Introduction

Abstract

Library and information science (LIS) is an academic, intellectual and industrial field with a large international reach. LIS educates library and information professionals, and is an active field in research and practice with a tradition of research development, standards, networks and distribution worldwide. The field has in recent years experienced a significant growth and development in all parts of the world, however, the field's long-term future is at the same time being challenged by new technologies, education changes and the development of new industries. A refocusing from a library to an information focus is in development within the LIS field. However, the field of information is also being grasped by the technology fields on the one hand and the psychological/behavioural fields on the other. Unfortunately for the field of LIS, information is now everyone's problem and of greater interest to more scientific fields and in addition, industry and government are looking for information management solutions that require technological development based on the psychological quality research. How the LIS field survives over the next 20 years will be played out in educational and industry environments globally.

Citation

Spink, A. and Heinström, J. (2012), "Introduction", Spink, A. and Heinström, J. (Ed.) Library and Information Science Trends and Research: Europe (Library and Information Science, Vol. 6), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 3-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1876-0562(2012)0000006004