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From a presentation at Penn Libraries, October 2013. The challenge question: What are three tough choices academic research libraries face in support of teaching, research & learning, and how would you address them.
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Choices
Kim Eke
Challenge: What are the 3 toughest choices academic research libraries face in support of teaching, research, and learning, and how would you address them?
Context is important.
Universities are under enormous pressures from within and outside the academy to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.
These changes call into question the value of higher education.
Our graduates face an uncertain future.
This has led to calls for greater affordability, transparency, and accountability.
All of this is happening while we witness the “unbundling of education.”
Get your content, credentialing, testing, and textbooks from the vendor(s) of your choice.
Remix & recombine in ways that are more affordable & customized to learners.
Technology change is rapid, relentless, & unpredictable.
We are on a roller coaster of rising expectations while budgets have (at best) leveled off or declined.
Sometimes you just want it all to stop...
This is the context within which academic research libraries operate.
Forces tugging on the university, are exerting pressure upon libraries as well.
There is no safe space to hide. This is the “new normal.”
The predictions are dire. Pundits & prognosticators tell us most institutions will not survive.
?How do we survive in this time of rapid change?
(Especially when we have full time jobs already.)
When there is no sun,we can see the evening stars.
- Heraclitus
The fact that you may not see all aspects of your current situation, does not mean they don’t exist.
The sun represents the traditional, the familiar.
The stars represent less obvious aspects of our situation.
When we look up at the night sky, perhaps new stars (or new opportunities) come into view.
What are we not seeing in our current situation that may help us navigate this changing environment?
A word about the sun: It’s warm & should be appreciated. We need both sun and night skies.
FadLet’s return to our intrepid diver who is considering taking the plunge.
FadPerhaps she doubting she has what it takes. Or, she can’t swim. Or, the water is cold.
FadMaybe no one will notice if she just stands there for a while and then leaves...
FadProbably this whole swimming thing is a fad like MOOCs and digital humanities.
But what if it’s not?
What if...
Declining usage
Declining usage
Unsustainable costs
Declining usage
Unsustainable costs
Viable alternatives
Declining usage
Unsustainable costs
Viable alternatives
Demands for new services
Declining usage
Unsustainable costs
Viable alternatives
Demands for new services
What if all are indicators that we truly are in the midst of a major transition?
The good news is that Penn is ahead of the game. You’ve taken a holistic, longer term view than peers.
But it’s still going to be a challenge.
Tough choices
Technologies
1997 1999 2005
2008
2012
2010 2011
2013
1997 1999 2005
2008
2012
2010 2011
2013
How will you determine into which technologies to invest limited time & resources?
What services will you provide?
Services?
Library Services in the Digital Age
Pew Internet and American Life Project, Jan. 2013
80% Borrowing books is very important
80% Reference librarians are very important
77% Free access to computers/internet is very important
Library Services in the Digital Age
Pew Internet and American Life Project, Jan. 2013
69% Tech “petting zoos” - likely to use
62% Redbox-like kiosks - likely to use
62% GPS in buildings - likely to use
The scale of change confronting research libraries is unprecedented, and successfully responding will require disruptive thinking and novel solutions. -- Rick Luce, No Brief Candle
How will you balance traditional & new services?
Who will help you lead & manage the transition?
How do you think differently when you have years of experience thinking in a particular way?
It can be daunting.
Thought experimentLet’s do a thought experiment.
Thought experimentImagine that all of the conditions are perfect.
Thought experimentYou’ve decided upon a new service to roll-out.
Thought experimentThe team is on-board. The technology choice is made.
You decide to jump!
And you fail. Utterly & completely.
It’s ok. Come up for air. Learn from it.
Building the future is too important to fear a little failure.
How can we approach these challenges?
Values
Values
Agency
Values
Agency
Intention
Values
Agency
Intention
This is the point from which we can act to make tough choices.
Try & assess as you go• Focus pilots on learning & do assessments• Agile approach: quick, iterative, responsive • Collect & publish data• Stories of real people
Focus on learning
Try & assess as you go• Focus pilots on learning & do assessments• Agile approach: quick, iterative, responsive • Collect & publish data• Stories of real people
Dash-boards Videos Focus on learning
Make friends• Collaborate• Look up & cross institutional boundaries• Expand & leverage your network
Radical collabs
Make friends• Collaborate• Look up & cross institutional boundaries• Expand & leverage your network
MOOCResearch Streaming VIPs Radical collabs
Communicate
• Ask & listen• Publish your work & findings• Be open & transparent
Ask + listen
Communicate
• Ask & listen• Publish your work & findings• Be open & transparent
Blog Loginpage Ask + listen
If we can imagine it, we can create it.
Penn Photo credits
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universityofpennsylvania/6220148665/sizes/l/in/set-72157623638790070/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universityofpennsylvania/7197925732/in/set-72157629728357460
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universityofpennsylvania/8552895416/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/universityofpennsylvania/5600446733/in/set-72157630315948732
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