23 - A look back and forward

These exercises have been well worth the effort in reinforcing what we learned at Information Online 07, earlier this year. The new web is the new point of interaction between users, the point where ' information and imagination ' - to take Bayside's outlook can really take on a new perspective. The private library can take on a fresh dimension, the photo album becomes a resource for fellow travellers, and a link to families across the world. For Libraries, as David Lankes, a keynote speaker at the conference, discussed, the web is now the other branch to a library service. This exercise has shown how much interaction there can be by Libraries as single units, or by connectivity to larger engines.
The private person has an online Library ready for downloading, in the form of books to his pc or ipod, broadcasts and music whenever the time is right. There are innumerable points of connectivity with like minded web users, or the opportunity to start a new trend, or float an idea.
For the Library of today, whether they be small or large, there is huge potential to harness this new aspect of the Web to their advantage, and make the collections far more accessible and flexible in content and delivery. Audio and e-content has become a parallel runner with the print.
It is imperative the library staff keep abreast of these developments, and this is where this programme has shown so many possibilities, and realities.