Striving for Inclusivity: Supporting Research and Teaching Within Local and Global Ecosystems

The role of the information professional in society and in the academic community is changing and a new model for the information professional is emerging. Library and information science (LIS) practice and research has transitioned from system-focused research to user-centered research. A review of twenty years of OCLC Research identifies a shift in focus from the optimization and quantitative analysis of library collections, systems, and services to the study of the needs and expectations of users of library collections, systems, and services.

Positioning libraries and information centers within local and global networks and ecosystems requires identifying and accommodating the diverse needs and expectations of users, who are embedded in communities in various ways. This new environment changes the focus from individual decision-making to collaborative decision-making, centering and emphasizing the importance of relationships and experiences, combining both theory and practice. Partnering with technology and information professionals and organizations to develop curricula will prepare individuals to thrive in these new roles in the global environment.