Chandos Publishing Technology, Change and the Academic Library: Case Studies, Trends and Reflections (Chandos Information Professional Series)

Product Description Massive technological change has been impacting universities and university libraries in recent years. Such change has manifested in technological developments impacting all areas of academic library activity, including systems, services, collections, the physical library environment, marketing, and support for university teaching, learning, research, and administration. Many books and papers have examined these changes from a technical perspective. However, there is little substantive reflection on what technological change means, and how best to get out in front of it, for the academic library.Technology, Change and the Academic Library systematically reflects on technological innovation, the successes, failures and lessons learned, the nature, process and culture of change, and key aspects including impacts on library staff and users, roles and responsibilities, and skills and capabilities. The book takes an international perspective on the massive change currently affecting academic libraries. The title gives an overview and literature review, considers technological innovation and change management, future technologies and future change, and provides information on further reading. Case studies describe the rationale, aims, and objectives for particular technological innovations, and consider methods, outcomes, and recommendations for the future. Finally, the book reflects back on how technological change can best be wrought in academic libraries. Review Considers the impact of technological innovation on academic libraries, includes practical case studies from around the world, and reflects on best practices for library leaders About the Author Jeremy Atkinson has wide-ranging experience and expertise in the leadership, management and development of academic library services. He had overall responsibility for the strategic and operational management of library and information services at the University of Glamorgan from 1991 to 2012. He previously held library posts at the University of Northumbria, Cardiff University and Manchester Metropolitan University. He has had a long standing and active involvement in a large number of UK strategic committees and groups, notably those of Jisc (continuous involvement from 1998 – 2012), SCONUL (including three years as a trustee and member of SCONUL Executive Board) and WHELF (Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum). For WHELF he was Chair of the WHELF Development Group and responsible for the HELP (Higher Education Libraries in Partnership) project, which defined the future direction of Welsh academic library collaboration, and for the development of the WHEEL (Welsh Higher Education Electronic Library) initiative, covering e-journal and e-book procurement for the Welsh HE sector.