The big picture: reflections on the future of libraries and librarians

Eric Wainwright

Abstract
This is an edited version of a talk first given to the ALIA University, College and Research Libraries Section, ACT Group, on 20 April 1995 and repeated on 17 August for staff of the National Library of Australia, and transcribed from that second presentation. It examines the probable impact of technological and social developments between now and the year 2010. All organisations will be subject to radical changes, with libraries facing more challenges than most. Librarians will have to unlearn some of their presnent attitudes and to realise that they are in the 'information understanding business', rather than in the business of supplying information, and be generally more flexible and adaptable.