New Library World

Law, Derek

2014 New Library World

doi: 10.1108/NLW-05-2014-0054

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to explore the changing skill sets, operating environments and community engagement activities which can create a robust and valued future for libraries and librarians. It is easy to paint a doom-laden picture of the future of libraries against a background of library cuts, professional deskilling and the relentless advance of ever more powerful digital information systems. However, these self-same threats offer new challenges for information management. Design/methodology/approach – Personal view of the future based on current literature. Findings – It is better to seek forgiveness than permission. Seize the day. Research limitations/implications – Just one point of view among many. Practical implications – Librarians need to act. Social implications – The library can remain core to civilised societies. Originality/value – Others must judge that.

Smith, Charlie

2014 New Library World

doi: 10.1108/NLW-04-2014-0034

Purpose – This paper aims to contribute to discussion about the changing role of libraries and their collections, through discussing projects designed by architecture students. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reflects on design projects produced by final-year students studying for an undergraduate degree in architecture. A project was set for a group of students to design a “Book Repository”. Each researched their own interpretation of what this might be, given contemporary issues such as increasing digitisation, falling numbers of library visitors, changing users’ needs and what they interpret as a future for books. This paper reviews a selection of the projects in the context of contemporary research, and discusses the book as a physical object, contemporary library design and the role of libraries as civic buildings. Findings – Despite being designed by digitally literate students, physical books are highly significant in every project; however, the cultural significance of the books is more important than the objects themselves. Also, the provision of spaces for the act of reading is notably absent. The relationship between the library and its context was a key theme for several projects, which explore innovative means through which to engage the public. Originality/value – Collectively these projects contribute to debate over the role of books and libraries in contemporary culture through the eyes of young designers. The paper will be of interest to those involved in the procurement and design of libraries.

Chadwell, Faye ; C. Sutton, Shan

2014 New Library World

doi: 10.1108/NLW-05-2014-0049

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide a vision for how academic libraries can assume a more central role in a future where open access (OA) publishing has become the predominant model for disseminating scholarly research articles. Design/methodology/approach – The authors analyze existing trends related to OA policies and publishing, with an emphasis on the development of repositories managed by libraries to publish and disseminate articles. They speculate that these trends, coupled with emerging economic realities, will create an environment where libraries will assume a major role in the OA publishing environment. The authors provide some suggestions for how this major role might be funded. Findings – The trends and economic realities discussed will lead to new roles for academic librarians and will change the existing roles. Originality/value – This article provides insights for academic libraries and their institutions to consider a dramatic shift in the deployment of subscription dollars from a dysfunctional and largely closed scholarly communication system to one that provides open, unfettered access to research results.

Matthews, Graham ; Walton, Graham

2014 New Library World

doi: 10.1108/NLW-05-2014-0062

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore issues, approaches and challenges in providing strategic direction to university libraries on developing their physical space in what is increasingly a digital age. A key aspect of the work is to explore how university libraries and their senior staff can widen libraries’ role to inform the strategic direction of formal and informal learning spaces across the institution. Design/methodology/approach – Research and perspectives from across the world provide the context for the study. A single site case study based at Loughborough University in the UK is explored to demonstrate how strategy for university library space is developed. The case study also provides an example of how a university library has extended its influence on other informal learning spaces. Findings – University library physical space has an important role in learning, teaching and research, despite the increase in digital information provision. For effective strategy, information and evidence needs to be collected from a wide range of sources. The experience and skills that university libraries have developed in managing learning spaces can be transferred to learning spaces elsewhere in the university. Research limitations/implications – This is a single site case study. Practical implications – The case study provides approaches and ideas that can be applied by university libraries in the strategic development of learning spaces. Originality/value – The paper provides an innovative and informed insight into how university libraries can influence learning and teaching spaces across university campus/site. Further research would be valuable to identify practice more widely. Surveying, from a library perspective, university and university estate, management strategies for content relating to libraries and formal and informal spaces across the institution and what is going on/being planned in this area would further progress the debate.

