The challenge is several dimensions greater than introducing library automation or putting new technology into a production line. The electronic library is a different outcome which radically changes the material available to help people learn. The change is such that really big questions have to be asked about how we handle things, as part of a holistic approach. This also brought new demands on staff. No-one should come into the information business today without good IT skills, but we need to have people who are flexible.
People have to be responsive to change, and it's as much an attitude of mind as anything.
Career and organisational plans can change at any time. The issue of skilling is not just technical skills. It's to do with team playing, communication, presentation, being able to see an opportunity, and being multi-talented is all of these. We ended our discussion of this issue on a positive note, with the affirmation that we were already producing professionals with the necessary attitude, and that this was coupled with strong IT skills and a general acceptance of the growing technological character of the information profession. Perhaps one of the most newsworthy of Mel Collier's interests has been the structure and management of new services.