Maura Marx, Acting Director, says that IMLS is ” less focused than in the past on supporting specific types of learning or learning spaces. Instead, we aim to build on past initiatives to help libraries and the profession best evaluate and support their communities’ specific learning needs.”

Learning in libraries is changing.  How does the profession respond?  David Lankes, Professor, School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, says “If we expect librarians to do everything, then they will do nothing well.” Competencies help collect all potential skills, knowledge, and mind-sets that the profession may need overall, but organizations should prioritize.”

Siobhan Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, said we can’t be all things to all people.  “We can’t afford it, Reardon said. “We’re not good at it, and so let’s narrow down the skill sets in our strategic plan.”

Read more in the  Learning in Libraries Final Report.