The “great exchange”: the economic promise and peril of the digital library

The economic aspects of new information delivery technologies have been overshadowed by the selection and implementation concerns associated with their introduction to library patrons, staff and systems. This oversight is unfortunate, because these technology changes can offer unprecedented opportunities for cost savings, while at the same time producing significant improvements in staff and patron productivity. Some costs and benefits are readily apparent, while others need more rigorous analysis. The economic consequences of the introduction of digital library products certainly merits increased attention from library managers.