Libraries without Walls 5: The Distributed Delivery of Library and Information Services

Citation

du Preez, M. (2005), "Libraries without Walls 5: The Distributed Delivery of Library and Information Services", The Electronic Library, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 252-253. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470510592997

Libraries Without Walls 5 is an edited collection of papers drawn from the fifth Libraries Without Walls (LWW5) conference held during September 2003. The Conference addressed the key strategic issues arising from different approaches to the provision of library services to distant users. A total of 24 papers, written by leading professionals, are grouped under the following themes:

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  the integration of library services and virtual learning environments;

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  the relationship between user needs, information skills and information literacies;

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  usability and accessibility of digital library services;

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  designing the information environment: national and institutional perspectives; and

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  the creation of digital resources by user communities.

The idea behind the Libraries Without Walls conferences is explained in Peter Brophy's keynote address. He also reflects on the question of how libraries support and enhance the rich context in which constructive learning takes place and whether librarians have developed sufficient understanding of the process of learning to design their contribution to the virtual learning environment.

The importance of information literacy in modern society cannot be underestimated, especially when the relationship between user needs, information skills and information literacies are explored. Many academic institutions have developed information skills packages to address the problem of information illiteracy in virtual learning environments (VLEs). Kay Moore gives an overview of the Sheffield Hallam University in the UK's experience of creating and delivering a customised package. Rutter and Dale investigate different ways to engage student participation. Virkus reflects on the kinds of competencies young people and adults need as well as why information literacy integration has not been an easy solution.

The five papers within the third theme, Usability and Accessibility of Digital Library Services, tackled a spectrum of issues that vary from positing a framework for the evaluation of digital libraries to a recount of issues concerning access to the internet in Africa. The latter also summarises the steps that were taken to allow African students access to the African Digital Library (ADL), which is available to all inhabitants of Africa, free of charge. The final paper within this theme provides an overview of the Library of Texas Resource Discovery Service, its development and current status.

The papers in the fourth theme identify the current state of the web presence and services of the Portuguese National Network of Public Libraries and the way in which Denmark's Electronic Research Library changed from a five‐year national project to a permanent activity in 2003. They also give an outline of the current and future information needs as well as user patterns of the UK academic research community.

Some practical papers conclude the volume. These inter alia describe the EC‐funded Cultural Objects In Networked Environments (COINE) project, the DAEDALUS project and the work of the JISC‐funded Exchange for Learning Programme. Cox and Morris (Chapter 23) also report on a study of one online user community, using Wenger's concept of the “community of practice” as a theoretical perspective.

Libraries Without Walls 5 is a carefully edited volume and the state‐of‐the‐art papers will assist information professionals, managers and educators to keep abreast with the latest developments in this field. It includes a useful index and a bibliography at the end of chapters.