What the Edtech?! Series two, episode three: the future role of libraries in further and higher education
An in-depth look into how the role of libraries will develop in the future.

What will the library experience look like in 30 years time? Is there a role for paper books in the future? How will technologies like AI and machine learning factor into all of this?
In this two-part podcast we discuss all of these questions with library experts from higher and further education.
We were joined by Dr Jessica Gardner, university librarian and director of library services at University of Cambridge, Nick Woolley, director of library services at Sheffield Hallam University, Neil Grindley, head of resource discovery at Jisc and Karen Foster, head of learning centres at Yeovil College.
Part one
Download a transcript for part one of the future role of libraries in FE and HE (.docx).
Part two
Download a transcript for part two of the future role of libraries in FE and HE (.docx).
Show notes
- Jessica mentions the Royal Society’s report, Science as an open enterprise
- Nick mentions Neil Gaiman as well as Austrian philosopher Ivan Illich and his book “Tools for Conviviality”, published in 1973
- The quote at the end is from Eduardo Hughes Galeano, an Uruguayan poet
More about our guests
Dr Jessica Gardner
University librarian and director of library services, University of Cambridge.
@CamUniLibrarian
Read Jessica's LinkedIn profile
Nick Woolley
Director of library services, Sheffield Hallam University.
Neil Grindley
Head of resource discovery, Jisc.
Read Neil's staff profile
Read Neil's LinkedIn profile
Karen Foster
Head of learning centres, Yeovil College.