Digital transformation library lens: supporting digital practice in academic libraries

Jisc has been at the forefront of supporting digital transformation in UK higher education through our digital transformation framework and toolkit. This project will design library pathways into the framework so that libraries can use it to amplify and enhance their role and impact in digital transformation within their institution.

Why libraries?

Libraries play a pivotal role in the digital transformation of higher education institutions. They are often at the forefront of digital innovation, leading initiatives in digital content, open scholarship, and digital learning environments and infrastructure.

However, the contribution of libraries is not always fully recognised or understood within their institutions and libraries are not always given the opportunity of participating in cross-institutional digital transformation activities.

A digital transformation library lens on the framework can support libraries in:

• demonstrating and amplifying their role as knowledgeable and trusted partners in digital transformation highlighting the breadth of expertise that library teams cover
• addressing challenges such as escalating costs, resource allocation, skills development, and technologies
• enhancing their visibility and influence within their institutions, ensuring their contributions are recognised and valued and that librarians join institution-wide conversations around digital transformation
• highlighting libraries as partners in the academic enterprise, and how they play an essential role in teaching and learning, the research process, wider engagement, and cross-institutional systems and processes

Who will participate?

We have drawn together a working group with representatives of higher education library leaders, such as directors, assistant directors and senior managers. The group will contribute their expertise and insights and guide the development and shaping of the digital transformation library lens tool. We will also share and validate the outputs of this group with the broader digital transformation senior leaders community.

How will Jisc members benefit?

This new tool will provide all higher education libraries with more library-focused pathways into the framework. It will provide a community-based reference point to guide libraries in their journey through digital transformation and as an advocacy tool to amplify and enhance their existing role and impact in digital transformation within their institution.