A brief history of business libraries in Scotland

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This seminar explored the history of Business Libraries in Scotland. It discussed the development in the provision of library and information services for Scottish industry in the twentieth century. This seminar is part of a series run by the History of Libraries in Scotland and is sponsored by the Scottish Centre for the Book at Edinburgh Napier University and the Library and Information History Group (CILIP). John Coll is Head of Access and Enquiries at the National Library of Scotland. John managed the Scottish Business Information Service at the National Library between 1989 and 2009.

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A brief history of business libraries in Scotland

John CollHead of Access & EnquiriesNational Library of Scotland

Outline of talk

Look at the factors that have influenced business information provisionExplore the routes to accessFocus on the key changesConsider the future

Visible change or continuity?

Scotland: the PEST factors

Routes to access

• Public Libraries• Academic Libraries• National Library• Special Libraries• Government/business support

agencies

Public Libraries

Stormy days ahead for public libraries?

Academic Libraries

Specialist or generalist?

National Library of Scotland

Radical change or more of the same?

Special Libraries

Changing times for special libraries?

Government/ Business support

agencies

Friend or foe of libraries?

Summary

The history of business libraries mirrors the changes that have effected all libraries Business libraries that have survived or even prospered are those that have managed to transform their role in the light of changing user needs and technology

The future?

Technology is marginalising the need for intermediaries Context still remains kingPublic libraries need to redefine their role to remain active in this area Special libraries need to move up the value-chain to remain relevant Business support agencies continue to influence change

Thank you

Questions?

John CollTel: 0131 623 3816E-mail: j.coll@nls.uk

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