Library in your pocket

Recently, in November 2001 a very timely article “The Deserted Library” appeared in the Chronicle of Higher Education /1/ and it was followed by a lively discussion also on the IATUL mailing list. What are academic library services to become in the 21 century as an increasing number of students bypass the library building but simultaneously take advantage of the online library services and resources? A desktop on campus is often still a privilege of the staff only whereas the students are more on the move – looking for empty seats in the crowded computer classrooms. It was to this target group that the new library services are being developed at the Helsinki University of Technology Library. However, instead of a coffee shop to attract inperson visits to the library the new services take advantage of the wireless communication technology.