Use of IT by senior managers in UK academic libraries

Abstract

In commerce and industry, senior managers are starting to make extensive personal use of microcomputers. Such tasks as diary maintenance, word processing, electronic messaging, spreadsheet applications and even expert systems are becoming commonplace. Are these developments reflected in the way senior library managers in the UK are using IT? A six‐month British Library funded project, based at Bristol Polytechnic Library, has surveyed the UK academic sector and has examined case studies of particularly interesting applications. This paper presents a summary of the project's findings and discusses what needs to be done to encourage more widespread use of microcomputers by senior library managers.