{"id":5146,"date":"2023-08-30T14:26:25","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T14:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/?p=5146"},"modified":"2023-08-30T15:14:30","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T15:14:30","slug":"redefining-the-library-experience-global-insights-for-future-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/redefining-the-library-experience-global-insights-for-future-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Redefining the library experience: Global insights for future planning"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/nextbanner_redefining_experience_survey.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5154\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/nextbanner_redefining_experience_survey.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/nextbanner_redefining_experience_survey.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/nextbanner_redefining_experience_survey-300x96.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/nextbanner_redefining_experience_survey-1024x326.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/nextbanner_redefining_experience_survey-768x245.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Libraries are no stranger to change. As community expectations shift, so do our libraries. This adaptability was on full display during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But as that pressure has subsided, we\u2019re seeing widespread reflection around what libraries will look like in the future. Many library leaders are thinking about fundamental transformations, with the goal of creating a more impactful library experience for their users.<\/p>\n<p>During the past year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oclc.org\/en\/membership\/councils.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OCLC Global Council<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oclc.org\/research\/home.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OCLC Research<\/a> explored the idea of the changing library experience by focusing on topics such as community engagement, collaboration, and innovative programs that meet library users\u2019 evolving needs and expectations. Planning for this work was informed by efforts associated with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oclc.org\/research\/areas\/library-collaboration-research\/new-model-library.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Model Library: Pandemic Effects and Library Directions<\/a> research. And it was accomplished through online thought leadership webinars and a global survey that spanned all library sizes and types. What we learned is that libraries will continue to be necessary infrastructure for supporting local communities. And to deliver impact, there\u2019s increasing need for partnership and library staff support.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The \u201cRedefining the library experience\u201d global survey collected feedback from more than 1,600 respondents from 77 countries and territories. And while it garnered data across a wide variety of questions, a handful of findings stand out regarding changing library experiences. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Libraries will increasingly play the role of \u201cspace providers\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Demand for open access in academic libraries will intensify<\/li>\n<li>Resource sharing through consortia will increase<\/li>\n<li>Partnerships with nonprofit and government agencies will increase for public libraries<\/li>\n<li>Academic librarians expect increased partnerships with consortia and other libraries<\/li>\n<li>Library workers may see more flexible working options and access to mental health care<\/li>\n<li>Additional need for data analytics is expected<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oclc.org\/go\/en\/publications\/gc-survey-2023.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">resulting report<\/a> provides an overview of how these findings relate to what resources and services libraries offer, how libraries engage with their communities and partners, and the evolving needs of library workers.<\/p>\n<h2>Library space as a service<\/h2>\n<p>The idea of library \u201cspace as a service\u201d stood out in the findings. While not a surprise or a new trend, it feels significant when we think about the substantial shifts that will differentiate the library of the future. Not only did respondents and webinar participants indicate an even more diverse array of uses for their spaces, but they also mentioned an increased need for flexibility. In fact, 31 percent of survey respondents said they\u2019d like their library to be described as a \u201cflexible space\u201d 10 years from now.<\/p>\n<p>Respondents were also asked how spaces in their library designed for meetings or collaborative work might change. Nearly 60 percent of respondents anticipate an increase in this type of physical space in the next five to ten years. And while space will almost certainly expand across all library types, the survey indicated that academic libraries are more likely to expect an increase, with an emphasis on multi-use flexible space.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Several Global Council leaders discussed how their libraries are developing unique offerings during the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oclc.org\/en\/events\/2023\/redefining-library-experience-ideas-into-action.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Redefining the library experience: Putting ideas into action<\/a> webinar.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/trusted-source-of-information.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5150 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/trusted-source-of-information.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/trusted-source-of-information.jpg 728w, https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/trusted-source-of-information-300x232.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Experience of library workers<\/h2>\n<p>The report also highlights how the library experience explicitly includes both library users and library workers. Again, as the pandemic has settled, new awareness of library worker needs has come front and center. Looking forward, how technology will affect workflows and job duties is important but so is the need for flexible work options and mental health support. According to the survey, 44 percent of respondents expect flexible working options to increase during the next decade and 26 percent believe that access to mental health care will expand.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s tremendous value in bringing together global library insights to inform future practice. Time and time again, we learn that libraries share similar challenges regardless of library type, location, or size; and that by coming together, we can find solutions. So, as you think about the library experience in your future planning, consider this report carefully to compare your ideas with those of your peers from around the world.<\/p>\n<p>View the full <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oclc.org\/go\/en\/publications\/gc-survey-2023.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Redefining the library experience report<\/a>, including charts with detailed findings.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Global Council areas of focus concentrate efforts around a topic of interest to libraries around the world. This important work spans not only geographic regions, but all types of libraries, while providing opportunities for professionals at all levels of their careers to participate and add their voices and ideas to the conversation. To learn more about the Global Council area of focus work, including previous topic areas, please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oclc.org\/en\/membership\/area-of-focus.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">oc.lc\/gc-area-of-focus<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Libraries are no stranger to change. As community expectations shift, so do our libraries. This adaptability was on full display during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But as that pressure has subsided, we\u2019re seeing widespread reflection around what libraries will look like in the future. Many library leaders are thinking about fundamental transformations, with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[115,84,42],"tags":[147,125,74,46,20,90,151,9,69],"class_list":["post-5146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-community-engagement","category-leadership","category-membership","tag-change-management","tag-community-engagement","tag-customer-experience","tag-leadership","tag-learning","tag-librarianship","tag-organizational-culture","tag-research","tag-trends"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Redefining the library experience: Global insights for future planning<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Libraries are no stranger to change. As community expectations shift, so do our libraries.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/redefining-the-library-experience-global-insights-for-future-planning\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Redefining the library experience: Global insights for future planning | OCLC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Libraries are no stranger to change. As community expectations shift, so do our libraries.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/redefining-the-library-experience-global-insights-for-future-planning\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"OCLC Next\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-08-30T14:26:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-08-30T15:14:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/social_card_next_blog_redefining_experience_survey.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"628\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Christina Rodriques\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Redefining the library experience: Global insights for future planning | OCLC\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/social_card_next_blog_redefining_experience_survey.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Christina Rodriques\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/redefining-the-library-experience-global-insights-for-future-planning\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/redefining-the-library-experience-global-insights-for-future-planning\/\",\"name\":\"Redefining the library experience: Global insights for future planning\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/redefining-the-library-experience-global-insights-for-future-planning\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/redefining-the-library-experience-global-insights-for-future-planning\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/nextbanner_redefining_experience_survey.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-08-30T14:26:25+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-08-30T15:14:30+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/#\/schema\/person\/d2ff5e6c28eeb9e7b2a6dd45b59d90b7\"},\"description\":\"Libraries are no stranger to change. 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