Some members of the reading public can use the Internet for research directly from their desktops, without requiring the intermediary of any library. They may be able to obtain answers to research questions without visiting the Library.
Users of the Internet can gain access to Internet information resources in two ways:
In other words, we can envision scenarios for Internet access which do, and which do not, involve the British Library.
Here, as with other scenarios, use is limited to readers who do not require sight of originals. For these users, the Internet is increasingly able to act as an information resource containing much reference material and specialist knowledge.
The Internet suffers, as is frequently observed, from lack of quality controls; but nevertheless can be considered as a "first resort" for increasing numbers of potential readers. Another drawback is that it is poorly organised for resource discovery; but this shortcoming is mitigated by the rapid improvements in search technologies and by the establishment of organised resources of data and meta-data [24].
However, there is no quantitative basis for predicting the magnitude of reduction in demand.
Some reduction is demand for reading room space can be anticipated due to access to the Internet outside the Library, but this is not quantifiable.
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