Redefining the library experience: shaping future engagement with communities

Abstract

Whether on a university campus, at a local school, or in a metropolitan neighborhood, libraries are continually evolving how they engage with their users to make the most impact within their communities. This evolution recently has included a renewed emphasis on proactively shaping experiences around library spaces, programming, collections, and staff development.

Conducted in partnership between OCLC Global Council and OCLC Research and Market Analysis teams in 2023, focus group interviews were conducted and a survey was disseminated internationally in six languages. The focus group interviews and survey questions explored themes such as community engagement, collaboration, and innovative programs that meet library users’ continually evolving needs and expectations. The results of the focus group interviews, and survey provide insight into ways that library leaders and staff expect changing library experiences to create more meaningful engagement and positive impacts in the next five to ten years.