Virtual, Green and Sticky: What Does the Library of the Future Look Like?
The concept of what a library is, what a library should look like and the service a library should provide is changing. Transformation, future-proofing, innovation; these words are all banded about in the higher education sector, but what does that really look like for academic libraries? Well, according to SCONUL, most believe that academic libraries should be closely aligned to their parent institutions. We’re taking a look at where universities are heading, what they’re focusing on, and what it means for libraries.
Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is perhaps one of the most pressing issues facing both universities and academic libraries. Yes, the number of eBooks purchased per student now outweighs that of physical books, and yes, digital resources will inevitably become the key to improving student access and experience. But, that isn’t news to anybody. Switching from print to digital is just a starting point; digital transformation stretches much further.
Many universities in the UK now have digital strategies, outlining their approach to digital transformation over the next few years. Some, such as University of Leicester, will become “Digital by Default,” whilst University of Lincoln wants to “enhance digital confidence.” The fact that many libraries are actively adapting to facilitate a transition from print to eResources is a positive step to achieve these sorts of goals. In fact, aside from IT departments, libraries have the greatest level of embedded digital thinking. However, to really transform the student experience, libraries should look beyond their comfort zone. Take, for example, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR); we all saw the popularity of Pokemon Go! The latest AR phenomenon, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, will be released later this year and is expected to take more than $100 million within 30 days of launch. But for those who don’t know their AR from their VR, it’s easy to be left feeling like a muggle. In fact, SCONUL has identified AI as being one of the key areas for awareness and skills gaps within libraries. Perhaps, then, this skills gap is something which should be addressed within the academic library community given that a report from the Education Strategy Forum identified that expenditure on AI and AR/VR will increase by 47% and 45% respectively. After all, how can libraries be expected to deliver a service fit for the future without sufficient training and exposure to technologies which to most are simply alien? Note: when Harry Potter: Wizards Unite launches this summer, it’s the perfect opportunity for librarians across the country to spend hours hunting down Buckbeak and class it as CPD.
Although these futuristic technologies provide all sorts of fun and games, they can also provide transformative learning experiences. For libraries specifically, John Beaver, Director of IT services at Bath Spa University, suggests that AI could be used to “…find books of interest in the library relevant to what a student is doing.” On the other side of the city, AR has been used at the University of Bath to bring the Victorian printing press to life. A few years ago, AI, AR and VR could have been passed off as nothing more than a gimmick, but the real-world applications are becoming ever more apparent and academic libraries should embrace this change rather than shy from it. Big changes don’t come easy, though, especially in environments where printed physical materials are still the norm. So if universities really wish to become ‘Digital by Default’, baby steps are necessary and making the switch from print to eResources is a pretty good first step to take.
‘Sticky’ Spaces
By now we’ve all heard of the ‘Smart Campus’; a campus with data touchpoints at every corner. But are you familiar with the term ‘Sticky Campus’? The idea behind a sticky campus is to create an environment where students want to spend time outside of their scheduled study hours. Libraries are synonymous with studying; we’ve all heard the horror stories of undergrads holed up in the library until the early hours on deadline day, crying into the pages of Economics 101. So how can libraries lose their reputation for being silent towers of stress, and evolve into relaxed, enjoyable spaces where students can study and chill out?
Perhaps contrary to popular opinion, usage of university libraries has remained steady, although physical book loans have decreased in favour of access to eResources. So students still see value in having a library space, but perhaps their usage has become less about the books and more about the experience. If students are accessing their learning materials online, then the library must offer something extra to keep them coming back.
A growing trend seems to be removing fixed workspaces with wired in desktop computers in favour of study spaces where students can bring their own device. The so-called ‘coffee-shop-culture’ has changed students’ expectations of how they want to work. According to Alterline:
“With the increase in coffee shop culture, the way we study and work has changed. Students can sit in Costa on a Sunday afternoon with skinny lattes, access to free wi-fi and toilets metres away. Yet university libraries are still wrangling with long-standing rules such as food and drink being consumed only in designated areas.”
Coffee shop culture means that some students are used to working in a more relaxed, collaborative environment whereas some might still prefer to study in silence at a desk. Ultimately, if libraries want to be ‘sticky’ they need to offer flexibility so every student can work in a way that is productive for them, whether it’s creative spaces for group work projects, relaxed study areas or even sleep-pods to break up a busy day. This flexible working culture also offers up other questions — should students be physically tied to the library in order to work? Students want, and should have, the ability to work whenever, wherever, with unrestricted access to the materials they need for successful study. The bottom line is that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ option anymore, and if students can’t find the space or the service that suits them, then they’ll probably go to Starbucks instead.
Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is another key priority for universities. Universities in the UK have a legally binding target to reduce carbon emissions by 43% by 2020, but research suggests only a quarter are on target. 30 universities have, however, been awarded ‘First Class Status’ by People & Planet, the UK’s largest student network campaigning for social and environmental justice, with Manchester Metropolitan University sitting top of the current league tables. Some universities are already taking big steps towards carbon reduction, with London Metropolitan University having already made reductions of over 57%. Other notable examples include Nottingham Trent University, who in 2015 opened a new carbon-negative building, which produces more energy than it consumes. Not all institutions are having quite the same successes, however, with Times Higher also reporting that Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance increased carbon emissions by over 100% between 2005 and 2016.
So what steps can libraries take to help universities stay on track with their carbon emissions targets?
Whilst carbon-negative buildings are certainly something to be admired, these are big projects which can be costly in terms of time and money and are simply not feasible for some. For libraries, reducing the purchasing of printed books can be a big starting point. Libraries house lots of books, and lots of books means lots of trees. Lots of books also means lots of carbon emissions, whether it’s from production, storage or transport. eBooks are a greener alternative. Whilst eBooks do require a digital device which will use energy for production and charging, the majority of students already own at least one of these devices meaning no more energy is being used than if they were simply watching Netflix. Plus, given that 18–24 year-olds are more likely to be concerned about environmental impacts, many students may start actively opting for digital materials for more reasons than just the enhanced learning experience.
Away from books, reducing the number of fixed work spaces with hard-wired desktops can also have an impact. As well as supporting the flexible working conditions discussed previously, laptops can also consume up to 80% less power than desktop computers. Furthermore, offering students the flexibility to work from wherever they wish can also help reduce both carbon emissions from commuting and the use of on-campus resources. Other small steps towards being green could be using LED lighting where possible, removing plastic cutlery from library cafes, and using sustainably sourced paper and stationery.
Whatever your take on the future of libraries, the one thing everyone agrees on is that the future is changing. So what can we take from this? Our take is that libraries will be virtual, they should be green and could be sticky. So next time someone asks you “What’s virtual, green and sticky?” you know it’s not a bad joke, it’s actually the library of the future.
Originally published at www.kortext.com by Emma Prowse
