market research - academic library of 21st century

Authors Avatar

Market Research Assignment

Academic library of the 21st century

Course title: BA International Business

Introduction

The purpose of this assignment is to learn about modern academic libraries and establish which changes have to be made in order for the libraries to meet the needs of 21st century students. In today’s information age particularly, more technological study resources are becoming available, enabling students to access vast amounts of information on the Internet. This has significant impact on traditional services offered by the academic library. Although actions have been taken in order to respond to the technological changes through means of online databases and catalogues, so far the possibilities for further development have not been considered fully. Technological change is just one of the main factors affecting how the modern library operates and evolves.  

The purpose of this study is to investigate these factors. In order to do so,  a comprehensive collection and evaluation of information is required. Both primary data, which is to be collected using questionnaires aimed at the target demographic of individuals who affect or are affected by the library as an organisation. Secondary data, which has been collected previously, but relates to the subject and can be found through various sources such as books, magazines, newspapers etc.

Literature Review

In order to understand the issues, which are concerned with the changes academic libraries undergo to meet the demands of the 21st century, better, we have conducted a thorough literature research, which will add further value to our preliminary research. A thorough literature review and analysis of preliminary research results will be a useful tool, when putting together the final questionnaire. Most useful articles were gained from Emerald Insight, a database aimed at the academic sector. It is updated daily and uses reliable sources of information, related to various academic topics.

Much of the literature on the changes taking place in the modern academic library are concerned with improving strategic planning. Modern British academic libraries are an industry in their own right. They represent a 100 million pound a year turnover industry, employing nearly 2500 staff and posses collections worth billions of pounds. Like any other business, the success of its future depends on the ability to adapt to the changes of the modern world and adjust services to meet the demands of its customers - students. The future of the modern academic library is a popular and controversial subject.

The internet allows students to access vast resources of information outside the library. These changes are making it harder for the library to compete with modern technologies, and therefore strategic planning is crucial.

Join now!

Through searching through many articles using Emerald Insight,  I had found a vast amount of information relating to the progression of the modern academic libraries, in contrast with the inevitable evolution of technological changes and advancements. I identified many factors which occupy this controversial debate of the modern academic library.

Books can be leather bound, old or new. They are records of fact or fiction, and can hold memories of past events. They usually live on library shelves, but eventually will be electronically stored on a vast worldwide database, no longer will customers have to search through ...

This is a preview of the whole essay