The academic library and the relational turn

The biggest long term driver for the academic library is the nature of its parent organization. In a time of reassessment what does this mean for library managers and planners? This presentation will consider three factors. First, it will consider three emphases within higher education and how the institutional balance between them shapes library thinking: student success, research, and career preparedness. Second, it will consider how the focus of successful libraries has entered a relational phase. Libraries were defined by collections, then by services. Now the library is defined by the quality of its engagement with campus priorities, its relationships and its ability to co-develop services and programs. Finally, how does library cooperation play into library thinking? Mechanisms to scale library learning and innovation are more important than ever, and consortia like AMICAL have a crucial role here.

Related readings:

• University Futures are shaping Library Futures
• The powers of library consortia: how consortia scale capacity, learning, innovation and influence
• Academic Library Futures in a Diversified University System