The library profession and the Internet: implications and scenarios for change

This article examines and outlines the impact the Internet has had upon the library profession. It traces the growth of the Internet and the historical, as well as current uses, of the Internet by information professionals. It further explores the evolving roles and functions of libraries and librarians. Current empirical studies of librarian’s uses of and their attitudes toward Internet use, as well as subjective surveys and reasons, are outlined and discussed. The article also addresses how the Internet and the emergence of the digital library has, and will continue to, affect the information transfer process and society’s view of information and the information professional. Lastly, suggestions of possible scenarios for this emerging information profession paradigm are given.

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