Network Reshapes the Library

This collection of papers from library technology guru Lorcan Dempsey offers readers valuable perspective and insight as well as a visionary approach to libraries' future. Over the last decade, Dempsey's writing has covered diverse and wide ranging topics including the evolution of libraries, from how library organization, services and technologies are co-evolving with the behaviours of their users to support their changing research and learning needs, to how the curatorial traditions of archives, libraries and museums have come together in the digital environment. Expertly curated by Kenneth J Varnum, The Network Reshapes the Library showcases Dempsey's dual ability to firstly explore an issue and then to reveal the higher-order trends. Using this method, Dempsey provides his valuable perspective on where libraries have been in the last decade as well as his influential insights into how libraries will evolve in the future. The key topics covered include: * Networked resources * Network organization * The research process and libraries' evolving role * Resource discovery * Library systems and tools such as search indices and OpenURL link resolvers * Data and metadata * Publishing and communication, including blogs, social media, and scholarly communication * Libraries, archives, museums, and galleries as 'memory institutions'. The book concludes with a selection of favourites hand-picked by Dempsey himself and will be essential reading for students, library strategists, administrators, technology staff and anyone with an interest in the future of libraries.