Dissertation Proposal: Academic Library Director's Role and Impact

This dissertation proposal examines the evolving role of academic library directors within the changing academic environment. The study focuses on understanding the impact of library directors on the transformation of library spaces into active learning centers, the influence of technological innovations, and the adoption of learning commons. It explores the theoretical framework based on Dewey's theory and investigates the challenges faced by library directors in adapting to new technologies and student learning methods. The research aims to analyze the experiences of library directors to determine how library spaces can be effectively transformed and to examine the effectiveness of library resources and services. The study employs a qualitative phenomenological methodology, using semi-structured interviews to collect data and analyze the changing roles, responsibilities, and operational structures of libraries in higher education, with a focus on the impact of technological and social dimensions on the learning process and student engagement. This research contributes to the understanding of how library directors can navigate the changing landscape of academic libraries.

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Dissertation Proposal

DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Academic Library Director’s role in the changing environment
Dissertation Proposal
Submitted to North central University
School of Education
in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of
DOCTOR OFEducation
by
Antonia DiGregorio
Location:
Month:
Year:
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DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Question
Theorectical Framework
Nature of the Study
Significance of the Study
Definitions of Key Terms
Summary
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Documentation
Introduction
Theorectical Framework
The role and responsibilities of library directors
Learning Commons
Academic trends: librarians and libraries
Summary
Chapter 3: Research Method
Research Method and Design
Population
Sample
Materials/Instruments
Data Collection, Processing, and Analysis
Assumptions, Limitations, Delimitations
Ethical Assurances
Summary
References
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Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.0 Introduction
By drawing the considerable role of library directors, the academic environment,
partitions and researchers have played an influential role for determining their actions from the
last few decades. The purpose of this dissertation is to shed light on the role of library directors
in the changing academic environment. In this dissertation, different objectives have selected and
by highlighting different steps for conducting the comprehensive study, the researcher has
described the entire topic.
According to Kumar (2015), the traditional as well as the physical environment of
academic libraries are being transformed into the active learning centers, tech commons and
classrooms, which are being incorporated by initiatives of academic students. Due to the physical
transformation in the academic library field, the contribution of technological innovation has
been increased for increasing the learning facilities. By continuing this it can be said that due to
availability of electronic resources in the academic library field, the physical effort has been de
creased. In order to satisfy the educational as well as the social purpose, the new library space
plays a significant role. In case of incorporating an effective academic environment, the physical
space in the college libraries space been converted into different range of activities such as
service and resource collection. In the words of May and Thomas (2015), by increasing the en
engagement in the academic spectrum, it has become necessary for emphasizing collaborative
actions. Learning commons are mostly being used by the students, however there is no evidence
to identify if the student has done the job or not for gaining the higher grade.
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It cannot be denied that traditional library space is being considered as the widespread
practice that plays an important role for influencing the academic libraries as well as changing
technologies, changing students and learning methods of individuals. In order to develop the
learning process, the academic library directors need to focus on bringing the changes in physical
space. In order to collect the information from learning process, the active participation of the
students plays an important role. In the theory of Dewey, it is mentioned that in order to
understand the objectives of students, necessary resources needed to provide the learners so that
they will be able to effectively achieve the goals.
The Library directors need to be clear about the importance of transforming the library
space. In order to understand the needs of students, it is very important for the directors to
understand the importance of the changing educational pattern and pedagogy. Analyzing the
initial influences of the technology for acclimating the changes, it can be said that process of
sharing communication and information are the important influential factors. Due to changes in
the experience of library directors and changing environment in academic libraries, mission,
purpose and operational structure of the libraries have been changed. By underlying the
essentialness of educational aspects and social influences in the educational sector, the Dewey
theory has been developed. As stated by Jones (2018), in order to develop the Learning
Commons and bringing the transformation in academic library environment the Dewey’s theory
is beneficial.
In order to transform the physical space, the academic traditional environment needs to
be converted into the active learning centers. The traditional as well as the physical environment
of academic libraries are being transformed into the active learning centers, tech commons and
classrooms, which are being incorporated by initiatives of academic students. Due to the physical
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transformation in the academic library field, the contribution of technological innovation has
been increased for increasing the learning facilities. By continuing this it can be said that due to
availability of electronic resources in the academic library field, the physical effort has been de
creased. In order to satisfy the educational as well as the social purpose, the new library space
plays a significant role. In case of incorporating an effective academic environment, the physical
space in the college libraries space been converted into different range of activities such as
service and resource collection. Thomas (2015) stated that the new technological initiative in the
academic sector has brought the structural revolution. By transforming the physical footprint,
different opportunities can be created by involving into the communal educational spaces. By
utilizing the converted space, it can be easier for the students to improve the academic and
personal activities.
