The economics of repository libraries in the context of the future conventional libraries

Purpose - This paper sets out to explore the place of the repository library in today's information world. Design/methodology/approach - This paper argues that it is important to view repository libraries anew and to re-invigorate the debate as to their value and their place in the digital world. The paper is also set in the context of the Caval Archival Records Management Centre (CARM), located in Melbourne, Australia. Findings - There seem to be three basic roles for the repository in the emerging digital world. First, there is a role managing the low-use legacy collections that will never be digitised, providing access to them in some defined service and pricing model. Second, there is a role to manage the vast array of learning objects that are being developed institutionally for online learning programs on behalf of existing institutional libraries and their learning and teaching units. Third, it can be argued that the peer review process is under severe pressure in the emerging digital world. Originality/value - Ascertains that repository libraries need to debate a new, more active and involved role in their information communities. Much will be gained from a rigorous re-examination of the economics of systems rather than of individual repositories.