The IMPEL Project at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle: background, methodology and progress.

Abstract

The IMPEL Project (IMpact on People of Electronic Libraries) is now into its second year. The project's focus, succinctly expressed by its title, is on the human implications of increased provision of information by electronic means, all too easily neglected at a time when technology is developing faster than it can easily be assimilated. The project grew out of it's leaders' personal and professional interests, those of a Head of Department of Information and Library Management and of a practising academic librarian; it is strengthened by such collaboration. A Steering Group of seven, each with acknowledged special expertise, meets regularly and provides guidance and support; the value of their input cannot be underestimated. This initial stage of IMPEL concentrates on qualified librarians in the UK higher education sector, laying the groundwork for possible future study of other groups and related aspects of the phenomenon commonly referred to as the 'electronic library'.