Top management in academic/university libraries must play a more significant role within the academic setting by reorganizing library spaces or building new libraries that will be aligned with the new teaching pedagogies and today’s students learning styles. The aim of this study is to present and discuss trends related to how librarians are redefining academic libraries’ buildings and spaces in order to better be aligned to changing pedagogies and students’ learning styles and needs.
The paper has an implication for improving knowledge-sharing strategies on the development and use of different library spaces and library buildings. There is a need for knowledge about what types of library spaces university students and faculty will most likely use in order to more effectively accomplish their academic requirements and obligations, enhancing thus the teaching and learning experience.
This paper offers input and practical suggestions on how academic libraries can make a more significant impact in the university community and increase its role in collaborating with students’ overall academic success.
The overall findings show that (1) there is still nowadays a vivid discussion about the ability of the academic library building survive amidst the tech driven society and learning habits by the “Y” and “Me” generations; (2) Print collections, although is decreasing in volume, are not still “dead”; (3) Students still seek and value the library for individual studies and research; and (4) students use the library for socializing purposes and collaborative learning; (5) students will come to the library when it is remolded or built aligned with their needs and learning styles in mind.
