Library Web Chic

Ever since I finished my second Masters degree I’ve been annoyed that I didn’t have access to the databases that provide information on library and information science publications. My place of work as Library Literature but I really missed having LISA (Library and Information Science Abstracts) and other library science or information technology resources. Therefore when I saw that EBSCO was going to provide free access to Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts I jumped for joy! They even set up a nice easy to remember URL for people to use as well: http://www.libraryresearch.com. Its nice to see a company like EBSCO giving back. However, it upsets me that it has take this long for someone to do this. One of the biggest problems our profession faces is the rapid pace of change and trying to keep up with that change. This is incredibly difficult to do if librarians do not have access to information being published within our own discipline. Frankly, I’m lucky because I work in a large academic library. Most of the things that I want are here, or if they aren’t here can be obtained relatively easily. However, what are librarians working in public or school library settings supposed to do? How can we expect our profession to survive if we don’t support (in more that mere lip service ways) professional development and growth? How can we expect our library administrators and staff to make good decisions if they don’t have access to these materials either? Thank EBSCO for making the effort, maybe other vendors will see what you have done and open up access to other library resources as well.