Virtualising the Bookshelf

Abstract

The author presented a paper at IATUL 2012 'Visualization for New Generation Users in the Age of the Electronic Book’ in which he described why we should take advantage of the rich visual tradition of the book cover and the opportunities offered by modern information technologies to restore to our readers some of the discovery opportunities we have lost in the transition from paper to electronic, a transition that is being driven by client demand for online materials that are available anywhere, anytime. In particular he talked about shelf browsing and new books displays as a valued part of our discovery tradition that had been eroded and diminished by this relentless drive towards electronic monograph content. Restoring serendipitous discovery has become a strategic imperative if libraries are to retain their relevance as places of discovery in the new online age.