In the past ten years, there have been major developments in technology that have transformed the way libraries operate. With the rise of e-publishing, libraries have had to adapt to remain functional and useful to students, researchers and staff.

We asked our Specialist Librarian panel how their role as librarian has changed in the past decade and how they anticipate the role to change in the next ten years.

E-resources

E-books, e-journals and online resources have grown in popularity as our technology has improved, e-resources enable people to conduct research or study anywhere in the world, rather than simply on campus or in the library. A librarian in a University in Russia commented, “My work is more and more related to e-resources, as students need textbooks that they can read on their iPhone. I am a librarian who helps users to find information in the digital world.”

Librarians have evolved from gatekeeper of a physical library to opening the gate to new virtual support and assistance for researchers and students. The rapid evolution of technology including citation software, e-book quality, interactive aspects to books, internet speed has left some librarians behind: “At the age of nearly 57 I personally realise that technologies are developing much quicker than before. Sometime I feel that I’m left behind but I’m thinking positively and open to new changes” (Librarian at a University in Indonesia).

Our reliance on digital resources has never been more prevalent than during the COVID-19 crisis as an institutional librarian in England commented: “I think the prioritisation of e-resources is going to massively take off as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In many ways, the real trend for the next decade might come as soon as the next few months as we start to see temporary access to online resources.”

“Ultimately the question I ask myself every day is ‘are we fit for purpose?’; the answer is not always yes!” – University Librarian, UK.

Predicting new trends

If the rate of progression continues, some librarians are certain that not only will they be prepared for the changes but they’ll also be able to predict them. A librarian at a University in Thailand commented: “I think we will be able to predict users needs to be able to provide the appropriate services for them before they ask for them. Keeping us one step ahead, as opposed to behind.”

Open Access

Another shift in the past ten years is publishing Open Access making more content freely available to a wider population online. A librarian based in the UK commented: “I would like to see Open Access publishing become a more streamlined and accessible process, and the abolishment of all article processing charges. The next decade will hopefully bring free and equitable access to information.”

“I think there will be greater coordination and collaboration with others to achieve the strategic goals of the University.” University Librarian, Australia.

Collaboration in the role 

In Australia, a librarian noted, “I have seen a much greater increase in participation and leadership on strategic issues such as Open Access and scholarly publishing. There has been a great opportunity to extend our engagement with our community.” The role of the librarian has become integral as the mediator between students, staff and researchers with publishers, making them central in decision making and directions of areas of research within the university.

One librarian at a University in India commented on the scope that this collaboration could have and the positive impact on higher-education; “Adopting these new applications to the technology will allow institutions to unite across international borders and work towards common goals. This means we could be seeing further collaboration across the globe, enabling libraries to provide improved access to scholarly material and resources. These innovations could also help libraries to more effectively preserve their collections online, thereby improving and redefining access for researchers.”

Looking ahead the approach we need to adopt is curiosity and adaptability as librarian at the University in Singapore noted, “The most wonderful thing about the future is that we can never tell what it will bring for us. The best thing we can do as librarians is to anticipate great change and be ready for it. Never, ever stop learning!”

Interested in joining our specialist librarian panel? Apply here today.