2011 Articles

Prospects for Systemic Change across Academic Libraries

Neal, James G.

"Charles J. Henry, in the January/February 2011 column for the E-Content
department, challenged readers to focus on a fundamental repositioning,
consolidation, and convergence and to steer away from isolation and
adhocracy in the future development of the academy and its critical
components. I will focus here on the academic library, and argue further
that primal innovation, a basic commitment to risk and experimentation,
and deconstruction—breaking down the current incoherence and rebuilding
according to new axioms—are the essential instruments. Understanding
and acting on the critical trends affecting academic library progress is
essential. After that, translating those influences into bold and systemic
change is imperative."