About This Project

Society of Chief Librarians Digital Leadership

Shared Intelligence’s horizon-scanning and skills research on digital leadership skills for the Society of Chief Librarians engaged more than 200 existing heads of libraries and future library leaders. The study looked at the digital trends affecting the library sector, and the skills library service managers will need in order to respond to the future challenges and opportunities.

To establish what digital trends will affect libraries over the next five to ten years, we carried out an intensive horizon-scanning exercise which included a literature review, social media analysis, and a survey of library heads of services’ views on key future trends. We also carried out a skills audit of current heads of library services as well as staff considered to be future leaders.

We found enormous enthusiasm for exploiting digital technology in public libraries but also a need to ensure the potential of new technologies is being properly communicated and shared across library services.

As part of this work we facilitated a series of webinars to enable library managers from across the country to shape the research and exchange their own learning on the digital leadership challenges for the sector.

We also developed recommendations for SCL about skills development and how libraries can better share experiences and expertise nationally, so that good ideas can scale and spread.

Client: Society of Chief Librarians (with funding from Arts Council England)