Envisioning Future Academic Library Services

There are huge challenges facing the library and information science profession owing to the rapidly changing environment in which it exists. Librarians need to be 'blended professionals' who can take all their professional skills and experience, and adapt them to different business models, strategic challenges and communities of practice. Academic libraries serve colleges and universities, their students, staff and faculty. Because larger institutions may have several libraries on their campuses dedicated to serving particular schools such as law and science libraries, academic librarianship offers a great opportunity to utilise subject expertise. Professional status varies by institution, but many academic librarians have faculty status including tenure. Todays academic librarians are involved in a variety of challenging activities. This book offers persuasive concepts from several perspectives, with those of authors, publishers, academics, librarians and institutions, and students. This book is essential reading for all library managers and educators who desire to add real value to their organisation by thinking strategically and informing decision making at organisational level. It will also be of great value to academic administrators and government policy analysts involved with learning and teaching.