Library Speak

With Labour Day now over post-secondary institutions and their libraries are once again welcoming new and returning students on campus. Many of these libraries are discussing and planning services that match the current trends in the field.  What are these trends?  According to a June 2010 report of the Association of College & Research Libraries there are 10 top trends underway in academic libraries.  I’m listing the trends below exactly as they are written in the report, except that I’ve changed the order.  The report has them in alphabetical order, which is oh so librarian-like, don’t you think?

• The definition of the library space will change as physical space is repurposed and virtual space expands;
• Changes in higher education will require that librarians possess diverse skill sets;
• Increased collaboration will expand the role of the library within the institution and beyond;
• Libraries will continue to lead efforts to develop scholarly communication and intellectual property services;
• Technology will continue to change services and required skills;
• Explosive growth of mobile devices and applications will drive new services;
• Academic library collection growth is driven by patron demand and will include new resource types;
• Digitization of unique library collections will increase and require a larger share of resources;
• Demands for accountability and assessment will increase;
• Budget challenges will continue and libraries will evolve as a result.

I live in Metro Vancouver, so as I discuss trends and issues with colleagues and visit library buildings and websites I see what one would expect, namely that each institution is aware of these trends but is incorporating services that align with them at its own pace.  For example the development of a Learning Commons or Research Commons as a key set of resource for academic success is expanding in local post-secondary institutions, both in terms of physical spaces and virtual content.  This development involves a convergence of a number of the top 10 trends described by ACRL, including collaboration between libraries and other partners, technological shifts, repurposing of physical space, diverse skill sets amongst library staff and assessment of and accountability for the resources invested in these initiatives.