The Future of Academic Libraries: Possible responses to Global Trends
Abstract: The realm of scientific research and scholarly communications is in the midst of dramatic change as the slow adoption of open access publishing has recently seen a dramatic surge. The governments, foundations, and other organizations funding scientific research increasingly require publication of results through open access. In a complementary trend, underlying data sets must likewise be made available through open channels to other researchers to validate findings and to facilitate follow-on studies.
These trends bring important implications to academic libraries. The processes of acquiring content for their institutions has become well established in a business environment based on subscriptions. Libraries allocate substantial portions of their collections budgets to support subscription fees paid to publishers and aggregators. This business model places a significant burden on libraries but minimizes costs for researchers to publish findings. The open access economy reverses tables, where libraries eventually may save on subscription costs, with researchers bearing costs for article processing fees. Increased costs for publishing scientific research in open access venues may pose global inequities, especially with fees set at levels that exceed budget capacities in the Global South.
From a technology perspective, the accelerated movement toward open access publishing requires new capabilities in resource management systems. Many libraries already struggle to implement automated electronic resource management systems that address content packages and journal portfolios based on annual subscription fees. New models of open access content add another layer of complexity, with the need to track article processing charges or negotiated campus licenses associated with transformative agreements. The process of tracking the costs of scholarly content to the institution and providing access to students and researchers has never been more complex.
Management of print resources remains a critical concern. Although electronic resources crowd budgets, libraries continue to acquire and circulate print resources. Libraries not only need to manage their local collections, but are increasingly reliant on resource sharing arrangements to provide access to materials not available locally.
This presentation will provide an overview of the trends that prevail in academic libraries regarding digital and print collections and in the related technology products and services. Attention will be given to current and future-looking global trends and on the implications for academic libraries in India.
https://librarytechnology.org/document/29738/the-future-of-academic-libraries-possible-responses-to-global-trends
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