It cannot be denied that traditional library space is being considered as the widespread
practice that plays an important role for influencing the academic libraries as well as changing
technologies, changing students and learning methods of individuals. In order to develop the
learning process, the academic library directors need to focus on bringing the changes in physical
space. In order to collect the information from learning process, the active participation of the
students plays an important role. It is also true that before the introduction of Commons,
traditional processes were being followed in the library functions. Due to the increasing
availability of the online references like FAQ, email, texting and Ask a librarian, it has become
easier for the students to gather huge academic information. After the 20th century, the
continuous growth in the academic sector has been introduced due to the changes in learning
processes and learning module. Due to changes in information technology, the library space has
been incorporates by introducing the LED projects. During the year 1990, different shelving
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have been included in the learning processes. In most of the cases, the library directors focus on
for discussing the needs of institutions and learners so that the commons can be successfully
developed.
In the late of 1990s, the higher education in the academic libraries were dependent on the
information accessibility process. During this period, the information accessibility process was
based on the internet accessibility. According to Bowers (2018), the traditional library
progression were based on the changing influences of commoners. After the introduction of
modern library processes, the practice of unnecessary printing collection has been stopped. After
the creation of openness, new procedure and policies have been introduced, which has brought
huge revolution in the industry. By sharing the information, the higher education practice for
changing the technological and social dimensions in learning processes. Due to the current
transactions, the learning commons have been developed, which plays an influential role for
delivering the effective staff model. By continuing this, it can be said that by evaluation the
needs of individuals, the possible changes in the learning sector can be introduced.
1.1 Statement of the problem
The academic library directors are playing an influential role for driving the academic
environment, which is affecting the transformational process in the library. In case of adopting
the changes in higher education has become the major concern in this industry. In order to bring
the changes as well as revolution in the library sector, it has become necessary for the directors
for enhancing their abilities so that the changing academic library space can be effectively
managed. By enhancing the experience of the directors, the transformational process of learning
can be enhanced. By adopting digital strategy, the physical transformation of the libraries has
been introduced.
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It is true that the library directors have the minimal experience, so that they can be able to
adopt the technological innovation initiatives, which can directly influence the educational
standard. Depending on the aligned strategies, the library directors bring the technological as
well as instructional innovations, which plays an essential role for supporting the needs for
changes to the academic community. The changing environment in libraries can be considered as
the biggest problem in the current situation, which are creating challenges for library directors to
implement their strategies (Harris-Keith, 2016). It is true that in most of the cases, the
phenomenological research design helps to examine the changes, which are required for the
academic library development practices. In case of both the public and private colleges, the
theoretical concept of Dewey has brought the major influences in both the private, public and
community colleges and universities. By underlining the concepts of the social and technological
dimensions, the structure, mission and operation purpose of the individuals are being analyzed.
The technological innovation is highly responsible for the bringing the personal as well as
professional development.
1.2 Purpose of the study
The purpose of this study is to analyze the experiences of the library directors so that the
library space can be transformed into the Learning Commons. In case of discussing the process
of changing, the effect of traditional library environment is being analyzed. By examining the
emerging challenges faced by the library directors, the study has shed light on the case of
determining the effectiveness of services and resources. Through the semi-structured questions,
the opened interviews with the library directors, transformational photographs and reports can be
introduced. In the Dewey’s experience theory, the reorganizational framework has been
analyzed, which has been developed depending on the evidences collected from the interview
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sessions with the library directors. Analyzing the primary role of education, it can be said that it
contributes in bringing the constructive betterment in the educational sector. By continuing this,
it can be said that through this study the uncovered evidences that can develop the fundamental
restructuring process have been identified. By providing the information regarding the learning
process, the study will focus on contributing in higher educational process. The qualitative
phenomenological methodology can play an effective role so that the inductive logic can be able
to interpret the contextual academic information in proper manner. The result of this study will
describe the concerning library’s transformation process in right manner.
1.3 Theoretical Framework
Depending on the theoretical experiences of the Dewey, the important principles such as
continuity and interaction have been highlighted. The situational experience can determine the
outcome of individuals. By contributing in the society, the situational experiences as well as
positive dimension of the society can be analyzed. By continuing this it can be said that based on
different perspectives for connecting with the library directors, the transformational changes can
be introduced through the library space. As stated by Hutchinson (2015), the valuable experience
of individuals can contribute in the society by bringing the future and present development of
individuals. Through the data collection process, it has been identified that experiences of library
directors, the traditional common space can be transformed.
In the words of Hutchinson (2015), depending on the theoretical study, the social
constructive opportunity can be provided to the library directors so that several elements related
to the library space can be improved. By continuing this it has been identified that depending on
the current situation where the social constructive paradigms can be influenced. Depending on
the academic community and staffs, the phenomenological situation can focus on formulating the
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composite descriptions. As per Dewey, the educators need to focus on understanding the changes
that occur in society and has the direct impact on the learning process of the students. In this
study it can be said that individuals should be provided the opportunity for learning the societal
conditions. Working abilities as well as the involvement in the society can help to bring the
influential impact on learning processes of individuals. In the words of Harland, Stewart and
Bruce (2017), understanding the changes and implementing the constant strategies depending on
the librarians experiences, can be very challenging for the institutions. In this situation, the needs
of the students can get affected as these societal changes can ensure the dependability through
the actionable means. By continuing this Hutchinson (2015) stated that depending on the
efficiency of the library directors, the dependability is being ensured, that increase the work
abilities.
In the Dewey’s theory, the cognition as well as interaction processes are being developed
that influences the meaning and intelligence. The Academic libraries are being considered as the
organization in which the governance among faculty, trustees and administrators shares are being
involved. Through the technological innovations, both the personal and professional
developments are being introduced. Depending on the technological innovations, new demands
of the educators as well as learners can be understood, which brings the potential impact on the
organizations. Through the academic libraries transformational processes, the higher educational
processes in the society can be improved. It cannot be denied that the society development can
also influence the processes of higher education and technological transformation. Academic
commons can be considered as the common example of technological innovation that can drive
the decision making processes of individuals. In order to understand the potential impact of the
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individuals, the technological influence can bring the potential impact on the organization
(Harris-Keith, 2016).
Understanding the functional needs of the organization, the stability can be restored.
Depending on the physical restructuring process, the engagement of the Academic libraries can
be ensured. Depending on the acceptance of technological and environmental changes, the
library environment of the institution can gets influenced. In case of higher education, the
environmental changes can influence the society as well as technological innovations. As per
Dewey, by restoring g the stability the process of interaction can be improved.
1.4 Nature of the Study
In order to understand the experience of Library Directors, a qualitative
phenomenological approach can be used during the transition period. By producing the
transformative framework, qualitative approach for the research can be assumed depending on
the technological variables. It is true that the Phenomenological inquiry can be considered as the
empirical form that is being developed depending on the human perspectives. In case of
understanding the experiences of individuals, the risks in thee learning practices can be analyzed.
Depending on the phenomenological methodology of this study, the personal experiences
of the library directors throughout the transformational process from traditional to modern space,
the learning commons can be influenced. In order to establish the similarities and dissimilarities
of the analytical approach of individuals’, process clarification is needed. The library directors
aim to explore the different types of library directions in which the future successes of the
transformational processes are being analyzed.
After getting the approval from the NCU IRB, the renovation process will be introduced
by the different library directors from different colleges and universities. In order to collect the
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data for this research, virtual interviews, in person and phones can be used. In order to conduct
the interview, the open ended questions will be used. It is true that depending on the personal
experiences, the directors will share the information that can play an influential role for
enhancing different themes in the learning process. Depending on the descriptive cross-sectional
design, the comprehensive report can be developed by using the SPSS version 25 data analysis
technique.
In the Harland’s substantive grounded theory, it has been identified that Library Directors
needs to focus on adopting vision of the University so that technological impact as well as
student perspectives can be effectively understood. In this Harland’s substantive grounded
theory, the role of directors and their influence for bringing the technological innovation have
been highlighted. By restructuring the transformation impacts, the library professionals can be
able to understand the physical space that can bring the improvement in library environment. In
the Harland’s substantive grounded theory, it has been also mentioned that by bringing the
changes in higher education and technological innovation not only the experience of library
directors can be improved, but also it can help to develop the library environment. By
restructuring the library physical space, the opportunities to the library directors can be
introduced. It is true that ACRL principle can help to develop the intellectual commons. That can
help to expand the learning knowledge. By continuing this it can be said that the intellectual
space can also help to interact with the ideas of both the physical and virtual environments. The
ACRL principle is being considered as the process in which the changes are being occurred in
the higher education.
In the phenomenological analysis, it has been identified that the transformational process
can help to develop the current situation in the libraries. The study has focused on the important
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