The evolving role of libraries in shaping academic excellence
Libraries have always been at the center of academic life, but their roles are expanding well beyond the boundaries of traditional resource management, committing to the wider academic mission. Libraries are aligning more closely with university goals and fostering new kinds of connections with students and faculty. Their visibility and integration in the larger institutional ecosystem marks is an exciting shift for these indispensable academic partners.
Nowhere is this focus more evident than at The New School, where Allen Jones, Senior Director for Digital Library and Technical Services, champions a broader perspective: “Libraries should not just be viewed as content houses or collections — they are critical infrastructure for teaching, learning, and research.”
Jones’ philosophy of library integration and innovation is explored in a new whitepaper from Ex Libris. Embedding the Library in the University’s Core Business is an inspiring journey into the technology-enabled possibilities for libraries, as experienced and envisioned by Jones and his team at The New School.
Embedding the library in the university ecosystem
The modern view of the academic library leverages robust technologies to not only manage their operations but to extend their influence. Integrated platforms now allow libraries to collaborate across departments, streamlining workflows and eliminating silos that once limited their impact. These advancements enable improved resource sharing, workflow automation and stronger decision-making frameworks that align directly with institutional goals.
The whitepaper examples including the integration of library services with course management systems. Libraries can now provide faculty and students with streamlined access to learning materials, deliver insights through data analytics and even refine acquisition strategies by analyzing curriculum trends. This adaptability enhances educational outcomes and positions the library as a key academic enabler.
“When you have something like Leganto that’s focusing on the business of teaching, you get to that place where the core business of the institution and the library meet.”
Allen Jones, Senior Director, Digital Library and Technical Services, The New School
Meeting today’s challenges with innovation
One of the most profound shifts in the academic library landscape is the integration of innovative tools and practices, from AI-powered metadata solutions to tailored workflows that improve efficiency. These tools are not just about modernization; they are mechanisms that enable libraries to respond to the complex and rapidly changing needs of higher education.
Through technologies that anticipate resource demand, streamline operations and enhance metadata quality, libraries can better support teaching and learning objectives. Imagine connecting reading lists directly to course catalogs or automating alerts on relevant research materials. The opportunities for libraries to contribute meaningfully to the academic mission have never been greater.
Jones emphasizes this point when reflecting on where libraries fit in the broader academic picture. “Where I’m headed and what I’m thinking about in terms of integrations is just an evolution in thinking of where the libraries fit within the higher-ed institution. Period. Not some place separate, but integrated,” he explains. This approach transforms libraries from being merely a peripheral service to an indispensable partner in the university ecosystem.
A library’s journey to institutional impact
The role of the library is changing, and staying ahead requires institutions to think strategically. Whether it’s about embedding your library in the educational ecosystem, utilizing innovative tools, or aligning with institutional goals, today’s academic libraries are poised to lead innovation on campus.
To explore how these changes can enable your library to become a strategic asset, download the whitepaper, Embedding the Library in the University’s Core Business. Learn how integration and innovation are shaping the libraries of the future and discover actionable strategies to transform your institution’s library into a catalyst for academic success.
If you’re looking to expand your library’s role within your institution, this report is packed with actionable insights to help you get started. This is not a theoretical vision— it is a practical, tested approach already delivering results.
