Creating the Library of the Future

We must begin to plan the National Electronic Library immediately. It is easy to believe that the electronic information-rich environment envisioned by members of he academic community will soon come to pass-the necessary electronic infrastructure is being deployed, government policies to encourage its creation are being formulated, and the popular and trade press abound with predictions of "electronic libraries." Unfortunately, the appearance that the electronic library is imminent is an illusion. This is not for technological reasons, but because of logistical, organizational, financial, and legal obstacles. The new "data highways," which indeed are fast becoming a reality, will be dominated by commercial transactions, entertainment services (e.g., video and games), and general information services (e.g., shopping, banking, news). An intense and concerted effort to develop a radical and effective model for the electronic library is required to overcome the obstacles blocking its realization. In fact, we...