The Generation Gap: What Generation Gap? : Management, Technology, Training, and Evolving Skills

Contrary to divisive labels to describe generations, members of different age groups have much to teach each other: Younger workers bring fresh perspectives to old issues, while older workers' valuable organizational history help inform current contexts. All age groups in the workplace benefit in learning from each other's perspectives.

What Do Academic Library Deans Do?

A recent discussion apropos of nothing set me to a thought-experiment: what is it deans of library services (or, as it often the case when I’m introduced, deans of library sciences) do? If one were to write up a short list of some of the most important general attributes of an effective dean, what would they be?

Redefining the Academic Library Managing the Migration to Digital Information Services

Academic libraries are faced with a daunting series of challenges brought on by the digital revolution. In an era when millions of books, articles, images, and videos available instantaneously via the web, libraries across all institutional types are experiencing declining demand for their traditional services, built around the storage and dissemination of physical resources. At the same time, new demand for digital information services and collaborative learning spaces promise new areas of opportunity and engagement with patrons. A rapid and orderly transition to “the library of the future” requires difficult trade-offs, however, as no institution can afford to continue expanding both its commitment to comprehensive, local print collections as well as new investments in staff, technology, and renovations. This report illustrates how progressive academic libraries are evolving in response to these challenges, providing case studies and best practices in managing library space, staff, and resources.