11.3 Predicting the Function of Library Bookshelves in 2025

Many university libraries are questioning the function of bookshelves in the library space of the digital age. Research has shown that for a long time within libraries bookshelves had a crucial role, not only as a source of information, but also in creating an inspiring and stimulating atmosphere. Many still consider paper books as the core identity of libraries, especially within the Humanities. But times are changing. Understandably, current research is focusing on the digital revolution. In general, the conclusion is that digital publications will become predominant, certainly in the long run, and that we have to replace bookshelves by other facilities in our library space, in order to meet the needs of our users.

However, remarkably enough, despite these developments hardly anyone has tried to thoroughly answer the question what kind of function bookshelves might have within a future university library context. Utrecht University Library thinks answering this question is crucial, given the relevance bookshelves have always had in our library. Therefore, we set ourselves the bold goal of doing so, assuming that the academic world will become increasingly digitised, but also that user needs related to paper and digital publications can differ immensely among students and staff and also between disciplines. If any, what possible function does the bookshelf have in the university library space of, say, the year 2025?

In order to answer this challenging question, we carried out an extensive research project. On the one hand, we analysed our acquisition data for the last ten years, in order to find trends in the composition of our collections, which cover all scientific disciplines. And to predict how these trends will develop in the next ten years, we interviewed ten academic publishers, ranging from a small scale Humanities publisher to a big commercial Science publisher, on what determines whether a book title will become available as an e-book. On the other hand, we analysed trends in our user statistics, focusing on the various users of paper books. Moreover, to get a clear view on the current usage and function of our bookshelves, we did a large-scale survey of students and staff and discussed the outcomes of that survey with focus user groups.

We think the findings of our research are very important to those who, like us, are recreating the space in their libraries. This applies especially to those who would like to know what possible future function bookshelves could have in this space, and ensuring that they meet user needs for the next ten years. I will present how we see the future role of bookshelves in our library space, taking into account the huge differences between disciplines and the ongoing digitisation of academic publishing. I will explain how we came to our ideas and explain what implications they could have for other university libraries, who wish their space set for the year 2025.

Dr Coen Wilders leads a research project in Utrecht University Library on predicting the possible function of library bookshelves in the year 2025. He holds a PhD in early modern political history and is subject librarian within the Humanities. He has a special interest in collection development and collection management, both physical and digital. Recently, he has written about the responsibility of university libraries in relation to the discovery and delivery of scientific information.