The Challenge of the Virtual Library The Challenge of the Virtual Library

The escalation in the library customer's demand for access to electronic resources has library administrators considering and implementing the creation of the all-electronic, full-service “virtual library.” As the information needs of the general public have become ever more sophisticated, the ability to obtain easy access not only to reference resources, but to all library services electronically has become a major expectation of the library customer. Therefore, whether it is virtual or traditional, any service that can be offered from the library, excluding perhaps actually taking possession of a borrowed book, must be available to all.