Networks, Hypertext, and Academic Information Services: Some Longer-Range Implications

Abstract

Because computer network use is increasing so rapidly, we must begin to consider some of the longer-term issues that relate to scholarly information exchange in a networked environment, and the possible future roles of academic information services in that exchange. The growing capacity of the network, combined with the eventual ability to link any textual units with any others, may well have profound effects on scholarly communication and higher education, especially the relationship between readers and writers. Three examples of key responsibilities that may be assumed by academic information services in the online environment are (a) assistance with institutionally based publication, (b) work with authors on the indexing of their publications, and (c) the design of new, network-based document structures.