Libraries as the gate: “ways” and “keepers” in the knowledge environment

Abstract

Purpose

This paper examines whether the library is a gateway to knowledge, or a gatekeeper in the digital knowledge environment.

Design/methodology/approach

An online opinion survey was carried out using the LinkedIn social media.

Findings

Half (50 per cent) of the respondents regarded the library as both gateway and gatekeeper; 47 per cent as gateway; and 1 per cent as gatekeeper. Challenges to the library functioning in either of the roles were those of technology use in serving their clientele.

Research limitations/implications

The implication for librarians and libraries in the perceived blend of the two roles of gateway and gatekeeper is significant. Future research could find out the effect of the new open access movement on gateway/gatekeeper roles in libraries.

Practical implications

Libraries as gateways should cater for problems of access, accessibility, copyright violations, institutional repository issues, security issues (physical and electronic) and others. As gatekeepers there is the need to collaborate in resources sharing, training opportunities and content.

Social implications

With libraries as gateways and gatekeepers, society will be able to have improved library services and assured of access with the new digital publishing dynamics in a balanced environment.

Originality/value

The paper is valuable to libraries and librarians as it helps them to redefine their functions with the changes ongoing in the knowledge environment.

Citation

Oyelude, A.A. and Bamigbola, A.A. (2012), "Libraries as the gate: “ways” and “keepers” in the knowledge environment", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 29 No. 8, pp. 7-10. https://doi.org/10.1108/07419051211287615