Deconstructing the library: Reconceptualizing collections, spaces and services

In the digital environment, we still have resources, staff, and facilities that combine in various ways to acquire and provide information. These recombinations challenge traditional definitions of library organization. Students and faculty now have many options for conducting their work, of which the traditional library is only one; the future of libraries-and librarians-will thus be in our ability to differentiate ourselves through unique and value added features. The library is not a single static entity, it is becoming a suite of services through which users locate, use, and (re)create research materials. By analyzing the intersection of factors such as subject, level of user, type of need, and proximity, we can develop a fine-tuned approach and customize services across the spectrum of physical, electronic, human, and material resources.