How We’re Thinking About the Future of Work

In the year since its launch, Katina’s Future of Work (FoW) section has established itself as a thoughtful voice in the global conversation about the future of academic and public libraries. We have published articles from a remarkable number of library leaders, covering a wide array of pressing topics.

John Chrastka has written about the legal frameworks that govern public libraries in the US. Sunshine Carter covered Clarivate’s erratic book selling strategy and the erosion of library trust. Jeffrey Serpico and Kelvin Watson explored how we can improve the success and retention of new library leaders. And Susan McClellan showed how a smaller library can innovate with AI. Other articles have looked at a new value proposition for libraries, emerging roles in libraries, how information schools can better prepare the future library workforce, scenario planning, targeted professional development for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) staff, and the borderlands of innovation. As these articles show, the Future of Work is broad, but it is also deep.

Since I assumed the role of interim senior editor in May (alongside my role as the magazine’s first editor in chief), the FoW editorial committee and I have explored how we might sharpen our editorial vision to meet the moment libraries are experiencing right now. We recently discussed the scope and direction of the section’s coverage that would have the most impact during the magazine’s second year of publication and beyond.

It was no surprise that the editors saw the importance of continuity and building on the section’s growing success. But we also identified some new areas that we believe will be critical in shaping the future of libraries. Going forward, we hope to spark wide discussion around:

1. Technology: Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be an urgent topic for libraries. But libraries are, of course, shaped by many other technologies and related services. We will cover the full breadth of relevant technologies, including technical integrations in libraries, the open-source movement, library systems and discovery tools, and digital asset management tools.
2. Space Planning and Design: Even in a digital age, the physical library matters. Library space shapes the experiences and perceptions of our visitors as well as those of our staff. The FoW will explore design and space trends in libraries as well as the projects, people, and ideas that determine the direction of library design.
3. Talent Development: The FoW will continue to examine the evolving skill sets required for library professionals. Our coverage will include articles on emerging library competencies and roles, educational pathways to librarianship, and how the next generation of librarians is reshaping library work.
4. Leadership and Organizational Change: This last category is intentionally broad because we know that many, many factors shape our libraries. The FoW will publish articles on leading change, strategic planning, futures thinking, succession planning, diversity and inclusion, advocacy, and budget management. We will surface library leadership and organizational stories that inform and inspire, including stories of success, but also stories about when things don’t go quite right.

We believe the section’s expanded scope will effectively serve the diverse interests of our readers. But we also recognize that emerging topics of importance may not slot neatly into this scope, and we will consider outlier topics as necessary.

I have worked in libraries for over 15 years. During this time, libraries have always been under pressure to innovate and evolve, to stay relevant. I find this energizing. But librarians often find themselves in reaction mode, since many of the drivers affecting our operations are outside our control (technology, politics, and climate, to name a few).

Still, time and time again, libraries meet the moment. We adapt our services. We reboot. We retool. There is a reason why libraries continue to serve—in cities and towns, universities and schools, all around the world—as a vital community and cultural resource. That reason is us: the academic and public librarians who are committed to service and the values that have informed librarianship for over a hundred years.

It is not an easy time in many of our communities. But we hope that with its expanded scope, the FoW will be a lively companion as you navigate the challenges and opportunities facing your own libraries, as well as those you encounter on your own professional journey.

If you’d like to contribute to FoW, you can submit a proposal here.