Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Grainger Engineering Library Symposium [PAGE 24]

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with government and business to ensure the flow of talent and ideas that will enrich the lives of the public. There are some who question the future of libraries and their role in managing access to knowledge. They question the capabilities of librarians to meet the challenges posed by these dramatic developments. They question the ability of libraries to respond to an information world that is predominantly online and not in the stacks. In the words of one questioner from the information industry at a symposium last summer, "What could libraries have to offer on the information superhighway?" My response was that at Illinois we are not entirely sure. But with an avarage of 1.5 million log-ins to our online catalog each week we must have something that people want! In some respects our more cautious approach to the new world of online knowledge will be a stabilizing factor in the university environment. We know that requirements for the education of librarians will change. We know that the mix of materials that the university library will own or lease is already changing. However, we also know that the cumulative investment in the comprehensive collection we now have will continue to be of value. Even the Nobel Prize Committee recognizes the current value of discoveries made decades ago. Ours is a simple vision for the university and the University Library. At the heart of our academic programs will be a comprehensive network of information services and technologies that support teaching, learning, and research using both local and external knowledge sources. Earlier this month the University of Illinois was recognized as one of six institutions selected to do research and development on elements of the digital library of the future. The stimulation of this work by a federal agency and its requirements for business, industrial and other institutional partners is one viable model for moving us forward. We look forward to more success in attracting partners to research and development programs that exploit the capabilities of the University Library.

PAQI

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