Abstract
Background/Aims: The past decade has been a time of tremendous social, economic, and institutional change for the research community. Transformations in libraries mirror these transitions as libraries embrace new technologies and adjust to the shifting priorities of parent institutions. In the process, research libraries are becoming more committed to the creation and dissemination of knowledge through collaborative development, interdisciplinary scholarly alliances, open access measures, and user participation, reflecting a reversal from traditional proprietary operations. Through this evolutionary path, research libraries are emerging as more effective agents for the diffusion of knowledge in the research community.
Methods: Within the changing environment of the 21st century, research libraries are seeking to understand the new ways in which clients search for and use information. Emerging web technologies and digital information resources have created an expanding base of users and have generated new service demands. Libraries are facing these challenges through more efficient resource sharing arrangements and by targeting and creating new user groups via digitalized content and electronic services.
Results: Significant change and innovation are occurring in research libraries of all sizes and characteristics. These transformations can be summarized as: the expansion of electronic resources and Web 2.0 technologies; a redefinition of collection development; the development of tools to enhance user access; reconfiguration of library space to support learning and research; an emphasis on instructional technology services and information literacy; and the assumption of leadership in scholarly communication and publication issues.
Conclusions: The extraordinary pace of the information technology evolution is likely to continue and accelerate, resulting in new opportunities for information dissemination. The research community will benefit from an awareness of and support for the library’s innovative efforts.
- Received September 11, 2008.
