Enduring Library: Technology, Tradition and the Quest for Balance

by Michael E. Gorman

Librarians are experts at selecting, evaluating and disseminating the best content in the most appropriate format to meet the needs of library users. New technologies can be invaluable tools in these efforts. Taking advantage of these technologies does not, however, change the fundamental mission of libraries everywhere. In this work, one of the library world's thinkers discusses the transformative effect that communications technology has had on information delivery from past to present to future. By tracing these transformations, Michael Gorman writes a roadmap for achieving balance between the tradition of library service and ever-changing technology. Exploring both opportunities and perils, Gorman points the way integrating technology into long- and short-term goals; rethinking reference work, to direct users to the highest quality sources available; revamping cataloguing through technology to improve user access; reinvigorating the library's role in promoting literacy; and relieving techno-stress to achieve peace of mind, harmony and stability.

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Information Science

157 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Cade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this and sympathize with the author. The final chapter is a bit out of left field where Gorman compares the goals of the library profession with the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism, but he does try to justify it and as a Buddhist I suppose I can appreciate the effort to include the ideas.

[John Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember reading in Library school. Good stuff.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read for library & information science students. Many of the topics in the book are still relevant today. Much has changed in the library world, but then again, there are still some obstacles that the library world will never seem to hurdle. Either way, Gorman is quite knowledgeable about these obstacles that we now face. I just wish we listened.

[Julie N · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this one for my MLIS courses. It had good information, but the fact that Gorman uses the textbook as a pulpit for expressing his beliefs really turned me off. I think I'm pretty much the only conservatice librarian in the world, but seriously, Gorman really pushes his agenda.

[Anastasiaadamov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about strugles and issues libraries find themselves in the "age of information". I believe some issues to be slightly outdated but most of the book is very much in the current topics of disscussion.
Information overload - the strugle is real!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say, I'm in library school.