Posted on by Tom Sens
On a recent business trip to the University of Chicago, I took the opportunity while on campus to visit with Judith Nadler, Dean of University Libraries at UoC. We had a wonderful discussion about the evolving role of the library. Judi shared a fascinating diagram along with her thoughts on the degrees of change occurring within the library.
Posted on by Paul Orban
One could say the design of higher education environments is important, after all, they will be around for 50+ years. We’re currently master-planning the renovations for several academic libraries originally constructed in the 1960’s. Most haven’t been renovated since. New buildings on campuses will, for all intents and purposes, forever transform the experience of those that attend and support the academic institution. The opportunity is one that should be carefully studied and developed. It is one we take very seriously.
Posted on by Tom Sens
Many academic planners assumed that the coming of the Internet would lead to the decline of the library as we know it. To the contrary, many academic libraries have experienced significantly increased patron use in recent years.
One reason for this phenomenon is that today’s college students have heightened expectations and demands for academic libraries based on new approaches to learning. While the Internet can provide 24/7 access to information, it can also isolate learners. In contrast, the new academic library model provides a forum for students to collaborate, enjoy fellowship, engage in healthy debate, create and challenge ideas, and experience learning and discovery in a multitude of meaningful ways. The following 12 trends define how the library has evolved to maintain its essential position within the academic landscape.