Tony Goins

Rethinking Success at Mid-Career: A Call for Academic Librarians to Redefine What Matters” What does success really mean for academic librarians? In a profession where external markers like titles, publication counts, or committee leadership often dominate the narrative, it’s easy to lose sight of purpose, presence, and fulfillment. This new post draws from powerful insights by Arthur C. Brooks, Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, Paul Long, and recent academic research to explore how librarians can move beyond outdated models of success and: 🔹 Align goals with personal values 🔹 Redefine impact beyond metrics 🔹 Resist the “I’ll be happy when…” trap 🔹 Foster well-being and purpose in their work Whether you’re mid-career or early-career, this post invites you to reflect, reconnect, and reframe what a meaningful path in academic librarianship looks like. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eFjE_xnn 📢 We’d love to hear from you: 💬 What does success look like for you? 📚 How are you helping your library culture evolve? #AcademicLibraries #Leadership #MidCareerVoices #RedefiningSuccess #InclusiveLeadership #LibraryWellbeing #LibraryLife #AuthenticWork

20

1 Comment

"Rather than seeing emerging technologies as threatening libraries, McGeary sees them as an opportunity to reflect on libraries’ enduring role and ability to adapt alongside change." - Timothy McGeary. #libraries #highered https://lnkd.in/gwFqq45Z

8

I struggled with what to name this webinar. It is not quite a 101 and not a full manual. It is really about what to do when you are dropped into an archive that already exists. Where to start, how to understand what has been done before, and how to build a path forward even if the system you inherit is unclear. Even if you're not new to your archive, I hope this webinar can be a resource for all of us who get those emails asking where to start. We have all received that message from a colleague or a volunteer or a new hire who feels overwhelmed and just wants to do it right.

64

What do winning research proposals and librarians have in common? They’re inseparable. Librarians are the unsung heroes of research success. From finding lesser-known grants to providing expert advice on proposal writing, librarians are invaluable partners in the research ecosystem—helping researchers secure vital funding and turn ideas into reality. Discover inspiring stories—and share yours: http://spkl.io/6043AgmHd #LibrarianImpact #Library #Librarian

4

📈 The Urban Libraries Council’s new trends report is out, and it’s packed with clues about where library marketing needs to go next. I’ve done the digging for you. In this episode of The Library Marketing Show, I highlight the trends with the biggest marketing implications and show how libraries can use them right now to reach more people and stay relevant. Plus, I'm giving kudos to a library whose photo choice for a promotional post was spot on!

34

4 Comments

The Society of American Archivists has issued the following statement concerning the impacts of federal grant cuts to Tribal archives and archivists. The premature termination of grants not only cuts short innovative and essential technical projects—it fractures trust, silences voices, and halts progress toward accessible public archival systems. Many thanks to my Council colleague Selena Ortega-Chiolero for her advocacy and assistance with this statement. https://lnkd.in/gRDMgv9e

65

2 Comments

Newly published in 2025: A Library Worker's Guide to Saying No to White Supremacy Work Culture, written by Christina Fuller-Gregory and published by Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited. From the publisher: ''A call to action to dismantle the white supremacy work culture in libraries, and create an environment where EDI is not only talked about but realized. Are the standards of professionalism that your organization has set still serving you? Or might libraries and library workers challenge our long-held beliefs about what our work culture is or should be? A Library Worker's Guide to Saying No to White Supremacy Work Culture interrogates the historical foundations and present day consequences of a library work culture that is rooted in white supremacy. These white supremacy work culture habits show up in every aspect of library service, from programming, policy development, hiring practices, strategic planning, and even our ways of communicating and engaging. Even as libraries and library workers have been intentional in introducing and developing practices that center equity, diversity, and inclusion, the quiet intersectionality of white supremacy work culture coupled with our professional standards of librarianship have informed our internal work practices, shaping our perspectives and perceptions around what it means to be a 'good librarian.' '' #Libraries #WhiteSupremacy #DEI #EDI #BlackHistoryMonth

