Transitions & Transformations in Research Libraries Towards the Information Ecology Michael Ridley Chief Information Officer (CIO) & Chief Librarian University of Guelph McMaster University September 14, 2006

Information Ecology “When simple change becomes transformational change, the desire for continuity becomes a dysfunctional mirage.” The Mirage of Continuity (1999) Hawkins & Battin

Information Ecology Why the “Information Ecology?” An environmental metaphor that connotes: Organic and Deliberate Interdependent and Diverse Fragile and Strong Nurture rather than build.

Information Ecology Stewardship Democracy Service Rationalism Privacy Equity of Access Intellectual Freedom Literacy and Learning Our Enduring Values

Information Ecology Two Major Transformations to Environment a) Managed Digital Space b) Academic Town Square 1. From database/repository Towards the Information Ecology

Information Ecology Two Major Transformations to Information Finding People 2. From people finding information a) Ubiquitous Content & Access b) Personalized Tools Towards the Information Ecology

Information Ecology Paul Saffo Institute for the Future “The future belongs to neither the conduit or content players, but to those who control the filtering, searching and sense-making tools we will rely on to navigate through the expanses of cyberspace.” filtering, searching and sense-making tools

Information Ecology Library Organization Faculty & Students of the University Library Services Collections Staff

Information Ecology Library Organization

Information Ecology What Happened? Collections: digital, collective, ubiquitous, shared Services: collaborative, integrated, networked Staff: specialized, diverse, team-based, learners Faculty & Students: nomadic, cross institutional, global, expanded Massive interdependence

Information Ecology

Collaboration

Information Ecology Collaboration

Information Ecology Nurturing Collaborative Capacity Collaboration is a muscle. trust through shared vision & experience high tolerance for difference & ambiguity unrelenting focus on institutional mission managed self-interest practicing the art of the possible

Information Ecology “Culture eats strategy for lunch every day of the week.” Elson Floyd, President University of Missouri Reality Check

Small changes Big impacts

Information Ecology Street Cred … What about Guelph?

Information Ecology Innovation & Change Learning Commons Library as Publisher Librarians as Teaching Faculty TUG: Tri University Group of Libraries Canadian Research Knowledge Network, Scholarsportal & Alouette Canada

Information Ecology Two Major Transformations to Environment a) Managed Digital Space b) Academic Town Square 1. From database/repository Towards the Information Ecology to Information Finding People 2. From people finding information a) Ubiquitous Content & Access b) Personalized Tools

Information Ecology Your Moment of Zen... “To remain what it is, the library must change if it does not change, it will not remain what it is.” David Penniman University at Buffalo

Information Ecology The demise of the Titanic was brought about by the As we build the future of research libraries, are we thinking about airplanes or icebergs? In the final analysis the Titanic was not sunk by an iceberg. rise of commercial air travel. A Cautionary Tale...

Transitions & Transformations in Research Libraries Towards the Information Ecology Michael Ridley Chief Information Officer (CIO) & Chief Librarian University of Guelph McMaster University September 14, 2006