on the dynamic surrounding environment • Applied to organisations: • when an organisation can continuously adapt to a changing environment, it is capable of learning LIDA2001

11. ‘The learning library’ • University Library Amsterdam • University Library Groningen • University Library Utrecht • 50% Sponsored by IWI LIDA2001

12. Sub-projects • 'The learning organisation' • 'Information transmission' LIDA2001

13. 'The learning organisation' • Aims at changing the organization • A policy to inform and involve library management • A learning route change master towards a responsive learning organisation • A self-directing workshopfor library staff teams LIDA2001

14. 'Information transmission' • General Introduction: ICT in the University Library • Behind the scenes: concepts of the IT-domain • White elephants?:visions on libraries • Indexing Electronic Sources • Information intermediary in the virtual world • Use of electronic sources • Intermediary in the Virtual World. LIDA2001

15. Behind the scenes: Concepts in the IT domain • Insight into the meaning of ICT for library work: • consequences of ICT on ‘documents’ • consequences of the digitalisation of paper editions • implications for employees in a digital working environment LIDA2001

16. Planning • Duration 1-7-96 till 1-11-97 • Phase I: Orientation • Phase II: Development courses • Phase III: Try-outs • Phase IV: Transfer to training institute LIDA2001

17. Conclusion: • Libraries are organisations like any other • ‘Learning Library’ is concept for development • A learning organisation cannot be produced and/or made: • It is only possible to create and support conditions favourable to its induction • Commitment of management • Collaboration by staff LIDA2001

18. Comments: Albert K. Boekhorst Oude Turfmarkt 147 NL-1012 GC Amsterdam The Netherlands albert.boekhorst@hum.uva.nl www.hum.uva.nl/akb LIDA2001