Jisc launches digital transformation library lens: a strategic toolkit to empower academic libraries

“The new tool highlights the role of library teams in shaping and delivering digital transformation across higher education.

Developed in collaboration with senior library leaders and representatives 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 digital transformation library lens offers a library focused perspective on our established framework for digital transformation in higher education.

It highlights how library and archive services contribute meaningfully to institutional change across the six key areas of the framework: organisational digital culture, knowledge creation and innovation, knowledge development, knowledge management and use, knowledge exchange and partnerships, and digital and physical infrastructure. University libraries have long been pioneers in digital innovation, offering significant expertise to lead on digital collections, scholarly communications, and student digital capabilities. Yet, many libraries have stated they don’t often feel sufficiently involved in institution-wide digital transformation efforts, or that their contributions are not always recognised.

The digital transformation library lens aims to change that by providing a structured, evidence-based approach for library leaders to amplify, enhance and evidence their role, impact and expertise. It provides practical examples of how libraries contribute to institution-wide digital transformation goals and can enhance provision in areas such as:

The digital transformation library lens is available alongside a suite of supporting materials including, a maturity model for digital transformation, action plan templates and stakeholder engagement tools. We are inviting universities to explore the digital transformation library lens and integrate it into their strategic planning.

We are working with seven university libraries to pilot the digital transformation library lens framework with results to be published in 2026. University leaders and library directors are invited to: