Communities of practice in the academic library: strategies for implementation

Abstract

vice techniques, programming, collection development, and hiring practices, among others, and are presented from the perspective of a variety of libraries including academic, community college, and public libraries, as well as archives. Chapters range from a specific group of librarians or library unit outlining the problem they experienced and how they addressed it to studies examining quantitative data collected via national survey. Rather than grouping chapters reflecting similar topics or library type, chapters are arranged in a mix. This arrangement allows the reader to frequently shift their focus as they read from cover to cover; it becomes problematic when the reader seeks to investigate a specific topic or perspective. Included chapters are relatively short, ranging from nine to 17 pages, with the majority sitting at 15 pages, and are written by knowledgeable, experienced librarians, university faculty, and scholars as evidenced in the “About the Editors and Contributors” section. An index is also included. Sustainable Online Library Services and Resources: Learning From the Pandemic echoes the significant amount of COVID-19 pandemic literature written by and for libraries but presents a unique viewpoint in examining and evaluating the changes made to determine if they are, or could be, worth sustaining long term. As the majority of chapters are academic library focused, academic librarians will find value in learning what services and resources, aimed at both patrons and staff, are likely to continue into the future. They will also appreciate the chapter “Other Duties (and Places) as Assigned: How Analog Approaches Are Impeding Progress in Online Librarianship,” which argues that the quickfix approach of “other duties as assigned” cannot sustainably support the permanent shift toward online learning and encourages the reevaluation of what is necessary to move forward strategically. Though the book as a whole suffers from an identity crisis—is it a book about online learning, as presented in the introduction, or one about library services and resources—and has chapters that are sometimes light on evaluation and sustainability recommendations for library services and resources, it will find a home in the academic library’s professional collection. After all, the editors are correct in saying “the future of libraries will depend on the ability of librarians, teachers, and designers to learn and grow from these transitions” (p. viii).