Clarivate | Ex Libris

In an era of shrinking library budgets, innovative consortial relationships are proving essential for maintaining equitable access to resources. Library leaders share how ILS-agnostic consortial borrowing, strategic partnerships beyond traditional resource sharing, and communicating value to stakeholders can multiply a library's impact despite financial constraints.

Did you know that over 60%* of libraries are actively planning to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their services? A vital aspect of this change is understanding how AI can enhance library services. Advanced applications such as personalized recommendations for users or predictive models for space planning are already delivering impressive outcomes.

Ex Libris has introduced a redesigned user experience in Alma, focused on enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and usability. Developed in close collaboration with the library community, the update reflects a deep commitment to a user-centered design.

This comprehensive guide explores how leading libraries worldwide leverage technology to enhance student engagement, streamline operations, and support academic excellence in the library. These libraries, large and small, are prepped to handle and embrace innovations without losing sight of their core mission. Download the whitepaper

Putting off adoption of new technologies puts libraries at risk of falling behind in serving their users effectively. For libraries tackling new initiatives, the ability to manage change is crucial. We spoke with several library leaders to learn how they reduce organizational stress and navigate change at both the organizational and individual levels.

Resource sharing between libraries is nothing new, of course — but what is new is the ease with which potential resource-sharing partners can find each other. We spoke with three librarians who play leading roles in the Rapido/RapidILL resource-sharing community. 

Understanding how students use and reuse library resources and services is critical for academic libraries. Students make up the bulk of library end-users; they determine whether and how collections are used, how library spaces are used and whether services provide value.

Digital-native users want library resources in digital form. Vendors who furnish those resources are expecting the library to share content responsibly. Using a digital delivery platform, University of Tennessee Libraries are making both groups happy—and enjoying streamlined workflows as a bonus.

I'm sure every library has encountered this situation: a student comes in and says, “do you have this book? I need it for this course,” and that's the first time that the library ever hears about this resource being mandatory reading for a course.