What will become of the library empire?

Abstract

The article intends to critically discuss the opinions expressed by Steve Coffman in The decline and fall of the library empire, published in the April 2012 issue of the online magazine «Searcher». Coffman's paper examines the numerous attempts libraries have undertaken to assume a role in the digital revolution which has completely changed the information and knowledge environment: web directories, Library 2.0, virtual reference, intermediate searching, Internet public access and ebooks.
Coffman concludes that libraries, which were the starters of many ideas now in place to access knowledge on the Web, cannot compete with private companies – richer in resources and organisational skills – in managing and implementing the digital library.
Consequently, the author wonders if libraries shouldn't rather bet on their physical assets: collections, buildings and people, as this offer has no comparable service on the market.