The chapters included in this book were developed from papers presented at "The Emerging Research Library: Our Role in the Digital Future" Conference sponsored by the University of Oklahoma Libraries. These chapters explore the emergence of a new form of academic library and the challenging issues we face as a profession because of the changing role of the academic library. Issues discussed include the changing profession, new publishing models, the reallocation of spaces, the preservation of past knowledge, changing user behaviours, and improving access to information. This book also provides possible suggestions for helping academic libraries transition into the future, including re-evaluation of professional expectations and abandoning past practices, enhancing the use of metadata, responding to user behaviours, long-term planning for preservation, the promotion of open access initiatives, and extending professional inclusion and collaboration. Each chapter engages the question of how academic libraries will adapt to the challenges arising from their new role as facilitators of research in the information age. Together these chapters present an impressive set of reflections on the changes that are necessary for emerging research libraries to flourish in an increasingly digital future, and this book is recommended reading for scholars and professional librarians.

1. Introduction Sul H. Lee 2. A Tribute to Duane Webster Sul H. Lee 3. Local to Global: The Emerging Research Library Lizabeth A. Wilson 4. Partners in Knowledge Creation: An Expanded Role for Research Libraries in the Digital Future Mary M. Case 5. Reinventing Our Work: New and Emerging Roles for Academic Librarians Lori A. Goetsch 6. Attitudes and Behaviors in the Field of Economics: Anomaly or Leading Indicator Kevin Guthrie and Ross Housewright 7. Unintended Consequences: A Friendly User Looks at User-Friendly Digitization Jack A. Siggins 8. From Advocacy to Implementation: The NIH Public Access Policy and Its Impact Heather Dalterio Joseph 9. Deconstructing the Library: Reconceptualizing Collections, Spaces and Services Sarah M. Pritchard 10. Out of the Gray Times: Leading Libraries into the Digital Future Deborah Jakubs