Jisc has introduced a digital transformation library lens, a strategic toolkit designed to help academic libraries strengthen their role in shaping digital change across higher education. Developed with input from the Society of College, National, and University Libraries (SCONUL), Research Libraries UK (RLUK), and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), the toolkit aligns with Jisc’s framework for digital transformation in higher education and highlights the contributions of libraries in institutional initiatives.
The lens emphasizes six areas of transformation: digital culture, knowledge creation, knowledge development, knowledge management and use, partnerships, and infrastructure.
It provides practical examples of how libraries can support institutional strategies in areas such as:
• Developing AI strategies and digital wellbeing initiatives.
• Enhancing research infrastructure and open access policies.
• Co-creating inclusive digital environments and learning spaces.
• Supporting evidence-based decision-making through data and analytics.
• Jisc is piloting the resource with seven universities, with findings expected in 2026.
Supporting materials include a maturity model, action plan templates, and engagement tools for leaders. The initiative is intended to encourage provosts and senior executives to more actively involve library teams in organization-wide digital strategies.
Libraries have long been early adopters of digital innovation, from digitizing collections to developing online learning environments, and the toolkit aims to provide a structured framework for scaling their contributions across higher education.
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