The first group is scholars. We need to work closely with them not only to know and anticipate their research and teaching interests, but also to learn how they work to create and disseminate knowledge. The second group is publishers. We are so intimately linked with them in systems of collection and access that we together must find ways of reforming the systems of distribution of publications. The third group is ourselves.
Librarians have a long and proud record of working together to improve the lot of scholars at large.
Now, more than ever before, we must find ways to combine and leverage our local resources, talents, and funding to serve effectively our immediate communities and the international community of scholars and citizens who depend on our vision and energy to secure research collections for current and future generations. An issue on which librarians must take the lead is to assure that archival collections of publications exist somewhere in safe and accessible formats with finding aids readily available to potential users. A related notion is the conception of a collection as constantly in flux. This conception has profound implications for the mix of resource investments in space, staff, and technology in libraries. The temptation to sketch a scenario for research library collections in the early 21st century is irresistible.