Rhodes University Library Report for the period 2015-2016 : maintaining the scholarly heartbeat in a time of disruption

Abstract

Disruption has been one of the key drivers for the reshaping of academic libraries over the years. New technologies; high cost of information resources and dwindling budgets; changing user profiles, learning styles and needs; demand for alignment to institutional imperatives and a demonstration of value to the academic project; new roles and new competencies for staff are identified as key disruptors for academic libraries. By adopting strategic thinking and strategic planning, academic libraries embrace disruption easily and become more adept to change. The Rhodes University Library (RUL) is guided by a Strategic Plan (2013-2015) which was adopted in 2012. This Plan takes into cognisance the trends and developments impacting academic libraries with specific reference to the librarian’s role in research, undergraduate student success, information literacy, new roles and competencies for librarians, and the library as place within the academic context. Therefore, the challenges presented by load-shedding and the #RUReferencelist, #Rapeculture and #Feesmustfall protests during 2015 and 2016 were seen as opportunities to review processes, reconsider and adapt practices and services through a participatory process of discussions and engagements. The RUL’ culture of learning and exposure to best practices and innovative thinking has been carefully nurtured to empower staff for optimal personal, institutional and user benefit. This report therefore highlights through its various strategies how the RUL has shaped itself within the context of national and local disruptions and added value to the teaching, learning and research endeavours of the University during 2015 and 2016