The Disembodied Librarian in the Digital Age, Part II

Abstract

In the January issue of College & Research Libraries, the author began a discussion of four profound historical discontinuities—time and space, mind and body, real and virtual, and humans and technology—that are reaching critical thresholds as we enter the twenty-first century. Existing within multiple environments—technological, social, and cultural, these discontinuities are seldom acknowledged, but their influence on the future of our institutions is incalculable. An awareness of these discontinuities will assist librarians in (1) creating a new virtual space for libraries as physical space becomes less important, (2) adapting to states of disembodiment caused by roles deeply embedded in virtual environments, and (3) developing the new value-added services necessary for survival in the next millennium. In part II of this discussion, these discontinuities are related to new ways of being and thinking about the future of librarians and libraries. This article is followed by responses from Barbara Moran and Laverna Saunders.