University Libraries and Space in the Digital World

Perfectly timed for the main theme of this issue of Focus, University libraries and space in the digital world provides a very useful overview of the evolution of the use of physical space in university libraries. For the first time I used the publisher’s online pdf file to write the review, rather than a print copy, and despite my misgivings I found it just as easy and in fact more convenient to carry around and make notes on my iPad. One of the recurring themes of the book is the transition from print to digital collections and I certainly would have been happy working in one of the innovative learning spaces described in the book. The editors have commissioned a selection of essays and case studies tracing the history of the use of space in university libraries and looking forwards to identify the key strategic issues and trends that will influence future developments.