We’ve been here before: repeating patterns of re-invention of librarians’ roles in academic libraries

Prefaced by a general overview of UK higher education, this paper goes on to examine aspects of the changing role of academic libraries and librarians in relation to new technologies, open access and research data management. Specifically, it outlines the challenges of e-learning and academic research and the emerging openness agenda in education, identifying how librarians might contribute. The UK professional library association CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals of the UK) is responding to these challenges through its new Body of Professional Knowledge and Skills (BPKS) framework. As part of the wider field, future roles for our profession – for example the increasing role for librarians in open access and research data management – are briefly explored.