Adapting to changing user expectations

Results of user surveys indicate that science and technology library user needs differ from those of humanists and social scientists and are changing rapidly. Science and technology libraries are taking the lead in adapting the public services model accordingly. Science and technology library users are most interested in easy-to-use access tools and library Web sites that enable them to find information on their own as well as easy access to materials from home and office. Their expectations are based on the speed of access provided by the Web and through search engines like Google. As fewer users come to the library, librarians are responding by going to the users. The role of subject librarians is changing from staffing a reference desk and buying materials to that of “field librarian,” a traveling librarian who spends time with researchers in labs and offices, helping users to install client software and to learn how to make best use of library electronic resources.