The library community at a technological and philosophical crossroads: Necessary and sufficient conditions for survival

Laurence B. Heilprin

Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 1991, vol. 42, issue 8, 566-573

Abstract: The community consisting of libraries and library schools is examined for the probability of its long‐term survival in its recognizable present form. Evolution, especially the later human‐artificial stage, shows essential functions tending to continue but intense competition to determine which structures (self‐regulatory adaptive systems) will carry on those functions. The library community is a system that appears insufficiently equipped to compete adaptively over the long term. To be competitively invulnerable would require, in addition to carrying on its present essential functions, assumption of two new ones: (1) support of basic information science, including research leadership in the field, and (2) constant self‐renewal through some drastic form of continuing education, e.g., joint commitment by school and student to lifelong cyclic return to the school, following the first degree. (An example of such a competitively invulnerable community is the medical community.) Assumption of both new functions would be necessary and sufficient. More are not needed, but anything short of both would probably lead to absorption of functions and personnel of the library community by other, more competitively adaptive informational communities. © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Date: 1991
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https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4571(199109)42:83.0.CO;2-6

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