Don,
Most discussion on this topic proceeds from a tacit decision to salvage the core identity of the university library. Before the internet, libraries were the university's repository of all knowledge—the primary bank for the academy’s currency. This is no longer the case, nor will it likely ever be so again. Still we tend to assume libraries are going to remain in the knowledge business full time. When that assumption is challenged, its usually in attempts to replace libraries, not to transform them (eg, turn them into study halls). But there is a third option.
I think university libraries have an opportunity to thrive if they embrace an adjacent identity and use it as a strategy for transformation. You asked for help; here’s how I might go about this.
First, I’d work to surface multiple variations of a core identity that resonated with librarians and other stakeholders. Then for each promising variation, I’d work with collaborators to envision what it would look like to build a library upon this identity—what products/services, structure, institutionalization, staffing, programs and offerings, etc.
…
the library is _____.
Academia’s primary repository of knowledge. — This was true yesterday, but gone today. Give it up, and then see whats left. A deft facilitator and a bright group of stakeholders could come up with a lot of ideas. Here’s a few that come to me:
The nexus of all disciplines. — Forget interdisciplinary; the library is pandisciplinary. This was originally only due to it’s status as academia’s repository, but what if we take it as the core and build up around it for today (and the future)? Would it be the academic home to interdisciplinary faculty and programs? Could it be a context to integrate student learning?
Essential to all scholarship. — Back in the day, you couldn’t get anything done in academia without the library. This was true because it was essentially the only knowledge bank, but even though that’s gone, libraries could still chose to embrace the position they once enjoyed as who they are. This isn’t just a aspiration, it would be a driving strategy. What would services and products and spaces look like if a library was the university’s primary context for scholarly work and academic achievement? Maybe they would have extensive tutoring services. Maybe they would get notes and assignments for students who missed a class. Maybe they would be strategic allies, resources, and partners involved in all program planning. If faculty wanted to create a minor, or get help with instructional design, or whatever, the library would be their first stop. If students wanted to study abroad, or get career advice, or whatever, the library would provide or facilitate it. Librarians would have to essentially be user experience designers, which you might know something about, Don.
The physical context for knowledge and creativity. — I was thinking about it a while back like this. For knowledge work, the physical context of the library used to be essential. But knowledge is portable, and someone digitized all of it a while back. Now it’s not irrelevant, just much less important for knowledge work. But if libraries were a context for both knowledge and creativity, things could be different. Creative work does and likely always require significant and specific physical spaces, resources, and contexts. And more and more curricula are integrating creative assignments and activities, even far outside the arts.
…
I’m not sure how I would actually go about trying to model different options—let alone communicate them. But I’m happy to talk more offline if you want some help, Don.
-a
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