In order to really find a new direction for the library, I think there a number of tough questions that need to be answered.

While the Taiga Forum produced some good ones http://www.taigaforum.org/docs/ProvocativeStatements.pdf

(and dont worry, I will get back to some of those) I think we need to ask some very fundamental questions first.

So, here are my first two;

Who is the person or group, that we really need to cater to in the future?

It seems to me that this will fundamentally determine what direction we are taking. So, should the new direction focus more on student needs? Facutly needs? Library Employee needs? Something/someone else?

Obviously, I am not suggesting that we ignore all other groups at the expense of the primary focus group, but still, an answet to that question will lead us to an answer for my second question which is;

What is the Library mission of the future?

Depending on who we are focusing on, our mission will be different. Over the last century, the Library has made many drastic changes in terms of its mission...and it seems that the age of information is pushing us to re-assess yet again. Should we be a space provider for students? Should we focus on collection development in an age of quick access? Should we primarily be an access point for hard to find journals? Should we be competeing or championing Google? I think these all depend on who our primary focus is.

So, lets start off simple (ha!) and see what people think.These questions seem simple enough on the surface and yet...when you really think about them...there is a lot to ponder. So lets hear what you have to say!