Digital technology and governance in transition: The case of the British Library

Comment on the organizational consequences of the new information and communications technologies (ICTs) is pervaded by a powerful imagery of disaggregation and a tendency for ?virtual? forms of production to be seen as synonymous with the ?end? of bureaucracy. This paper questions the underlying assumptions of the ?virtual organization?, highlighting the historically enduring, diversified character of the bureaucratic form. The paper then presents case study findings on the web-based access to information resources now being provided by the British Library (BL). The case study evidence produces two main findings. First, radically decentralised virtual forms of service delivery are heavily dependent on new forms of capacity-building and information aggregation. Second, digital technology is embedded in an inherently contested and contradictory context of institutional change. Current developments in the management and control of digital rights are consistent with the commodification of the public sphere. However, the evidence also suggests that scholarly access to information resources is being significantly influenced by the ?information society? objectives of the BL and other institutional players within the network of UK research libraries

Student fees and loans in UK higher education

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:m01/16641 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Our universities our future 4 - the case for a new higher education funding system; special report

The CVCP's evidence to the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher EducationSIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:q96/30273 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Guidelines on student mental health policies and procedures for higher education

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:m02/37450 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Part-time study in higher education

SIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Our universities our future 2 - main evidence

The CVCP's evidence to the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher EducationSIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:q96/30271 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Joint Planning Group for Quality Assurance in Higher Education Final report

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:q96/33258 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Higher education staff Pay review and professionalism

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:99/38887 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

The Government's student loans scheme

First published Aug 1994, updated Jan 1996SIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Student finance - sources of financial support for UK higher education students

SIGLEGBUnited Kingdo