Libraries of the Future

Outline scenarios

Three outline scenarios for Higher Education in the UK in 2050 have been developed as part of this project. The content of the scenarios has been developed by stakeholders who attended workshops in Spring 2010 - we would like to thank them for their valuable contributions. Stakeholders at the workshops included librarians, senior institutional managers, service providers, funders and government, and we had representation from the UK, Europe and America.

The three scenarios present three very different possible worlds for 2050 - they are not predictions of the future. You may not "like" all aspects of the scenarios; this does not matter, it is important to explore a range of possible futures. This will enable you to respond to, or create change to move towards your own vision of a preferred future.

The three scenarios, which have been approved by the Project Board, are:

• Wild West
• Beehive
• Walled Garden

You will notice that the scenario outlines do not mention "libraries" or information services. The outlines have been developed as a basis for discussing what "libraries" and information services might look like in these worlds. The scenarios will be fleshed out via a series of summer workshops with a range of experts in the sector.

Any feedback or your thoughts on information services in these worlds is welcomed (futurelibraries@curtiscartwright.co.uk).

Backcasting

This timeline for 1950-2010 was developed by stakeholders at the first Libraries of the Future workshop. The backcasting was used as a warm-up exercise to get stakeholders to reflect on how much change has occured over the last 60 years, in preparation for the degree of change that needed to be considered in the next 40 years. The resulting timeline is fascinating - take a look!