Library Technology for a User-Centered Future in Academic Libraries

Lee, Amy

Citation:

Evans, G., & Schonfeld, R. C. (2020, January 23). It’s not what libraries hold; it’s who libraries serve: Seeking a user-centered future for academic libraries. Ithaka S + R. https://doi.org/10.18665/sr.312608
 

Summary:

The OhioLINK consortium’s Transforming the Integrated Library Systems (ILS) working group engaged the nonprofit consulting agency Ithaka S + R to help with research and development of their vision for the ILS of the future- a library management system that is truly user-centered (instead of print-collections centered) and empowers academic libraries to align services with their academic institution’s strategic direction to “support student success, research excellence, and broad community engagement”. This report first covers the shortcomings of the ILS products prevalent in the market today, which were created for the management of largely print collections and have not been adequately updated to meet the shifts to management of larger, digital, shared, and distributed collections and system connections. The highlight of this report presents the OhioLINK working group’s detailed vision of an ILS system of the future that allows academic libraries to continue fulfilling their core business function (the management of print and library collections) while also being strategically updated in four key areas to serve their users and their academic communities optimally based on recent trends in academic research, learning, and teaching: user-focused systems, facilitated collections, institutional integration, and integrated business intelligence. 

Evaluation:

This report is helpful for systems librarians evaluating ILS products used for their academic library as well as for strategic planning for library systems, services, and management as we embrace the increasingly digital and user-focused library collection. It offers insights into the shortcomings of present ILS systems, trends in academic library collection management and e-resource usage, and potential solutions for creating an ILS product that offers enhancement of library services. This class has studied how libraries are updating collection and connection development strategies to remain relevant and useful in the Digital Age, and it was interesting to see that library systems/technological products used to manage these collections have not only failed to keep up with recent shifts to the increased usage of digital resources, but may actively inhibit libraries from realizing their full service potential. 

This study contained many interesting findings about current academic library user behaviors and needs, technological capabilities required by academic library staff to manage their print and digital collections, and the technological features that are missing and necessary in ILS products that could address these user and staff needs. One finding I found particularly interesting was that academic library users (primarily students and faculty of an academic institution) do not start their resource discovery and access journey at the library as a physical or virtual starting point, but are often funneled into an academic library’s ILS system from elsewhere like Google or Google Scholar searches. Given these findings, the study's recommendation for providing seamless access to library resources based on a user’s entitlements across a variety of groups, including public library, alma mater, current institution, and other institutional affiliations, is an ILS feature that would be especially beneficial for users that does not currently have a straightforward implementation. 

Performing these research and visioning exercises is a great way to assess the current performance of library technologies, evaluate library collection and service goals in both idealized (without having to worry about technical limitations) and realistic forms,  and actively identify next steps to ensure a library is making progress in both technology development and strategic planning that aligns with their overarching vision for collection and connection development.