Answer:
The purpose of this paper is to initiate discussion among a small group of university and college library directors being convened by the Digital Library Federation (DLF) and the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) to explore how and why libraries and library use are changing. This exploration is envisioned as the first step in a larger initiative that includes conducting research and presenting the research results to library directors, their provosts, presidents and faculty. The ultimate goal is to facilitate understanding of how and why libraries are changing and better position the library to meet the needs and expectations of university and college administrators and library users. This paper and the published results of the research proposed here will be of interest to all academic librarians because they address significant issues and concerns that confront libraries being held accountable for the learning and research outcomes and cost-effectiveness of their efforts.
Though librarians have always collected data to support strategic planning, the rampant changes precipitated by new technologies are making traditional performance measures less effective in demonstrating the library's contribution to higher education. The first section of this paper explains the problem in detail and describes what is at stake. The second section analyzes the intrinsic limitations of traditional measures and our understanding of the trends they reveal. The third section addresses some environmental factors that may help us understand why library use is changing. The paper concludes by proposing research designed to help fill the gaps in our understanding of changes in library use.
Explanation: Technology continues to evolve, and as it does it is becoming more and more integrated with society. Smart appliances and voice-controlled assistants are just two examples of how technology is evolving to make people’s lives easier. As technology changes the way we manage our lives, will it also affect the way libraries are managed?