What is important? it is all about the connections we create.

1. The Future of Libraries
in Higher Education:
What is important?
Marla K. Roberson
June 19, 2012

2. My vision of libraries in higher education embraces the concept of
“connections”.
o We need to connect through our physical and cloud spaces
 Are they comfortable?
 Are they secure?
 Do they invite collaboration?
o We need to connect with the current technology
 How do we support the newest “thing”?
 Are we seen as a hub of social networking and learning?
o We need to connect with our fiscal responsibilities by using
our budgets wisely
 Buying reliable resources.
o We need to connect with OUR human resources.
 Support staff development
o We need to connect with our college.
 Does the library mission line up with the college mission?

3. Comfort and functionality for those entering our
space.
WE NEED TO CONNECT THROUGH OUR
PHYSICAL AND CLOUD SPACES.

4. Our home is your home: The changing
environment of libraries.
Security
Entice patrons into a comfortable physical space .
Comfort zone for all that enter.
The students should not feel intimidated by a formal
setting.
Collaboration occurs!
CONNECTION HAPPENS

5. We have to have the gadgets.
WE NEED TO CONNECT WITH THE
CURRENT TECHNOLOGY.

6. What helps with research?
Become a knowledge navigator.
“Mobile is the
Tablets? E-book readers? Cell phones? Needle that
Audiobooks? Apps? Geolocation? QRC weaves
codes? Smartphones? information
The library needs to be the throughout our
search engine. world; Social
Networks are the
Mobile devices are changing the way information is thread.”
delivered and accessed Pew/Internet
quote
Book format used by readers is
shifting from the print to e-
book.
Library 3.0---real time, easily
Libraries need to adapt to
accessed, easily shared and synched
the generation of users.
information
CONNECTION HAPPENS

7. We need to be accountable and responsible with
what we deliver and supply.
WE NEED TO CONNECT WITH OUR
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES BY USING
OUR BUDGETS WISELY.

8. Assess our services to make sure we are
keeping up with the student’s skills and
learning styles.
Higher education institutions are entering a
period of flux, and potentially even turmoil.
Academic libraries must
Trends to watch for are the rise of online
prove the value they
instruction and degree
provide to the
programs, globalization, and an increase
academic enterprise.
skepticism of the “return on investment in a
college degree. Shifts in the higher
education surround will have an impact
on libraries in terms of expectations for
development of collections, delivery of
Reliable educational support. collections and services for both old
and new audiences, and in terms of how
libraries continue to demonstrate value
to parent institutions
Be fiscally responsible.
CONNECTION HAPPENS

9. We need to remember that we are all human and our
interactions need to be respectful.
WE NEED TO CONNECT WITH OUR
HUMAN RESOURCES.

10. Academic libraries must develop the staff
needed to meet new challenges through
creative approaches to hiring new
personnel and deploying/retraining existing
staff.
What is our role as individuals and as a
collective library?
Professional development – is it supported not only by
those that should finance it but by those that can benefit
from it?
Transition is happening and the library (people and building) need to be
able to adapt to the new world. Professional and personal development
support an easier transition.
CONNECTION HAPPENS

11. Does the library and the college present
complimentary messages to learners?
WE NEED TO CONNECT WITH OUR
COLLEGE.

12. Brand the library to fit the college and its mission.
Is the library mission
known to the college?
What is the mission of the college or the
university? Does the library mission and vision
correlate?
Is the library mission
known to all that work in
the library?
CONNECTION HAPPENS

13. Vision = Connection
“The nature of the academic library has always been to
provide a platform for research, study, social activity and
discovery, “ he said. “I think, at its heart, the nature of the
library will never change, but the services that we provide
and the role that we play in a student’s or researcher’s life
will constantly shift.” Daryl Green, rare book librarian at
the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Quoted in
“Future U: Library 3.0 has more resources, greater
challenges. 6-15-2012.