Although its replacement has not yet been fully developed, the traditional book is likely to be largely superseded in the foreseeable future by electronic publishing. Libraries will become book museums; with librarians as curators; many other librarians will find themselves dealing with unlimited and unpackaged information rather than with pre-packaged artefacts, in a role which will include facilitating and championing public access to information. The electronic ‘virtual library’ will encompass visual as well as verbal information; it will subsume art libraries except insofar as art libraries will become museums, but both the ‘virtual library’ and art libraries will continue to require the skills and vision of art librarians. Finally, in the short term, and perhaps indefinitely, the ‘virtual library’ and the ‘book library’ may not diverge to the extent of parting company altogether: the latter may continue to function as one gateway providing access to the latter.

The Internet is a worldwide network of electronic networks which is growing rapidly. Access to resources is facilitated by a number of ‘systems’, including Gopher and World Wide Web. Improvements in the organisation of and access to Internet resources are certain to be developed, and librarians may have a rok to play. Meanwhile libraries are involved in introducing users to different kinds of information resources including those available on the Internet. Art librarians should be aware in particular of five sites which are useful starting points foi looking at art resources in the Internet: ArtSource, Art Navigator, ArtWorlc Online, World Arts Resources, and Fine Art Forum Online.

The Internet affords the librarian many opportunities to enhance reference services. Online reference tools such as library catalogs, specialized indexes, directories, dictionaries, etc. provide access to bibliographic information, organizational information, and information about the net itself. In addition to the information resources available on the net, its communications power facilitates exchange of information and efficient use of expertise. Although finding specific information on the net can sometimes be a problem, due to the quantity of data and the net’s rapid expansion, search tools are being developed to mine the riches of the Internet. (This article is based on a paper presented at the 22nd annual ARLIS/NA Conference at Providence, Rhode Island, 15th February 1994).