Changing Perspectives on National Libraries: A Personal View

Abstract

The author's views of national libraries have, like national libraries and himself, changed since his first involvement with them in 1970 and his part in planning the British Library, which he joined on its establishment in 1973. National libraries exhibit enormous variety. He was concerned from the start with two main issues: what national libraries were actually for, and how they could render better service. Most used to be very inward-looking, but the advent of computers and information technology changed that, starting with bibliographic services. The future of national libraries now seems secure, if only as cultural institutions; and they can now link with other cultural institutions like national galleries and museums. Further advances in technology, notably digitization, are enabling them to make their collections more widely available. We can for the first time plan for a virtual global library. The fundamental questions however remain, and need to be repeatedly asked and answered.