Priorities and policies—private sector involvement in our fields of interest

Abstract

Members of LISC, and the professional communities which are served by the Council, can probably agree on some com mon objectives—excellence in our public and private sector library and information services; more points of access to LIS¹ resources; greater capital investment in information products and services; a spread of LIS firms, which can build up worthwhile earnings in export markets; and more and better jobs for librarians, archivists and information scientists. But there is a sharp divergence of opinion on ways of reaching these ends. Where should the boundaries lie between private enter prise and public service? Should there be a shift in the demar cation lines? One side emphasizes the economic opportunities, the other, the social imperatives; and there is a broadening debate about pricing of services and charging of fees. This paper reviews the two sides of the case, and the financial realities behind current developments and trends. Finally, it calls for LISC to make a thorough study of how common objectives can best be achieved, focusing on radically new approaches in which private enterprises would be closely en gaged.