Hernon and Matthews present reflections on the future of academic and public libraries

CHICAGO — Academic and public libraries are much different today than they were even 15 years ago. With even bigger changes on the horizon, what lies in store? “Reflecting on the Future of Academic and Public Libraries,” published by ALA Editions, offers ideas to academic and public librarians about the future of library services. Editors Peter Hernon and Joseph R. Matthews invite a raft of contributors to step back and envision the type of future library that will generate excitement and enthusiasm among users and stakeholders. Anyone interested in the future of libraries, especially library managers, will be engaged and stimulated as the contributors:

• examine the current state of the library, summarizing existing literature on the topic to sketch in historical background;
• project into the future, using SWOT analysis, environmental scans and other techniques to posit how library infrastructure (such as staff, collections, technology and facilities) can adapt in the decades ahead;
• construct potential scenarios that library leaders can use to forge paths for their own institutions.

Hernon is a professor at Simmons College, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Boston, and the principal faculty member for the doctoral program Managerial Leadership in the Information Professions. He is the 2008 recipient of the ACRL’s Academic/Research Librarian of the Year award, is the coeditor of Library & Information Science Research and has taught, conducted workshops and delivered addresses internationally. He is the author or coauthor of 52 books, including “Assessing Service Quality: Satisfying the Expectations of Library Customers” and “Viewing Library Metrics from Different Perspectives.”



Matthews is a consultant specializing in strategic planning, assessment, evaluation of library services, customer service, use of performance measures and the balanced scorecard. He was an instructor at the San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science. He is author of numerous books, including “The Customer-Focused Library,” “The Evaluation and Measurement of Library Services,” “Strategic Planning and Management for Managers” and the coauthor (with Peter Hernon) of “Listening to the Customer.”

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