IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON THE ACADEMIC RESEARCH LIBRARY'S COLLECTION AND COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY: PERCEPTIONS OF THE DIRECTORS AND COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT LIBRARIANS OF ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH LIBRARIES' MEMBER INSTITUTIONS AND NETWORK OFFICIALS

This study sought to determine the extent of usage of technology in the modern academic research library and the effects of that technology on the library's collection and collection development policy. In addition, the study respondents were asked to foresee future possible uses of technology and its probable impact on the future library's collections and functions. The study's population consisted of three groups, Directors of Association of Research Libraries, Collection Development Librarians of Association of Research Libraries and the Directors of the computerized online library networks.; The study's major premise was that a person's perception of the present and future effects of technology is a function of three variables: position, demographics, and the personality factor of resistance to technology as measured by the resistance scale.; The study was conducted by the survey method. Questionnaires were distributed in April, 1981 and a follow-up distribution was made in May, 1981.; Results of the study showed no significant difference between the three groups as to their perceptions of the present and future effects of technology on libraries. The study revealed that those respondents with a low level of resistance to technology as measured by the Resistance Scale had a more positive perception of the likelihood of change due to technology taking place. The study also revealed that those respondents with a high present involvement in technology would have a more immediate time frame for the implementation of changes due to technology. Contrary to the hypotheses of the study, the study's three groups showed more similarity than dissimilarity in their view of technology and its present and future uses and effects on the library.