Content area
Full Text
1. Research background
The term “innovation in libraries” refers to the process by which library services evolve to be calibrated to the changing needs of users, such as by offering new or revamped services incorporating new digital technologies, and by supporting for new paradigms of information-seeking behavior by users (Yeh and Walter, 2017). Innovation in libraries has been broadly defined to consist of changes in existing library services to keep up with the changing needs and information-seeking behaviors of users. Service innovation driven by new digital technologies further supports new paradigms of teaching and research (Walter and Lankes, 2015). Rapid evolution of technology and the digital era have enabled faster and more convenient access to knowledge and information resources, and the role of the traditional librarian is changing. Because the main mission of most libraries is to offer equal access to information, libraries have become trendsetters in the use of digital platforms and implementing innovative technologies and services. Due to rapid changes in the collective information landscape, the information-seeking behavior of library users and the nature of library operations, usage patterns of library resources have steadily evolved from being library-centric to involving reciprocal interaction between the library and users (O'Connor et al., 2007). This trend has caused a paradigm shift in the role and function of libraries in the 21st century. Major advancements include the emergence of digital technologies, changes in how library users seek and use information, and the new demands and expectations that these users have of libraries, prompting libraries to transform the delivery of user services.
A number of forces have driven the recent transformation of libraries, including the digitization of content; the development of print repositories, e-readers and print-on-demand publishing; the growth of open access; challenges to established academic publishing organizations; and the growth of new forms of scholarship based on openness and social productivity. The ubiquitous and interconnected communication network that predominantly makes information resources easily and freely available requires a synchronous transformation of library practice (Lewis, 2013; Lynch, 1993). Therefore, libraries now can play a role in organizing citizenship and offer playgrounds and makerspaces, social services and much more. The growing maker movement within communities and libraries is due to the many advocates promoting its value. The makerspaces...