ICT and change in UK public libraries: does training matter?
| Date | 01 February 2003 |
| Published date | 01 February 2003 |
| Pages | 61-69 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120310454520 |
| Author | Rachel Spacey,Anne Goulding,Ian Murray |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
ICT and change in UK
public libraries: does
training matter?
Rachel Spacey
Anne Goulding and
Ian Murray
Introduction
Technological change, and the reaction of
public library staff to it, was never more
pertinent than at the present time. In recent
years public libraries have been at the forefront
of important UK government initiatives.
Notable reports carrying recommendations to
stimulate change in relation to ICT include
New Library: the People's Network (Library and
Information Commission, 1997), Building the
New Library Network (Library and Information
Commission, 1998), Our Information Age, The
Government's Vision (Central Office of
Information, 1998), Open for Learning, Open for
Business: the National Grid for Learning
(Department for Education and Employment,
1998a) and Comprehensive, Efficient and Modern
Public Libraries ± Standards and Assessment
(Department for Culture Media and Sport,
2001). This has had a considerable effect on
public libraries in the UK as the expectations of
what public libraries can provide has rapidly
grown amidst other initiatives relating to
lifelong learning, social inclusion and electronic
networking. The proliferation of ICT in public
libraries will continue to affect the roles and
day-to-day realities of public library staff for
years to come.
Understanding the potential effects of
technological change on public library staff is
requisite knowledge for library managers in
order to create appropriate responses and
solutions. Similarly, the library staff
themselves need to appreciate that many of
their reactions are quite natural. Training is
generally suggested as the solution to what are
regarded as negative responses to
technological change. If this approach is
adopted it is critical that it is the correct
training or else fears can merely be reinforced.
This review considers the implications of
technological change in relation to public
libraries in the UK and is based on research
into automation and the introduction of ICT
into a variety of library settings, and in society
generally. The implications of attitudes to
technology are evaluated and their significance
in a successful library environment discussed.
Finally, training as the solution to eradicating
negative attitudes and resistance to change is
critically evaluated, noting that if training is
employed, an appreciation of the individual
needs of staff are fundamental to its planning.
A critical literature review was conducted for
doctoral studies at the Department of
The authors
Rachel Spacey is a Research Student, Anne Goulding
is Reader in Information Services Management and
Ian Murray is a Lecturer in the Department of
Information Science at Loughborough University,
Loughborough, UK.
E-mail: R.E.Spacey@Lboro.ac.uk
Keywords
Public libraries, Training, United Kingdom, Librarians,
Information technology, Communications technology
Abstract
A consideration of the implications of technological
change for public library staff and managers in the UK is
based on the selected results of a literature review.
Recent developments affecting the growth of
information and communication technology (ICT) in
public libraries provide a context against which research
into the effects of automation, the introduction of ICT in
a variety of library environments and into society
generally, are explored. The value of attitudes to ICT are
questioned noting that attitudes are often seen as being
important in determining the successful implementation
of ICT in libraries. Training is suggested as an
appropriate means of enabling staff to cope effectively
with technological change. Successful training needs to
appreciate that staff have different needs and so prefer
different training methods. Resistance is also viewed as
a natural response to change that managers should note
and attempt to understand, if and when it occurs.
Electronic access
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
61
Library Management
Volume 24 .Number 1/2 .2003 .pp. 61-69
#MCB UP Limited .ISSN 0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120310454520
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