Responding to the Future

KEYNOTE SPEAKER Sponsored by Thomson Gale

Jennifer Peasley
Macquarie University Library

Macquarie University is currently undergoing a number of significant changes, including a review of the academic structure of the University, the establishment of a new medical school and planning for a new Library building. The challenge for Macquarie University Library is to focus on the future as well as the present – to anticipate the impact of these changes and the needs of current and future users in planning our service model, so that we can provide the services and support required.

One of the biggest challenges is planning for a new building which will not open until 2010: what environments will our users want to work in and how can we capitalise on technological developments to deliver quality services when, where and how our users need them? Working through the possibilities provides us with an opportunity to explore how we might structure and develop our workforce, ensure quality, and develop and trial new services and delivery methods, making use of Web 2.0 technologies. This paper will explore the potential requirements of our users, their physical and virtual environments and how the Library is planning to develop new approaches to service delivery to meet their needs.