Opportunities and threats: the macroeconomic environment of British and German university libraries

Abstract

Outlines the key macroeconomic factors influencing British and German uni versity libraries, and critically analyzes threats and opportunities arising from the changing environment in both countries. The political changes in Britain and Germany have resulted in reduced funds for libraries in both countries but, whereas in Britain the declining economic situation in the 1980s led to a reduction of public funds and an increased emphasis on account ability, effectiveness and efficiency, it is only recently that attitudes have begun to change in Germany. The different structure and state of each country's education system presents university librarians with a particular set of prob lems : German librarians are facing tech nologically inadequate libraries, and ever increasing student numbers, whereas British librarians have to cope with the increased competitiveness of the education sector, with shrinking funds and almost continual changes in expectations and demands upon them. Recommends for both countries the essential need for long range, strategic planning based upon a knowledge of their own specific environments.