Communicating effectively in the networked organisation: using electronic mail in academic libraries

This paper discusses key themes from British Library funded research carried out between 1995 and 1997 into electronic communication in academic libraries in the UK. The research focused in particular on the intra-organisational use of electronic mail (email) - that is, on its use by colleagues within the same library organisation for internal activities and collaborative work. The main features of current practice in email use in academic libraries are outlined, and, drawing on experience in the sector and on pointers from the literature, the paper discusses a number of issues of relevance to developing effective network communities in information services.