Costs and benefits: library and/or content manager?

Abstract

Knowledge management and knowledge transfer are becoming more and more fundamental functions of university libraries. However, in the environment created by the extensive use of ICT instruments, where each actor is building its own individual collection of content, it is not easy to promote the idea that library equals content manager at the university. This is why university libraries have to make an effort to form alliances and co-operate on every possible level. The Bologna process and the new law on higher education will enforce this new role, but the current funding structures do not favour the new endeavours of university libraries.