Libraries in the 21st century

The Centre for Information Studies is proud to announce its latest publication, Libraries in the twenty-first century.

Libraries in the twenty-first century brings together leading library educators and practitioners to provide a scholarly yet accessible overview of library and information management and the challenges that the twenty-first century offers the information profession.

The papers in this collection illustrate the changing nature of the library as it evolves into its twenty-first century manifestation.

Aimed at students and practitioners alike, Libraries in the twenty-first century covers specific types of library and information agencies, discusses specific aspects of library and information management and places developments in library and information services in a number of broad contexts: socio-economic, ethico-legal, historical and educational.

Library tatts

Just how hardcore a librarian are you? Would you get a tattoo to show your passion for libraries?

Just like the US Marine Corps or the Parachute Regiment - you'd want people to know you'd done your tour of duty. Wouldn't you? Maybe....

Libraries in the Digital Age

Dr Bob Pymm, working hard preparing his conference paper (uploaded by CSU Information Studies).

LIDA (Libraries in the Digital Age) is an international conference, held annually, that this year (in Dubrovnik, Croatia May 28 – June 2 2007) focused on two themes – users and digital libraries, and the economics of digital libraries. The conference was organized by the JJ Strossmayer University in Osijek, Croatia and Rutgers University New York. Papers covered a wide range of topics associated with the conference theme, including one from our very own Bob Pymm, on e-book use in public libraries. The presentations from the conference are available online.

Around 150 people attended – evenly split between those from eastern Europe and those from the west with a large contingent from the US. These included some surprisingly high powered names including Christine Borgman (Dean of UCLA Library School), her predecessor and now emeritus professor Bob Hayes; Karen Fisher (University of Washington, Seattle) – one of the authors of Theories of Information Behavior and Peiling Wang from the University of Tennessee, award winning author in the information behavior field.

Librarians are cool - it's official!

According to the New York Times there's a new breed of techno-savvy librarian, sporting tattoos and up on pop culture.

Hey, you knew that already didn't you? You probably are one. The article points out that the information environment exists well beyond the library and that the next generation of librarians realise that they need to explore online spaces as much as library spaces. That's why the online information environment, the use of technology and new media all feature strongly in our program at the School of Information Studies.