The Evolution of Technical Services: Learning From the Past and Embracing the Future

Libraries and librarians have struggled for many years with an identity crisis of sorts, as changes in the publishing industry, technological advances, and subsequent changes in user behaviors have reshaped the landscape of information and access. The goals of the authors in this article are to better understand where we have come from and, therefore, where we need to be heading. In this article the authors will also articulate the significant role of technical services in the evolution of libraries and create a better understanding of the ways in which technical services will continue to play a vital role in the future.