The role of the library in a wired society – compete or withdraw: a business perspective

The paper aims to extend remarks made during a keynote speech at the Australian Library and Information Association annual conference on the Gold Coast on 24 September 2004. The paper discusses the strategic imperatives for the players in the library world and asserts that they must compete or withdraw.

Key trends towards a more connected society, more connected enterprises and connected objects and places are discussed. Several technology and process innovations are recommended as tactics to compete against the new players in the marketplace such as Google™. These include software and hardware innovations for federated search, OpenURL resolvers, federated identity management, next generation interfaces and third party content integration.

The author asserts that change in a changing world is possible and desirable. To not change and develop competitive strategies to differentiate library service offerings is to choose a slow decline and is, in reality, a choice to withdraw from the competition.

The paper points out the need for change and development in library services.