The British Library and its digital future as a research library Available to Purchase

The purpose and current structure of the British Library are outlined and reviewed in the light of demands and opportunities of the digital age. The problems of the Library’s role in preserving the national published archive are indicated in relation to electronic products. The benefits of electronic means of access to the collections are described and a number of projects indicated. The role of curatorial staff within an electronic context is discussed with reference to the broader possibilities of international scholarly participation in the collections. In an era of diminishing purchasing grants, new approaches to finding resources, including private sector participation, are considered.