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This chapter provides an overview of the space reimagining that has occurred in a mid-size library that serves both the life and social sciences at a large research university. Projects are introduced that have transformed physical and virtual spaces from preprogrammed areas and services designed to serve librarian-defined needs to an open and flexible architecture that better incorporates and facilitates the projects, ideas, and interest-driven learning initiated by users. As we move from “library as place” to “library as platform” (Bennett, 2003; Weinberger, 2012), the library becomes a central location for users to connect with and learn from one another, create and remix, display and discuss their work, and capture and preserve community knowledge.

The authors examine various initiatives in the library to demonstrate the role of library space. Each initiative is framed as a case study to illustrate how librarians have responded to user needs and the impact that these changes have had on management in libraries.

The change in focus to “library as platform” requires flexible and flat library management, additional staff roles, and changing paradigms of library space and skills.

This chapter adds to the body of case studies examining what the library of the future could look like in practice as well as theory.

The purpose of this paper is to detail the experiences of creating a digital library service registry and to explore the need for a complete digital library technical platform.

The paper is an experiential commentary.

If digital libraries are looked upon not as individual systems, but as collections of services on top of a common platform then progress may be made to move beyond the limitations that current standards uphold.

This paper talks about digital libraries as platforms as opposed to individual services/systems. It should be of interest to digital library developers, librarians, and information scientists.

The purpose of this paper is to explore a new way for knowledge services of the digital library which can transform knowledge resources into real social value.

The “Internet of Knowledge” approach was proposed for the first time as an intentional means to organize “Too Big” and scattered knowledge resources into high-efficiency fuels for driving purposeful knowledge works.

It is a new methodology and insight proposed for building digital libraries which stresses on active and diligent services with linked and shared resources rather than resource ownership.

The proposed knowledge organization is based on domain-specific body of knowledge. The engagement of domain experts is the key success factor.

The whole design framework has been adopted in constructing the new Zhoushan Ocean Digital Library to support sustainable development of marine economy.

The proposed knowledge cloud services will be pave a knowledge superhighway to help millions Chinese professionals stepping toward the technology peak.

The purpose of this paper is to report on a new approach for researching public library programs through Facebook events. The term public library programs refers to publicly announced activities and events taking place within or in relation to a public library. In Denmark, programs are an important part of the practices of public libraries and have been growing in both number and variety within recent years.

The data for the study presented in this paper consists of Facebook events announcing public library programs. In the study of this data, grounded theory is used as a research strategy and methods of web archiving are used for collecting both the textual and the visual content of the Facebook events.

The combination of Facebook events as data, grounded theory as a research strategy and web archiving as methods for data collection proves to be useful for researching the format and content of public library programs, which have already taken place.

Only a limited number of Facebook events are examined and the context is restricted to one country.

This paper presents a promising approach for researching public library programs through social media content and provides new insights into both methods and data as well as the phenomenon investigated. Thereby, this paper contributes to a conception of an under-developed researched area as well as a new approach for studying it.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the emergence of the mobile library FabLab FryskLab, a project of Bibliotheekservice Fryslân (BSF). There will be special attention on how the business case has been established.

The author examines the broader development of (mobile) FabLabs in libraries. Based on the description of sub-projects that together make the project FryskLab the approach of BSF is described.

The design of a mobile library lab speaks to many people’s imagination. However, achieving a sound business case requires a lot more than just driving around in a bus and providing practical workshops. Developing supporting projects is necessary.

At this time most publications on mobile library makerspaces are held in the realm of popular publications (blogs, magazines). Very little has been written on a wider range of case studies where mobile library makerspaces have been integrated into library services. This paper serves as an insight on how BSF developed the FryskLab project.

The purpose of this paper is to examine current public library apps in Scotland and assess Scottish public library users’ opinions of those apps.

Two qualitative and quantitative surveys were conducted. One survey was distributed to each Scottish local authority, the entities responsible for public libraries and Scotland. The second survey was made available to the public. The results were analysed with nonparametric statistics and content analysis.

