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2 - Networks, Higher Education and the Social Future of Libraries
- Tim Schlak, Sheila Corrall, Paul Bracke
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- Book:
- The Social Future of Academic Libraries
- Published by:
- Facet
- Published online:
- 11 February 2023
- Print publication:
- 22 December 2022, pp 35-58
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- Chapter
- Export citation
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Summary
Networks constitute the new social morphology of our societies, and the diffusion of networking logic substantially modifies the operation and outcomes in processes of production, experience, power, and culture.
(Castells 1996, p. 469)Introduction
Networks are everywhere. Interconnection defines many, if not most, aspects of life. Transport, economic and communication networks, for example, shape how we collectively engage with the world around us, and social networks structure how we interact with those around us. The connections, and the nature of the connections, in which we are all deeply enmeshed can be viewed as foundational to understanding social life. As Castells (1996, p. 469) wrote, networks are the primary social morphology of our time. Rainie and Wellman (2012, pp. 21–57) describe the emergence of networked individualism, facilitated by online technologies, as a revolution in how people relate to one another. Others have gone so far as to hypothesise that virtually every aspect of our lives is driven by our social networks, ranging from our health to our emotions to our political choices (Christakis & Fowler 2011).
Libraries are no stranger to networks, connecting both libraries and librarians and other library employees. For decades, libraries have engaged in organisational networks to enhance services to users. Library consortia and resource-sharing networks are key examples of how libraries have worked together to achieve efficiencies, better leverage collective resources and foster innovation. Librarians and other employees of academic libraries have also, of course, long been part of social networks with each other and with other members of their campus communities. As we consider the social future of academic libraries, however, it is important to consider the ways in which position within social networks may enable or constrain new roles at organisational and individual levels. The interlocking networks of academic librarians, with other librarians, faculty and other professionals, and of academic libraries, represent a complex social environment that can be challenging, if not impossible, to conceptualise without doing so in the relational framework of social networks.
Social network theory and social capital: a brief introduction
Before discussing the relationship between social network theory, social capital and the future of libraries, it is helpful to outline some basic conceptual underpinning of the theory. A natural place to start is by defining a social network and outlining some of its properties.
Conclusion: Into the Social Future
- Tim Schlak, Sheila Corrall, Paul Bracke
-
- Book:
- The Social Future of Academic Libraries
- Published by:
- Facet
- Published online:
- 11 February 2023
- Print publication:
- 22 December 2022, pp 299-306
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
-
Summary
Introduction
Since the 1990s, libraries have been grappling with significant and accelerating changes, resulting in new strategies for serving their communities. The relationship between library and community has always been central to the value and impact of libraries, but the nature of the relationship between library and user need has changed dramatically. As we consider the ways in which digital information technologies, changing practices within higher education and broader societal movements impact upon the roles of information in everyday life, we observe how academic libraries have been developing and evolving strategies for library work centred on deepening engagement with users, with other units at their institutions and with other libraries. This model of increasing engagement and even interdependence has many implications for future libraries.
While there has been frequent discussion of the ubiquitous nature of the library of the future, such discussion has often focused on instrumental understandings of this concept. For example, with the use of digital technologies, library collections and services will be available at the user’s point of need, regardless of spatial, temporal or other barriers to physical access. They may even be integrated into digital learning platforms or other online environments where library users work. While these aspects of future libraries are certainly important, these are not the only ways in which libraries are becoming ubiquitous or hold value for their users and communities. The social trajectory of academic libraries, as described by the contributions in this book, is one in which libraries are deeply embedded within the social networks of their user communities through which they co-construct services, resources and value with their users.
This emergent model of practice places the social assets of the library – its people, expertise and relationships – on equal footing with the information resources, spaces and services they provide. This is a significant shift for libraries, but the trends impacting on libraries are also impacting on society at large. Theoretical frameworks developed from the late 20th century to the present to describe and explain social and organisational changes, such as those covering social and intellectual capital and social networks, provide a conceptual framework for the future trajectory of academic libraries. As the arguments presented throughout this book demonstrate, the applicability of these frameworks is not strictly academic.
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