317

14 Comments

The 2026 Library Systems Report is now available: https://lnkd.in/gBwS8bzs Innovation under constraint: how libraries and vendors navigate austerity and AI disruption The report examines how libraries and vendors are navigating a period defined by austerity, workforce pressure, and accelerating disruption driven by AI. Key themes include:  • Innovation under constraint  • The evolving role of AI in discovery, workflows, and development  • Continued competition in patron-facing technologies  • The maturing but still active market for library services platforms  • Ongoing consolidation across the vendor landscape Despite challenging economic conditions, most vendors continue to invest in new and enhanced products, while libraries face increasing expectations to deliver impact with fewer resources.

200

4 Comments

I'm glad to see BIK taking a strong stance against accessibility overlays on websites. These overlays don't make websites more accessible. They end up offering a poorer user experience and makes debugging accessibility issues more challenging for developers as they unnecessarily add an additional layer of complexity. https://lnkd.in/eTBpNErY

15

New Year, New Opportunities for Libraries As 2026 begins to unfold, it’s the perfect time to rethink what digital transformation really means for academic libraries. It’s not about chasing the latest tech, it’s about connecting with users, empowering staff, and inspiring richer learning experiences. I’ve shared some thoughts on how transformation becomes cultural, not cosmetic, and how libraries can move beyond digitization into true impact. What’s one step your library is taking this year to embrace meaningful digital transformation?

42

1 Comment

Librarians need to be at the forefront of AI adoption strategies on campuses. Their deep knowledge of information literacy and pedagogy with traditional database systems translates beautifully to the new world of LLMs. Excited to partner with moara.io and many other AI companies to integrate LibKey to make sure that libraries stay at the center of the research experience no matter where content is discovered. moara.io is doing an excellent job listening to the needs of libraries and researchers in building their tool to ensure it has a significant impact on researcher workflow!

6

1 Comment

I am thrilled to share a CFP for Library Trends 75.3:  Evidence-based Practices for eLearning in Information Organizations. This issue will explore evidence-based practices that can inform the development, promotion, and assessment of effective online learning in libraries, archives, and information centers. Proposals are due April 3, 2026. The complete CFP, including information on how to submit a proposal, is available at https://lnkd.in/gcCXgNug

7

This new guide from the #GoOpen National Network supports state implementations to advance digital capacity -- despite current funding challenges. Read below for suggestions on how K-12 education leaders can encourage the use of open educational resources or #OER to support the implementation of the state Digital Equity Plans, maximizing the available portion of the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant's impact for students and communities. Investing in OER using funds that are available today is an investment for the future, by building universal access to durable, cost-free openly accessible materials regardless of changes in policy and program funding. https://lnkd.in/gkuCSay7

11

1 Comment

Every penny kept away from massive data focused scholarly publishers who continue working with ICE, among other groups dedicated to harming our communities, is a win.

12

The Association of Research Libraries and the Coalition for Networked Information have released the Futurescape Libraries AI Toolkit. It "provides a brief overview of scenario planning and futures studies and provides a series of activities to help assess a library’s readiness to build towards an uncertain future." #Libraries #AI

154

1 Comment

Public libraries continue to evolve — and strong operational leadership plays a critical role in that success. This interview offers valuable insight into the day-to-day responsibilities, strategic thinking, and community impact involved in library operations leadership. It’s a thoughtful look at how library professionals support staff, strengthen services, and ensure their institutions remain responsive to community needs. 🎥 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gfP3Ybnf For library leaders, aspiring administrators, and public service professionals, this conversation highlights the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and mission-driven work in today’s library environment. What operational strategies have made the biggest impact in your library?

3

"By staying vigilant and informed authors, peer reviewers, journal editors, and publishers can work together to help maintain the integrity of academic #publishing in the age of #AI." https://lnkd.in/emaqM-a2

17

1 Comment