The Atlas of New Librarianship...
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An essential guide to a librarianship based not on books and artifacts but on knowledge and learning. Libraries have existed for millennia, but today the library field is searchin…
Book Summary
The Atlas of New Librarianship by R. David Lankes redefines the field around knowledge creation and conversation rather than books and buildings. It offers a conceptual map, 140+ Agreements, and Threads to guide practitioners. This copublished ACRL volume serves as a textbook, conversation guide, and call to action for librarians seeking a durable foundation in a digital age.
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About The Atlas of New Librarianship...
Lankes argues that librarianship must be unmoored from cataloging, books, and buildings and reanchored in knowledge and learning. He proposes a new mission: to improve society by facilitating knowledge creation in communities. Knowledge is created through conversation, so librarians become facilitators who enrich, capture, store, and disseminate community conversations. The book provides a visual map of the field, more than 140 Agreements (statements ranging from theory to practice), and Threads that arrange Agreements to explain key ideas like conceptual foundations, skills, and values. Agreement Supplements expand on discussions. Copublished with the Association of College & Research Libraries, the Atlas is designed as a tool—textbook, conversation guide, social networking platform, and call to action—for practitioners navigating a fragmented information environment.
Who should read The Atlas of New Librarianship...?
This book is essential for library and information science students, early-career librarians, and seasoned practitioners rethinking their roles. Library directors, educators, and administrators will find the conceptual map useful for strategic planning. It suits those interested in community engagement, knowledge facilitation, and the philosophical foundations of librarianship. Anyone teaching LIS courses or leading professional development will value the Agreements and Threads as discussion starters. It is also relevant for allied professionals in information management, education, and community organizing who seek a forward-looking vision of libraries.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Provides a coherent, forward-looking philosophy of librarianship centered on knowledge creation and conversation.
- ✓ Offers practical tools: a visual map, 140+ Agreements, and Threads for structuring discussion and practice.
- ✓ Copublished with ACRL, ensuring relevance to academic and professional audiences.
- ✓ Designed for multiple uses: textbook, conversation guide, social networking platform, and call to action.
- ✓ Agreement Supplements expand on key ideas, adding depth for advanced readers.
Cons
- ✗ The abstract, theoretical framework may overwhelm practitioners seeking immediate how-to guidance.
- ✗ The unconventional structure (Agreements, Threads, map) can feel fragmented or difficult to navigate linearly.
- ✗ Some readers may find the conversational style and repeated calls to action redundant.
- ✗ Limited concrete case studies or implementation examples compared to traditional management texts.
- ✗ The dense philosophical prose may not suit all audiences, especially paraprofessionals or support staff.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this book only for academic librarians?
No. While copublished with ACRL, the Atlas addresses librarians across all settings—public, school, special, and academic—who seek a philosophical and practical foundation for a changing field.
What are Agreements and Threads?
Agreements are 140+ statements about librarianship ranging from theory to practice. Threads arrange Agreements to explain key ideas such as conceptual foundations, skills, and values, helping readers navigate the field.
Can this be used as a textbook?
Yes. Lankes explicitly designed the Atlas as a tool for teaching, conversation, and social networking, making it suitable for LIS courses and professional development.
Does the book offer practical advice or only theory?
It blends theory and practice. The Agreements include examples of practice, and the Threads connect ideas to skills and values, though the emphasis is on conceptual framing rather than step-by-step how-tos.
What is the central argument of the book?
Lankes argues that librarianship should be based on knowledge and learning, not books and artifacts, and that librarians should facilitate knowledge creation through conversation in their communities.
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