Kristin Antelman
Associate Director for the Digital Library
North Carolina State University
Kenning Arlitsch
Associate Director for IT Services
University of Utah
Krisellen Maloney
Dean of Libraries
University of Texas at San Antonio
John T. Butler
Associate University Librarian for Information Technology
University of Minnesota
Research libraries are facing a future that brings fundamental shifts in the information environment, including the ubiquity of digital content, new modes of scholarly practice and product, and rapidly changing needs and expectations of users. Coinciding with these significant environmental changes will be the retirement of nearly half of the current research library workforce within the next decade. The situation presents an urgent opportunity, which should not go unheeded. Reflected in the current Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) agenda and emergent discussions among key leaders of research libraries is the need for focus on organizational and professional transformation, forging of new relationships within and beyond campuses, and positioning the profession to develop leadership that can respond effectively to the seen and unseen challenges ahead.
In support of these discussions, a baseline study was conducted to deepen the understanding of the opinions and expectations of the expected next generation of library leaders. In fall 2008, we surveyed more than 240 individuals nominated by Association of Research Libraries (ARL) colleagues as “future leaders” who are making strong contributions to the organization’s visioning and strategic planning, demonstrate innovative practices, and who are in the earlier stages of their careers. The study asked respondents to:
• Gauge how effectively libraries are meeting the needs of users and responding to the changing environment
• Strategize on what libraries ought to be doing more of, and doing less of
• Contrast perceptions of existing library organizational cultures with preferred organizational cultures
• Contrast observed management styles with preferred management styles
• Indicate if they feel their library’s organizational structures and processes are limiting their impact or effectiveness
• Look ahead to their own futures in libraries, including prospects for assuming leadership roles
This presentation includes a report on the study’s findings as well as responses to some of the questions raised by the study.