Information professionals must both zoom in on the individual user and his or her specific problem situation, cognitive and affective state, and end goals, and then zoom out to the level of the group, organization, or community to consider the broader expectations, access and resource constraints, and emerging technologies that will impact current and future information needs.
—Heather O’Brien and Devon Greyson, chapter 4
Libraries and information organizations continue to evolve so they can best meet the needs of their user communities in response to the changing information landscape. From their beginnings, libraries have served as gateways to information and education and have provided opportunities equitably for diverse communities. With an array of programs, services, and materials, they encourage, engage, and promote information literacy and lifelong learning. While information organizations have changed and will continue to do so in exciting and innovative ways, their core mission is stronger than ever, and they are envisioning and embracing a future that combines learning, sharing, and creating knowledge and experiences that meet the needs of their users.
Part I explores the early beginnings of libraries and their growth and development in response to changing user needs and an ever-evolving society. Part I also considers the different ways that information organizations maintain their core values of serving users’ diverse information needs while supporting intellectual freedom, equity of access, and social justice. It also highlights the role of technology in driving innovation while reminding the profession of the importance of continuing to adapt, evolve, and stay proactive in the face of continuous social, cultural, and technological change.