Shifting roles, shifting space

Libraries of the Future
September 24, 2009

In light of our discussion last week about similarities and differences between traditional physical libraries and digital libraries, I found “Libraries of the Future” from September 23, 2009 to be an interesting read. The article summarizes statements made by Daniel Greenstein, vice provost for academic planning and programs at the University of California System, to a group of academic librarians meeting to discuss sustainable scholarship. Steve Kolowich, the author of the article, states that Greenstein’s vision is one in which, “the university library of the future will be sparsely staffed, highly decentralized, and have a physical plant consisting of little more than special collections and study areas.” In effect, the digital repository would become the defining entity for library, while storage and maintenance of physical materials would be shared between institutions, and if possible, outsourced.

The primary motivation for this line of thinking seems to be economic, with budget shifts requiring university libraries to restructure and reallocate resources. Greenstein points to a decrease in individual libraries staff, collections, and services, but an increase in collaboration with other repositories. The goal would be for libraries to become drastically different over the next decade, which some librarians present at the talk, as well as those who posted comments, thought was an unreasonable amount of time for such a shift in the library world.

Most comments made seemed primarily concerned with the changing role of the librarian who, perhaps in the eyes of Greenstein, has just lost their job. I think the questions that arise are about what the roles of librarians might be in a system that outsources most of the services they performed. Might librarians move to other positions in which the take on the roles within the companies performing the tasks needed? Who remains a part of the small staff at the university library? Is it really cheaper to outsource cataloging, conservation, etc?

I am not sure if the answer to the recent economic problems is to dismantle the system and depend on outsourcing to provide services. I think the changes that will happen to the university library system will involve many shifts in the various roles and potential employment opportunities, of librarians. Still, I find the physical shift suggested unsettling. Where do all the books go? How does the space shift?