Libraries of the Future flyer : JISC

Libraries of the Future flyer

In an information world in which Google apparently offers us everything, what place is there for the traditional, and even the digital, library? In a library environment which is increasingly moving to the delivery of online rather than print resources, what of the academic library’s traditional place at the heart of campus life?

What they’re saying…

	Libraries have never been more interesting, difficult and challenging! What is a library and what should it be in 2012, 2020 and beyond are questions that require thought and debate. I’m delighted that JISC is up for the task, and look forward to collaborating with them in this important debate. Dame Lynn Brindley British Library
I think it’s wonderful that JISC is launching Libraries of the Future because it’s so important for us as a community to be engaged in thinking really hard about what libraries of the future are going to look like and how they’re going to operate. John MacColl European Director (RLG), OCLC
	I hope this Libraries of the Future debate will not only be good for advocacy but will also provide an informed and joined up strategic framework for libraries to engage with for the next ten years. Anne Poulson Executive Director, Research Libraries UK
SCONUL welcomes the debate JISC has initiated and looks forward both to contributing to that debate and working with JISC in a range of areas of common interest in the coming months. Anne Bell Chair, SCONUL
	We badly need a conversation between ourselves on the way forward for libraries, and it’s both timely and welcome that JISC is starting its communications theme on this very issue. Andrew Green Librarian, National Library of Wales

Become part of the future – get involved…

In an information world in which Google apparently offers us everything, what place is there for the traditional, and even the digital, library? In a library environment which is increasingly moving to the delivery of online rather than print resources, what of the academic library’s traditional place at the heart of campus life?

What about the impact of repositories and open access on the delivery of library resources? And the need to digitise and make more widely accessible key scholarly resources? And what of the calls for libraries to play a central role in the promotion of ‘information literacy’?

Through ‘Libraries of the Future’, JISC is hoping to explore these and many other questions, to open up – with partner organisations and librarians themselves – a debate about the future of the academic and research library. The theme will encompass a variety of activities and communication vehicles – events, printed resources, interactive Web 2.0 services, podcast interviews, and so on – but encouraging debate and discussion will be at the heart of all of them.

‘Libraries of the Future’ is all about debate and involvement, and JISC invites you to take part – both online and in person – in events and debates, to read and respond to publications, podcasts, sponsored supplements, and much more. The following are a selection of the activities planned for the coming months:

e-books debate – April 14th ICC, Birmingham
JISC Annual Conference – sessions on e-Lib; Google Generation report; Challenges of the Digital Librarian – April 15th ICC, Birmingham
Guardian supplement, Libraries of the Future – April 22nd www.guardian.co.uk
JISC annual survey of senior librarians and learning resource managers, supported by SCONUL – August
CILIP Libraries of the Future supplement – October
Research Libraries of the Future panel session at RLUK conference – October

There’s much more coming up over the coming months. To keep updated and to get involved, please go to:

Libraries of the Future Blog

Libraries of the Future website