Library and Information Science (LIS) and Computing/IT are closely related fields as both have at their very core the same object of concern: information and information services. Yet, weaknesses in the transfer of knowledge between the two domains have been apparent at both the conceptual and practice levels. The first question investigated in this thesis is what characterizes the relationship between LIS and IT and what have been its limitations and constraints. It is found that IT knowledge acquisition and transfer have been fragile and poorly consolidated, despite the history of common interests and interactions. As a result, the conceptual foundations of library information systems are still very much the same as they were in the analogue environment. However, deeper forms of IT knowledge are critical for the re-conceptualisation and redesign of library services in the face of the changes brought about by the network environment. These findings led to the investigation of a second question: how to enhance IT knowledge in LIS with durability and beyond the level of practical skills. This part of the research considered the hypothesis that the evolution of IT, and its conceptual underpinnings, can be a source of possible building blocks for common knowledge between LIS and IT. To explore this idea the field of computing/IT was analysed through the perspective of interoperability. A set of trends/concepts was identified as having potential applicability beyond the realm of technical IT systems, notably in the articulation of strategies for IT, information and organizational management. Overall, the study points out the need for a more effective participation of LIS in both the technical and social processes of IT production, reproduction and transformation. The conclusions suggest that a stronger appropriation of the ontology and languages of IT can help to overcome the limitations of the typical IT views in LIS and contribute to a more integrated model of communication between the fields.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:428029 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Cordeiro, Maria Inês Durão de Carvalho |
| Publisher | University College London (University of London) |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1446300/ |
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