Abstract

The irruption of technology has caused deep changes in library design. Digital collections free up space previously occupied by paper, while new services and commons are created. Librarians and architects do not have enough benchmarks or standards to guide the redesign of spaces caused by these changes. The Danish concept of the “four spaces”, introduced in the Model Programme for Public Libraries, could be useful for this purpose in public libraries.

Abstract

The use of handheld devices (mobile phones, PDAs, iPod, video game consoles, ebooks…) for internet access is increasing in Spain due to the gradual reduction in rates and the availability of new devices. The question of adapting web interfaces to these devices has arisen due to their specific features, even in public libraries and their catalogues.

Abstract

To some degree the Open Access Initiative has failed, because too few people, even in the library profession, know of its existence. More marketing should be done, thus making more people aware of it. MARC became obsolete and has to be superseded by xml-based standards. With the advent of Google, people don’t have any problems finding information. Instead they have problems knowing what to do with once they acquire it. A next generation library catalog should allow people to first find items in a library collection, and then to use the information in some way. Public libraries are devoted to their community. If they focus too much on books, then their future is less positive. If they think in terms of data, information, and knowledge, their future is only as limited as their imagination.