FROM MANUSCRIPTS TO METADATA: THE CHANGING FACE OF LOCAL STUDIES LIBRARIANSHIP.

In a period of rapid change local studies librarians worldwide are facing new challenges of increased demand and limited financial resources. An overview of the development of British local studies libraries, with reference to local studies in other countries, and the role of the local studies librarian precedes a discussion of the impact of digitisation of materials and the use of social media. Paper given at A sense of place: local studies in Australia and New Zealand conference Sydney 5-6 May 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]