L. H. Chan, Diana ; Spodick, Edward

2014 New Library World

doi: 10.1108/NLW-04-2014-0042

Purpose – The purpose of this case study is to describe the space transformation of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library (HKUST Library) into a learning commons and how learning activities have been substantially multiplied by engaging academic and supporting units. This experience is used to posit a number of anticipated directions for library space planning. Design/methodology/approach – This paper focuses on the design elements of the learning commons and how these elements have created an effective platform for a variety of learning activities. It outlines an assessment study on how students liked the transformed space and viewed its added values. Findings – In the digital era, academic libraries can be transformed for new, effective and collaborative use. By integrating technology and flexible design, the new space excites existing scholars and attracts a broad range of new users. Students, faculty and administrators react positively to the new space, as it offers effective learning ambience. By engaging and co-creating with university partners, the new space functions as an active facilitator of learning – a hub that supports interaction and an effective platform to support pedagogy towards team projects, multimedia work and whole-person development. Future library spaces need to exhibit characteristics tailored to various user groups and their specific usage needs. Originality/value – The experience of the HKUST library will have broader implications for other academic libraries embracing their mission-critical nature and assets. It shows that libraries can embrace challenges in the digital and virtual world by creative and innovative use of their physical space.

Soules, Aline

2014 New Library World

doi: 10.1108/NLW-04-2014-0040

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review current strategies in collections, selection and the access libraries provide, to present scenarios that illustrate the roles libraries are beginning to play and to discuss viable strategies for libraries in the future. Design/methodology/approach – An extensive review of the literature was conducted to identify current strategies in collections and selection, and to explore innovations in access strategies that reveal future directions. Findings – Librarians are redefining collections and selection, implementing new strategies to provide information that is more relevant to today’s needs, focusing more intently on niche collections and experimenting in access strategies to market information and increase use. Practical implications – Libraries’ survival depends on re-thinking the philosophy and approach to collections, selection and access. Social implications – Libraries need this shift in thinking and approach to find their place in the new information world. Originality/value – The paper provides an overview of current thinking in collections, selection and access, prompts thought about new directions in this area and provides a forum for discussion.

van de Pas, John

2014 New Library World

doi: 10.1108/NLW-05-2014-0047

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a signpost to the librarian that might be helpful in making strategic assessments for the future of the public library, and helping in the process of decision-making about the course to be followed. Thereby critical remarks about the Internet-based “virtual library lobby” are summed up as arguments against following that path blindly, and alternatives to a technology-centred approach are put forward by focusing on the cultural uses of the library as a public place. Design/methodology/approach – In this article a viewpoint is developed, based on an exploration of selected literature on the function of the library as an institution in society, and different viewpoints that are put forward in the debate on the future of libraries in the Internet era are analyzed. Some contend that going virtual is the only feasible course to take. Others emphasize that many functions of the library are unquantifiable because of their cultural nature, and rooted in physical interaction of citizens with a real space of bricks, mortar and books. These functions may never be fully virtualized, but are deemed essential to the community in which the library institution is rooted, and even society at large. Findings – If librarians choose the technological path of the virtual library, they are rapidly being made obsolete by the multinational commercial information aggregators, where free access to information is no longer provided. If the library takes the cultural path, defining its future as an institution instrumental to “the commons” providing freedom to citizens, the actual use citizens make of library as public places should be taken as central starting point for a feasible future, and technology should be used as a means to that end. Research limitations/implications – The article is a viewpoint, based on a limited selection of literature. Practical implications – The viewpoint offers a critical assessment relevant to those librarians responsible for creating a roadmap for the future of their public library. Social implications – This study underpins the importance of the public library as one of the last true public areas, open to all for the benefit of the community. Originality/value – This study offers a different point of view, possibly even a warning call, against embracing technological determinism that brings with it enclosure of The Commons, which the Public Library in its true meaning should offer. Internet-based services are often put forward (and welcomed by many) as the solution for the future for free access to information. In the article, the case is made that unfettered free access for information to citizens is at odds with actual developments on the Internet, that according to leading Internet critics is rapidly being turned into a commercial advertising platform or market place.

E. Massis, Bruce

2014 New Library World

doi: 10.1108/NLW-03-2014-0030

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest that librarians and libraries must demonstrate rationalization of, and innovation in, the library, with the goal of ensuring a sustainable future for both the profession and the institution. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, literature review and commentary on this topic have been addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners. Findings – Myth-shattering remains as critical for the library’s survival as is a forward-facing posture. If the public, the funders, grantors, legislators and other government entities can recognize the continuing need filled by the library, not only as a welcoming and respected center of a community, but as a knowledge hub brimming with research to support innovation, the rationalization regarding its continuance will be unnecessary. Originality/value – The value in addressing this issue is to highlight the libraries must be viewed not only as a symbol of stability in the community but also as innovators.