All 32 authorities responded. In all, 17 authorities had an app, two had one in development, and 13 had none. Offering an alternative means of communication to patrons was the main reason for providing an app, while cost and low priority were the main reasons provided against app provision. Authorities were satisfied with the core services offered in their apps, but less so with others. No authorities had consulted the public regarding app provision. The public (n=185), while satisfied with current library apps, criticised the complex procedures required to access external services. Patrons from authorities without an app stated interest in apps.

It is vital for public libraries to implement at least core services that are optimised for mobile devices. They should consult with the public before and throughout the development process to ensure they are happy with the implementation.

This is the first known study to explore public library app use in Scotland as well as one of the first in public library app use worldwide.

Facets of digital data dissemination, namely RRI Digital repository and Imprints collection, are two methods in which science communication can happen in the digital world. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design, novelty and functionality of these facets as an archive, comprising a collage of profiles and publications of RRIians whose imprints on the sands of time have been culled and collated for posterity.

RRI Digital repository makes use of DSpace to preserve and showcase the research papers in text format, audio/video of lectures and images. Imprints collection is designed using Dreamweaver software. Images are uploaded using Jalbum.net software.

DSpace, an open source software meant for managing digital assets can be used as a platform to develop a modern genre of data dissemination. An example to this end is the Imprints collection, a bio‐bibliographic database with many valuable additions showcasing the digital scholarship of an institute with archival value.

Practical implications of both RRI digital repository and imprints collection is to act as support service to enhance the creativity and collaboration among scientists of the institute within and across different research institutes in the country and across the world. Further, ResearcherID embedded in the profile pages of scientists helps scientometricians in citation analysis.

Novelty associated with imprints collection in science communication using DSpace data is the strength of this tool. This is a unique style of digital data dissemination with supporting links between authors, their persona, their papers, lectures and photographs.

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise the issues of alignment for changing academic libraries by using and extending McKinsey’s 7S model.

Theoretical work was conducted to consider and extend the 7S model for the situation of academic libraries. Empirical data were then used to confirm the value of these extensions and suggest further changes. The data to support the analysis were drawn from 33 interviews with librarians, library and non-library academics and experts, and a survey of UK library staff.

In the academic library context, the 7S model can be usefully extended to include three library functions (stuff, space and services) and users. It can also include institutional influences and stakeholders, and aspects of the external environment or situation, including suppliers and allies. The revised model then provides a useful framework within which data about library change can be analysed. Perceived barriers to successful performance fit the model and enable the identification of seven challenges of alignment.

The resulting model has potential applications such as in the structuring analysis of academic library performance, mapping future directions of development and for exploring variations across the sector and internationally.

The revised model can be used by practitioners to think through their own strategic position and to act to shape their future, in the light of seven major areas of alignment.

The paper extends a well-known model used in strategy, to produce a more comprehensive, sector-specific analytic tool.

In recent years there has been growing discussion in the library community regarding the civic role of the public library. The discussion is rooted in a deep-seated professional commitment to the value of the public library as an institution of democratic society. As a recent president of the American Library Association, Nancy Kranich, wrote in 2001, “Libraries serve the most fundamental ideals of our society as uniquely democratic institutions. As far back as the nineteenth century, libraries were hailed as institutions that schooled citizens in the conduct of democratic life.” (p. vi).

This chapter examines the impact and influence of the visual and performing arts in sustaining thriving communities and highlights the essential role of libraries in providing access to arts and cultural programming and services. Creative and artistic intervention has become the imperative of our time. Creativity is required not only in design studios and workshops, but in all areas of work and life, both professional and personal. Places of artistic and cultural production are strongly correlated with strong local economies and sustainable communities. Libraries are public spaces that promote and maintain community, not only civic institutions. As such, the library plays a key role as incubator for the arts. Libraries advocate freedom: of ideas, communication, and information. Arts programming in libraries provides an avenue for people to communicate ideas and feelings through visual, auditory, or kinesthetic forms. But more than that, libraries are also about education, safe and welcoming spaces, community, and entertainment. Libraries support and promote the value of multiple perspectives and voices. Libraries can shape patronage of the arts and engage future generations by addressing social diversity and inciting inclusive participation in the arts. Many libraries are participating in the creation of new forms of understanding through arts programming, services, and resources. In an age where many of society’s most important challenges are related to our relationship with information, it is vitally important to include visual and performing arts professionals in the intersection between artistic practice and critical engagement with information.