From the growing acceptance for open access to more collaborative opportunities, the dynamics of academic publishing are truly changing in various ways. While we have previously explained how startups and open access publishers play vital roles in these changes, it is also crucial to understand the impact on academic libraries. With scholarly collaboration on the rise, the role of academic libraries becomes more essential than ever.
Partnering for Digital Education
Digital education is on the rise. With ebooks and online courses becoming increasingly common and necessary, academic libraries are now also accommodating the shift to digital. As a result, librarians are now emphasizing digital education in their long-term strategies. For 2015, it is widely expected that librarians will further accommodate digital services to their services by partnering with online education platforms.
Accomodating Open Access
Over the past couple of years, open access has gained further acceptance as an alternative model for publishing. Similarly, libraries have begun to adapt to this growing acceptance as well. Mandates from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation have led to calls on legislators to promote open access to public research outputs. Such mandates have led to the Omnibus Appropriations Bill and Fair Access to Technology Act, which further incentivize open access. Such mandates have led libraries to implement Coalition of Open Access Policy Institutions. As a result, changes in the industry have led to academic libraries play a major role in promoting open access.
Increasing Collaboration
Academic publishing is definitely becoming more data-oriented. However, it is also crucial to realize that data could not effectively be utilized for scholarly publishing without collaboration. The need for data analytics has led to a growing collaboration between academic institutions and data-providers, while advancing research in the process as well.
Student Success
Student success is increasingly becoming a pivotal concern for librarians. Accrediting bodies and educational institutions are placing far more importance on student outcomes. In addition, funding is also becoming increasingly allocated on student success. With partnerships and funding based on student outcomes, librarians in many states have increased collaborations to emphasize academic success.
Overall, emerging trends for academic libraries reflect the growing importance for collaboration. Whether it is for accommodating digital education or increasing student success, academic libraries are increasing partnerships with various players in the scholarly publishing industry. However, it remains to be seen if such collaboration will successfully adapt to the growing expectations for academic libraries.