Transforming Research Libraries for the Global Knowledge Society

Citation

Wolfe, J.A. (2012), "Transforming Research Libraries for the Global Knowledge Society", Collection Building, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 32-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604951211199173

Barbara Dewey is Dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications at Penn State. In this monograph she has utilized the knowledge, experience and expertise of 17 prominent library leaders; and it is through this real world lens that the editor introduces readers to issues that libraries face in the global knowledge‐based society.

The first section discusses reframing the twenty‐first century research library. The discourse promotes collaboration and transformation in order to meet the library community's needs. This is possible, according to the authors, by breaking out of traditional library practices and creating a relevant and timely library for future generations. Transformation is facilitated by creating a library in which emerging trends such as social networks and virtual laboratories are utilized to solve interdisciplinary problems. Leaders encourage transformation through incremental changes in products and services and provide the infrastructure that facilities individual excellence, interdependence, information sharing, integration, and integrity which are essential to success.

The second section focuses on achieving transformation in concert with the goals and priorities of the parent institution. The authors argue that aligning the direction of services and products to fit the expectations of the administration, along with measuring success and accountability, are components of strategic transformation. Accordingly, library leaders should focus on results, enhanced respect, stronger connections, innovation, and evaluation of services that draw the program into alignment with the institutional plan.

The third section deals with the importance of partnership and collaboration. This section highlights the “who, what and how” of making connections and the importance that technology plays in the library's role in scholarship and research. The driving forces in re‐envisioning physical and virtual space are the expectations of students in the digital age. The authors discuss the use of the learning commons model as a trendy solution to create space for partnering with patrons. The final section takes into consideration the issues in providing sustainable access and visibility. Access and access issues are considered through the lens of ethics, professional values, and the commitment to future generations.

The book includes references, list of figures and tables and a substantial index. The information in this work is of interest and benefit to academic and research libraries that are in involved with or considering digital scholarship projects.