Top Ten Assumptions for the Future of Academic Libraries and Librarians

Posted by Max on 14 January, 2008 in Academic Libraries, Library News

From ACRL’s “Environmental Scan 2007” (PDF)

1. There will be an increased emphasis on digitizing collections, preserving digital archives, and improving methods of data storage, retrieval, curation, and service

2. The skill set for librarians will continue to evolve in response to the changing needs and expectations of the populations they serve, and the professional background of library staff will become increasingly diverse in support of expanded service programs and administrative needs

3. Students and faculty will continue to demand increasing access to library resources and services, and to expect to find a rich digital library presence both in enterprise academic systems and as a feature of social computing

4. Debates about intellectual property will become increasingly common in higher education, and resources and educational programming related to intellectual property management will become an important part of library service to the academic community

5. The evolution of information technology will shape both the practice of scholarly inquiry and the daily routine of students and faculty, and demands for technology-related services and technology-rich user environments will continue to grow and will require additional funding

6. Higher education will be increasingly viewed as a business, and calls for accountability and for quantitative measures of library contributions to the research, teaching, and service missions of the institution will shape library assessment programs and approaches to the allocation of institutional resources

7. As part of the “business of higher education,” students will increasingly view themselves as “customers” of the academic library and will demand high-quality facilities, resources, and services attuned to their needs and concerns

8. Online learning will continue to expand as an option for students and faculty – both on campus and off – and libraries will gear resources and services for delivery to a distributed academic community

9. Demands for free, public access to data collected, and research completed, as part of publicly funded research programs will continue to grow

10. The protection of privacy and support for intellectual freedom will continue to be defining issues for academic libraries and librarians

2 Comments on Top Ten Assumptions for the Future of Academic Libraries and Librarians

By Jeff on 17 January, 2008 at 6:32 am

I agree that digitization of publications is the most important. I found a website recently http://www.pressmart.net providing the services of digitization of all print publications (including archives).

By Maryann Sena on 22 January, 2008 at 3:19 pm

To reply to the article, and to reply from the perspective of a paraprofessional who is employed in an academic library, I find the information presented very interesting, and right on target.
Firstly, we should have the highest regard to service to our patrons, and viewing what we do as a business will lean towards that outcome.
Secondly, education is part of a direct process, which concludes in an anticipated outcome, and in today’s very competitive world, that outcome is higher than before.
Academia is being called to “landmarks” of accountability. Good. We have the best achievement in our end product. We are part of a betterment of the minds. We should all, as information assistants, be aware of our environmental changes and update our skills. I find the results more of a solidification of expectations. Lets get on with it, and not be afraid of changes.