The Future of Special Libraries in the Age of Digital Books and Journals

Abstract

The merits and demerits of digital books and digital journals are discussed in connection with the future of services in special libraries. It is concluded that special libraries will have to take part in what the author calls the “front-end functions of digital libraries, ” namely, supporting the technological and organizational environment of the user's network access, network reference service, and possibly, protecting the privacy and security of usage.