This book captures many of the reasons why library and information professionals working in academic libraries everywhere have reason to be optimistic about their future. It provides timely examples of libraries and librarians reimagining their working environments and themselves; demonstrating relevance, resilience and innovation both within their libraries and across their institutions.

As discussed in the opening chapter, librarians have long been aware of the challenges posed by digital scholarship. Indeed, we have observed that the opening gambit for much of the published literature is to rehearse concerns around the continuing relevance of academic libraries and academic librarians. Thankfully, most of the ensuing discussions then go on to demonstrate how the profession is, in the face of these challenges, successfully adapting, innovating and generally navigating its way through disruptive change. Even so, you could be forgiven for internalizing the continuing sub-text that an academic librarian's lot is one of constant tension and struggle in the face of what are often portrayed as indifferent institutions and higher education sectors.

Much of the content of this book showcases examples of where, from an organizational to an individual perspective, libraries are demonstrating flexibility and stretch through the remodelling of services and through innovation in forging new partnerships and carving out new roles or applying existing expertise to new situations, and are making these moves with the confidence that their contribution will provide added value. This boldness is welcome; it is grounded in a clear sense of self-worth, informed by the ongoing belief that the work of the library remains key to the success of all educational institutions.

This is in contrast to the anxiety expressed by some colleagues over the loss of professional identity, when the association between the library and the librarian becomes less tangible. We have observed two almost opposing developments, offering opportunities but also challenge. The first is where the role of the librarian is taken out of the library and becomes more completely engaged in ‘outreach’ activities, illustrating participation in a networked environment, rather than simply providing a demonstration. The second is where, as Bergstrom describes, new, non-traditional roles are created within the library; for example, data curation librarians and digital scholarship co-ordinators.