SUM09Q4

Summer 2009 Question 4
The development of the Internet and the rapid development of new applications (e.g. search engines and directories, e-commerce sites, digital libraries, and collaborative, social information spaces) makes it possible to envision a world without information professionals and libraries. These developments have led to speculation that information professionals will no longer be needed to mediate access to information. Identify a specific information environment as your starting point (e.g., academic library, school media center, public library, special library, etc.) then: a. note at least two major challenges facing librarians in an environment where users can obtain information from their desks or homes, b. discuss how information professionals can remain relevant, and c. make explicit use of what you know about the roles played and the value added by information intermediaries to illustrate your point.