Essay on What will happen to the Library as a Physical Place as more and more access is Electronic

People conducting research go online first, and they're increasingly self-sufficient. Further, they are largely satisfied with this arrangement. When asked how they prefer to get information, information seekers express an overwhelming preference to look for it themselves. The next most popular way to get information is through regular updates ("alerts"). These are both mostly non-intermediated activities, although, in some cases, an intermediary may be involved in creating or assisting in the creation of alerts. (Richard E. Rubin. (2004))

Self-seeking of information is not necessarily an online activity, but when examining that preference at a deeper level, those who exhibit this preference strongly favor online media. Over half (51 percent) begin their self-seeking activity on the open Internet, looking for free content there. The next most prevalent preference is to get information from their organization's intranet (35 percent). On the other hand, going to a physical library is only the fifth most common preference, chosen by only 3 percent. It becomes very clear that the information user preference is self-seeking via online tools available at the desktop.

With regard to information users' preference for media when seeking information, again, the top choices are electronic/digital. Over two-thirds (67 percent) say they prefer to seek and receive information in an electronic format (Internet, intranet, e-mail, other electronic formats) or by telephone (14 percent). Only 10 percent say print is their preferred medium for seeking and receiving information. There is a shift to a print preference when information users are asked how they prefer to use the information once they have found it (over half 51 percent express this preference), but in Outsell's opinion, the desire to use information from the printed page will be satisfied by individuals printing it out from their own computer, rather than relying on the library's print collection.................

ESSAYS ON TECHNOLOGY