Do libraries matter? "The question of relevance is perhaps the biggest challenge facing libraries today. While there's no doubt that people value traditional library services, does the rise of Internet services, such as Google, Amazon and their like, present a huge challenge? "Let's face it. These internet-based services offer high quality, easy to use, methods for finding information. A person could easily be forgiven for believing that ordering a book from the comfort of their own home, and having it delivered straight to their door within just a few days, is less hassle than a trip to the local library. "With information now so freely available, particularly through the Internet, do libraries really matter? " ... the answer is a resounding yes. Libraries provide unique value. We believe that a list of links in a search engine, while useful, does not have the same value as the knowledge that a library can provide. "Reports of the library's demise have been greatly exaggerated then. Yet, the staggering success of sites such as Amazon and Google has shown that, to meet the expectations of the modern world, libraries do have to change quite dramatically." Read more: http://www.talis.com/downloads/white_papers/DoLibrariesMatter.pdf Best regards, Saiful -- Saiful Amin Information Specialist Edutech India 8 Khader Nawaz Khan Road Chennai 600006, India Tel: +91 44 2833 0999 GSM: +91 98407 76214 Fax: +91 44 2833 1777 www.edutechindia.com "Enhancing knowledge and skills for success, lifelong." Do libraries matter? "The question of relevance is perhaps the biggest challenge facing libraries today. While there's no doubt that people value traditional library services, does the rise of Internet services, such as Google, Amazon and their like, present a huge challenge? "Let's face it. These internet-based services offer high quality, easy to use, methods for finding information. A person could easily be forgiven for believing that ordering a book from the comfort of their own home, and having it delivered straight to their door within just a few days, is less hassle than a trip to the local library. "With information now so freely available, particularly through the Internet, do libraries really matter? " ... the answer is a resounding yes. Libraries provide unique value. We believe that a list of links in a search engine, while useful, does not have the same value as the knowledge that a library can provide. "Reports of the library's demise have been greatly exaggerated then. Yet, the staggering success of sites such as Amazon and Google has shown that, to meet the expectations of the modern world, libraries do have to change quite dramatically." Read more: http://www.talis.com/downloads/white_papers/DoLibrariesMatter.pdf http://www.talis.com/downloads/white_papers/DoLibrariesMatter.pdf Best regards, Saiful -- Saiful Amin Information Specialist Edutech India 8 Khader Nawaz Khan Road Chennai 600006, India Tel: +91 44 2833 0999 GSM: +91 98407 76214 Fax: +91 44 2833 1777 http://www.edutechindia.com www.edutechindia.com "Enhancing knowledge and skills for success, lifelong."