{"product_id":"the-digital-challenge-for-libraries-ralph-blanchard-9780595350698","title":"The Digital Challenge for Libraries: Understanding the Culture and Technology of Total Information","description":"Public and university libraries are at a crossroads, hard-pressed by competition from Internet search engines, declining budgets and changes in popular culture. Libraries must respond aggressively. Otherwise they will be marginalized by the impact of digital technology on their traditional customer base. Author Ralph Blanchard, drawing on twenty years of experience as an information services entrepreneur, argues that it is irresponsible for librarians to simply turn academic tasks over to search engines, as many do. Instead, libraries should expand digital services and, using the tactics and strategies of successful for-profit information service businesses, reconnect with their customers by promoting themselves as 21st Century information experts. Topics in this wide-ranging study include:  \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe library as a service business \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChange, risk and unintended consequences \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Internet search engine business model \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProblems with students using search engines \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe evolution of \"ambient information\" \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMusic and information technology \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\"Millennials\" as library customers \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHiring and training library information workers \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePush and viral marketing strategies for libraries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003ci\u003eThe Digital Challenge for Libraries\u003c\/i\u003e calls for new initiatives by librarians and for a rekindling of interest in the vital role libraries play in an informed, prosperous and democratic society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Ralph Blanchard\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0595350690\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780595350698\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e iUniverse\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/22\/2005\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 208\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.69lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.48d","brand":"Ralph Blanchard","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47199872418047,"sku":"9780595350698","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_6be47bfe-b641-462e-b921-505b7732732f.jpg?v=1756785438","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-digital-challenge-for-libraries-ralph-blanchard-9780595350698","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}