Future of the book : a retrospective prospective

Abstract

This essay is comprised of two principal components; the first part is an evaluation of the attributes of the traditional printed book and the potential for electronic information resources to supplant these. The basis for this section will be a critical review of the literature surrounding this subject from the 1950s to the present day. The second part of the essay will draw conclusions from the material considered, with the intention that these may act as an aid to informed decision-making regarding the future of the book and the associated planning and provision of future library service. In this light these conclusions shall also be related to the New Zealand National Library's Collection Policy as released in July of 1996. From this material I shall also attempt to make a final prognosis on the future of the printed book.