EDITOR'S NOTE:
Good to Hear From You
by Barbara Brynko
Hat’s off to Barbara Quint for her timely ViewPoint column, “Will Libraries Vanish?” in the February issue.
More than one of the points Quint made in her treatise struck a resonating chord with our readers. In fact, we received several Letters to the Editor about the future of librarianship and the obstacles that librarians are facing “in this brave new world.” We also received a few letters about the ongoing battle between Elsevier B.V. and the University of Cambridge’s Tim Gowers (“The Cost of Boycotting,” page 12, March IT). Again, where there is controversy, there’s bound to be a good story brewing. So expect to see larger features about these topics in upcoming issues.
This issue is packed with information that you need to know. We tackle a trio of library-related issues from different angles for an interesting twist. The first is about the comprehensive new report titled “The Digital Squeeze: Libraries at the Crossroads,” by research analyst Joseph McKendrick. (In full disclosure, the report is a “Library Resource Guide Benchmark Study on 2012 Library Spending Plans” that updates findings a similar survey released in March 2011. Both studies were produced by Unisphere Research, a division of Information Today, Inc.) The feature weighs in on the study’s findings about how libraries are stretching their budget dollars while still trying to augment their digital offerings for patrons.
The two other features cover Apple’s foray into the etextbook market and a few of the latest information industry solutions to streamline STM workflows. Both features prove that there’s plenty of innovation in the works. Let me know what you think.
— Barbara Brynko |
