Forord

Abstract

Amongst other things, DTU Library marks its 75th jubilee with this jubilee publication, an exhibition, a film and an event on 23 November 2017. In future, the majority of the materials will be found on the library’s homepage: www.bibliotek.dtu.dk On previous jubilees, we have published handsome, printed jubilee books. In our digital times, we have chosen to issue an electronic jubilee publication. It seems appropriate to the general digital trans-formation which marks the past 25 years of DTU Library’s history. This jubilee publication is briefer and lighter in style than its printed predecessors. Focus is on where DTU Library stands today and in what direction we are moving. This with due regard to the history, which is included as one of the themes. The other themes are probes into central issues over the past 25 years, written by freelance journalist Rasmus Højmark Ravn based on interviews with key persons associated with DTU Library. The story about DTU Library begins with a library whose roots go back to the establishment of The Polytechnic College, now DTU, in 1829. In 1942, a fusion took place between Technical Library and the library of the Industrial Association. At the inauguration of this new library in 1942, there were significant restrictions for the students, who were not even allowed to read their own books in the library’s reading room. Today, in 2017, the reality fortunately looks quite differently. Today, students are encouraged to bring their own books, use their own computer, work in groups, chat to each other, eat and drink as they wish etc. The present time differs from the past as the library hall is no longer adorned with prohibition signs and the furniture is comfortable and creates an atmosphere of relaxation and “hygge” Today, the library is called a “Smart library” because DTU’s researchers as well as students are able, fully, to take advantage of the technological possibilities. This is in keeping with the budding digital development in the 1990s, which was exactly as revolutionary as the smart library is today. Thus, DTU Library can proudly claim to be the path to knowledge and innovation. The technological development has also brought about a change of paradigm in the relation between libraries on the one hand and researchers and students on the other. A shift from a former “awe” to a present “straightforwardness”. A modern search system means that the student and the researcher can find much literature by themselves. Instead, they use the librarian for more specific and complicated problems. In future, DTU Library will be moving further and further into the core of teaching and research at DTU. The library involves itself in new forms of education, such as co-creation, and makes a serious effort in the Open Science area. Open Access and research data management require new and different efforts, which DTU Library has already begun to tackle. The future is already knocking on our doors, and DTU Library will continue to be a leading user-focused and innovative library which supports DTU’s research, education and cooperation. Throughout its history, DTU Library has proved to be ready to grasp changes and meet challenges; and we will continue to do so over the coming 25 years.