Mission impossible? The future of “paperless” library operations

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current state of the "paperless office" and explore how likely it is that libraries will be administered by librarians in paperless offices in the near future. Design/methodology/approach -This paper surveys the literature on forecasts for the paperless office to determine whether library operations and offices could be as paperless as some of their collections might be in the near future. Findings -The paperless office was once seen as inevitable, but is looking less far less likely given how we access and organize documents, how we read and understand information, and how we analyze what we read online and in print. Nonetheless, certain routine library operations would lend themselves almost immediately to paperless storage and retrieval processes and systems. Research limitations/implications -More research is required on records management systems in libraries with a view to establishing largely paperless operations in the future. Implications for future research involve the establishment of processes and the testing of systems which would most easily lend themselves to standard library operations. Practical implications -Recent research on reading and cognitive function indicates that there are certain practical implications involved in doing away with paper entirely. Nonetheless, certain routine library functions could be made paperless operations once practical considerations such as the choice of systems, establishment of work flow, policies and processes have been realized. Originality/value -The paper makes the case for more research and exploration of the viability of paperless or near-paperless library operations.

A call for libraries to go green

“…What a load of scrap”. McCormack (2011) expresses doubt on whether paperless library options are even possible, while Smith (2008) exclaims: “Welcome to my nightmare! The paperless office of 2010”.…”

Paperless Technologies in Universities: Examination in Terms of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)

“…Some studies on paper use have investigated how paper use will be shaped in light of technological developments. Lancaster [30] predicted that there would be major changes in libraries until the early 2000s and that a paperless society could be realized [9]. Some of the applications made by taking advantage of developing technology and information systems have reduced paper use in various areas.…”

“…This application aims to move from a paper-based infrastructure to a paperless and digital infrastructure. E-books have replaced previously printed books [9,34,35].…”

“…Digital processes to reduce paper use can generally be seen in organizations such as libraries, hospitals, banks, and universities [6][7][8]. E-libraries that provide services in a completely digital environment without printed books [9] and carrying out all patientspecific transactions in hospitals (examination appointments, diagnoses and treatments, analysis results, etc.) with electronic health records systems are some of the digital transactions [10,11].…”

The Economics of Paper Consumption in Offices

“…Hujala (2011) and Peters (2003) also confirmed that a growing number of personal computers in offices has increased paper consumption. Thus, the dream of paperless office has not yet become a reality (King & Toland, 2014) as paper consumption has continued to rise over the last few decades (McCormack, 2011). An increasing amount of paper consumption has also a significant impact on the environment and human health (Andrés, A. Zentner, & J. Zentner, 2014;Smith, 2011).…”