Expert speakers tackle

the challenge of change

The conference programme will identify how by working together librarians, information professionals and publishers can meet increasing demand for high-quality digital content from their different user communities, as Google, Microsoft and other non-traditional players in the information market move into libraries' domain.

An irreversible trend

This significant, irreversible trend is challenging established business models and impacting upon the way services are offered. Research shows Google as the starting point for information search for a significant proportion of users, but how are they then evaluating the quality of the content retrieved?

Against this background, expert speakers will discuss what action is needed to ensure the information environment remains structured and ordered and does not descend into anarchy?

Comprehensive programme

The programme will open with a Keynote Presentation about the current digital information landscape and a distillation of various future scenarios. This will be followed by two authoritative presentations to focus on The future of digital information from a librarian's and publisher's perspective.

An examination of Ebooks as an example of a fast-moving development in digital information will follow. Challenges and opportunities for libraries and publishers as well as individual users will be examined.

Participatory mode

The conference will then shift into a participatory mode with smaller specialist parallel sessions to encourage discussion and debate among delegates.

One will focus on Digitisation and explore the potential for completely new research, utilising text mining and visualization tools. The key issues that must be considered in any digitisation project will be identified. Simultaneously, a second session will discuss potential Use of mobile technologies to deliver essential information to practitioners with a Case Study from the NHS.

Delegates can then choose a session on Technological developments which will show how technology can facilitate fast finding, easier access, and greater use of information, as well as social interaction, sharing of information and mash-ups.

Alternatively, running parallel, will be a session on The digital future for public libraries. A key question will be how public libraries can compete with search engines, and should they try?

A final plenary session titled What future for digital information? will complete the day and draw together key trends prior to a final Open Forum session.  There will be ample opportunity during the day for delegates to raise issues and debate them with speakers and other delegates in the sessions, refreshment breaks and during the closing Networking Reception.