Over the past few months, I have been reflecting on the future of libraries in international schools. Insights from discussions with many international school librarians from the Middle East, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Korea, Japan, and India reveal how the librarians’ roles are changing slowly. Every library is unique in its roles and functions. Each institution’s leadership team, along with board members, shape the library’s vision. Many schools have restructured their libraries, renaming them as iCommons, Knowledge Hubs, Learning Commons, or Library Media Centers. This shift has also transformed the librarian’s role, aligning it closely with the school’s specific needs, making it a distinctive position. At the present time, librarians in International primary schools continue to serve students through stories, information literacy skills and the use of some LLM tools. In Secondary Schools, librarians support information and media literacy, research skills, ethical use of Gen-AI tools, co-teaching EAL, being an Extended Essay Coordinator (IB), being an advisor to students, supporting the CAS Program, and some are involved in the Career Pathways Program (IB), and some are Tech Coordinators. However, the landscape will continue to change & evolve; librarians once again will evolve to take on new roles and learn new skills.
Here is a brief description of my observations and research from the past year.
The Future of Libraries:
A shift toward digital resources, innovative services, and evolving roles characterizes the future of libraries. Libraries are transitioning from housing primarily physical books to offering more digital resources (Akeroyd, 2001). They continue to focus on providing access to information, digital literacy education, and personalized services (Norman, 2012; Pedersen, 2016). They are also expected to serve as communities, fostering collaboration and knowledge creation (Wałek, 2018). The library of the future continues to emphasize service, support, and knowledge management, but the kind of services librarians will offer will change. Support will vary, and knowledge management will include various large language models and data analysis.
The key question is: how will this transformation unfold?
1. Spaces for Co-Creation and Innovation
Libraries, increasingly envisioned as knowledge hubs or iCommons, will be vibrant spaces where individuals and communities co-create content. They will become centres for entrepreneurship and change-making. By leveraging advanced technologies, libraries are embracing community-oriented services, fostering creativity, and driving transformative learning. 
Example:
- The iCommons at Stanford University fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration, offering open spaces and cutting-edge technologies for ideation, creation, and knowledge-sharing (Stanford Libraries, 2023).
In these spaces, librarians will act as facilitators, supporting patrons with resources and expertise to turn their ideas into impactful projects.
2. Supporting Research and Digital Literacy
Libraries will continue to serve as gateways to credible information, providing access to research databases, journals, and academic tools. Librarians will play a critical role in educating users on digital literacy, emphasizing the ethical use of information, including AI-generated content. By equipping users with these skills, libraries empower them to produce credible, well-researched work.
Example:
- The British Library’s Business Centre supports entrepreneurs and researchers in building business plans and conducting market research (British Library, 2023).
3. The Role of Primary School Librarians
Primary school librarians will continue to play a vital role in fostering a love for stories and reading. Beyond this, focus on collection development will be crucial in helping students build and explore their identities—cultural identity, gender identity, social-emotional well-being, or critical thinking skills. These foundations will prepare young learners for a world dominated by technology.
For upper primary school students, the library will serve as a space to develop digital literacy skills. These students will begin to learn how to navigate the digital landscape ethically while exploring the key values of ethics, respect, open-mindedness, acceptance, and a growth mindset. Librarians will support them in developing these traits to empower them as responsible, thoughtful global citizens.
4. Integrating Technology for Innovation
Technology will transform libraries into innovation hubs, incorporating AI tools, data visualization software, and interactive storytelling platforms to promote problem-solving and creative thinking.
Example:
- The Idea Box at Oak Park Public Library offers an experimental space for users to explore new technologies and techniques for creative projects (Oak Park Public Library, 2023).
5. Libraries as Entrepreneurship Incubators
Libraries can play a key role in fostering entrepreneurship by providing mentorship programs, access to funding opportunities, and hosting networking events. By partnering with local businesses and organizations, libraries can help users transform innovative ideas into actionable ventures.
Example:
- The Toronto Public Library’s Entrepreneur in Residence program connects aspiring entrepreneurs with experts for business development guidance (Toronto Public Library, 2023).
6. Building Community and Driving Social Change
Libraries can function as community hubs where individuals from diverse backgrounds collaborate to drive social change. By hosting hackathons, think tanks, and community projects, libraries foster collective problem-solving and innovation. They also provide resources to address global challenges like climate change and social inequality.
Example:
- Aarhus Public Libraries in Denmark host the Global Goals Lab, engaging communities in workshops to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Aarhus Public Libraries, 2023).
Conclusion
Libraries are evolving into multifaceted knowledge hubs representing the future of education, innovation, and social entrepreneurship. By fostering collaboration, embracing technology, and nurturing creative and entrepreneurial mindsets, libraries empower individuals to become changemakers. They bridge the gap between information and innovation, serving as vital academic and community development resources.
These spaces will be reimagined as Incubator Hubs, iCommons, or Knowledge Hubs—zones dedicated to creative thinking, collaborative learning, and innovative ventures. Services will range from grassroots media production to professional advice and educational programs supporting lifelong learning.
As libraries evolve, so too will the role of the librarian, who must adapt to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world by acquiring new skills and embracing their role as facilitators of transformative learning and innovation.
References
~ Assisted by Elicit and ChatGPT 4.0
