The learning libraryProf.dr. Albert K. Boekhorst Universiteit van AmsterdamUniversity of PretoriaLIDA200125 May 2001

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Content

Informatisation paradigmEffects for libraries‘The Learning Library’ Conclusion

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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

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Civilizing process

Ongoing control over natural forces ‘technologisation

Ongoing social differentiation ‘differentiation’ Expanding of interdependency

networks ‘globalisation’

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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)

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3 aspects

Properties and behaviour of informationFlow and use of information Processing of information

(manual and mechanical)Implicit:

Restricted till communication between people

Restricted to stored information

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Infostructure

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Effects:

Exponential growth of information, information media and channels

Growth of technology and tools to process information

Changes in communication patrons

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… 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

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‘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 continuouslyLearning 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

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‘The learning library’

University Library AmsterdamUniversity Library GroningenUniversity Library Utrecht50% Sponsored by IWI

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Sub-projects

1. 'The learning organisation' 2. 'Information transmission'

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'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 workshop for library staff teams

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'Information transmission'

1. General Introduction: ICT in the University Library

2. Behind the scenes: concepts of the IT-domain

3. White elephants?: visions on libraries

4. Indexing Electronic Sources 5. Information intermediary in the virtual world 6. Use of electronic sources 7. Intermediary in the Virtual World.

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Behind the scenes: Concepts in the IT domain

Insight into the meaning of ICT for library work:1. consequences of ICT on ‘documents’ 2. consequences of the digitalisation of

paper editions3. implications for employees in a digital

working environment

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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

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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

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Comments:

Albert K. BoekhorstOude Turfmarkt 147NL-1012 GC AmsterdamThe Netherlands

albert.boekhorst@hum.uva.nlwww.hum.uva.nl/akb