Changing world - changinglibraries

Abstract

The author discusses two broad issues: the fransition to the information society, and the consequences of political and socioeconomic changes in this country to libraries. The characteristic features of the information society can be observed through changes in the employment structure, through the rapid development of the computer and telecommunications technology as fundamental requirements of the information infrastructure. However, computerized library services have appeared reiatively early in this eountry: e.g., the Library of the Veszprém University introduced SDI services based on the Chemical Absfracts magnetic tapes in 1971, followed shortly by Online services, PC utilization in libraries, building of databases, use of CD-ROM databases and the introduction of integrated library systems. As a consequence of the political changes in this country, the independence of libraries has grown to form the basic criteria of voluntary cooperation between them. However, because of the insufficient financial conditions, particular attentlon has been pald to cost effectiveness and to the reconsideration ot library policies (e.g., better utilization of buildings, user orlented ac-quisition policy). Fee-based services are proliferating. More favourable acquisition possibilities are sought for. New services, in accordance with the socioeconomic demand, have been introduced, e.g. information services for enterprises.