LIBRARY 2035

 by April King

Hirsh, S. (Ed.). (2024). Library 2035: Imagining the next generation of libraries. Rowman & Littlefield.

Available at Amazon in paperback for $24.77 - or, borrow it from your local library! 

Library 2035 is a compilation of 25 essays written by leaders in the LIS field regarding the future of libraries and how libraries will meet the needs of their communities. Interestingly, the editor (Sandra Hirsh) and 3 of the contributors (Anthony Chow, Loida Garcia-Febo*, and Patty Wong*) are faculty at San Jose State University. 

The essays are organized into six categories:

PART I: LANDSCAPE: Environmental factors that impact the 2035 library

PART II: COMMUNITY: Innovation, customization, and adaptability to meet the demands of an ever changing community

PART III: EQUITY AND INCLUSION: "focuses on how important it is for libraries to address diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), and social justice to ensure that all people have equitable access to resources and information." (Hirsh, p. 69). 

PART IV: ORGANIZATIONS: The importance of partnerships and the library's role in innovation, advocacy and change across all library types

PART V: LIBRARY WORKERS: A focus on how libraries should invest in and take care of their workers in order to retain quality library workers and agents of change

PART VI: VISION: Strategies for leading libraries into the future and beyond

I stumbled upon this book while looking for material for the extra reading requirement for INFO 266. I have included several of the articles in my additional reading log. It is a very interesting compilation of what libraries in 10 years may look like by those who have been in library leadership long enough to recognize how rapid change is occurring today. It is a great book for anyone currently working in the field or considering entering information services and an excellent source for current library leadership. 

I was delighted to find a copy available  through my library's consortium and I had it in my hands three days after placing a hold on it. I recommend reading it.

 

Actual Goodreads rating, but I would give it at least 4 stars.

*former ALA president