OUTSOURCING OF CORPORATE INFORMATION-SERVICES - IMPLICATIONS FOR REDESIGNING CORPORATE LIBRARY-SERVICES

The current trend in outsourcing of information services threatens the survival of corporate libraries. Outsourceable services seem to deman d less case-by-case diagnosis and customization of products than in-ho use services. Consequently, it is advocated that corporate libraries r edesign their services to accentuate those characteristics. Librarians could serve as information counselors on project work teams so as to enhance the responsiveness and flexibility of library services to thei r clients' needs. The implications of this service model for staffing, and developing service and quality values are discussed. (C) 1996 Aca demic Press Limited