The academic research library in the postmodern era

Abstract

The need to change the academic research library to enable it to survive the astounding pace and radical nature of the postmodern transformation of society is now generally recognized, albeit imperfectly, and programmes designed to bring about the changes perceived to be necessary are everywhere in evidence. The present paper questions the general thrust of these programmes, offering its criticism based on the performativity criterion. While it takes a conservative position the paper it not in essence opposed to the new orthodoxy that is currently determining the prescriptions for changing the modus operandi of academic libraries. The paper sets out to describe some of the philosophical and historical bases of the ongoing development of the information society of which its technological apparatus is only the expression.