Skip to main content

Unfortunately we don't fully support your browser. If you have the option to, please upgrade to a newer version or use Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Safari 14 or newer. If you are unable to, and need support, please send us your feedback.

Elsevier
Publish with us

Librarian of the Future

Early insights from a new global study exploring the changes shaping the future of academic libraries.

Woman with glasses standing next to window

Inside the Librarian of the Future survey

Research is evolving in step with new technologies, creating opportunities alongside challenges that could threaten the scholarly record. At the same time, research support services were identified as the area of greatest expected expenditure within the next five years, according to a recent US library director surveyopens in new tab/window.

Drawing on insights from more than 1,000 academic librarians in 88 countries, this preview of Elsevier's upcoming Librarian of the Future report explores how librarians are adapting to meet these demands while demonstrating their strategic value and impact in a complex research environment.

Libraries are strategic partners within the research ecosystem, playing a crucial role in the quality and impact of research outcomes.

Librarian in China

Future-readiness gap among soft skills

Early findings suggest that navigating complex decisions, influencing stakeholders and advocating for the library are becoming more important. However, reported proficiency is not keeping pace with relative significance.

  • Resilience and ethical judgment are the most important soft skills for librarians, both today (88%) and in five years' time (92%)

  • Negotiation and influencing has the largest rise in importance, jumping 14% from today (69%) to five years' time (83%)

  • Yet only 53% of librarians feel proficient in negotiation and influencing

AI as a leadership opportunity

As institutions navigate AI, librarians see themselves as key stewards of responsible and effective AI use, with an important role in developing institutional AI governance. This presents an opportunity for increasingly visible strategic leadership at their institution.

  • 82% agree librarians should lead AI literacy initiatives

  • 67% of librarians use AI at least weekly in their role

  • Only 30% say their institution has an implemented AI governance policy

Untapped strategic asset

Researchers continue to turn to libraries for support and believe librarians have a positive impact. However, librarians feel they're underutilized and aren't seen as strategic partners.

  • 83% believe researchers seek support from the library

  • 62% believe there is recognition for the library's positive impact

  • Only 53% believe researchers (and faculty) see the library as a strategic partner

As institutional priorities continue to evolve, librarians will need excellent relationship building skills to remain actively involved in the research ecosystem.

Librarian in the United Kingdom

Rising to new research challenges

The research ecosystem will continue to be shaped by AI, open access, funding pressures and research integrity concerns. As these changes accelerate, librarians anticipate greater involvement in research support and decision-making, strengthening collaboration between the library and other departments.

  • 83% see AI as the major change driver

  • 81% rate AI misuse as a top risk to the scholarly record

  • 75% expect collaboration between the library and other departments to increase

Be the first to explore the full findings

These early insights are only part of the story. The full Librarian of the Future report will reveal additional findings, plus perspectives from researchers and academic leaders on librarian skills that meet emerging research challenges.

Sign up to receive the full report when it is released this autumn.

Survey respondents

The survey is comprised of 1,095 librarians in higher education institutions from 88 countries, weighted to reflect the global distribution of academic librarians.

  • 47% work at research-intensive universities; 23% at teaching-focused universities

  • 79% are at high or moderate research intensity institutions

  • 52% are at seniority level of Librarian/Faculty or above; 19% are University Librarian/Director