Chaos in the library environment Available to Purchase

Describes the impact of chaos theory in social systems and the phenomena that result from it, drawing attention to related phenomena in the state of the library today. It then considers the factors that lead library systems to exhibit chaotic behaviour. These factors are the plethora of technological tools and the variety of software and interfaces, the dependence of resource providers and the increasing supply and diversity of information resources. The changes dictated by these factors influence the internal operations of the library, communication between libraries, the methods and channels of providing user services, the time taken to access information and knowledge, and the numbers and variety of users and their unique ways of searching. In conclusion, the organisational changes in libraries dictated by the unpredictability and instability of the present state are identified, including the organisational transition of library management, staff education concerning the new tools and resources, and user education about assist search techniques.