---
title: "Beyond Access: How Librarians Shape Learning Across Digital and Physical Spaces"
description: Librarians are redefining their role—balancing digital and physical spaces to guide research, teach new literacies, and support student success.
---

[JoVE BLOG | JoVE](https://blog.jove.com)

# [Beyond Access: How Librarians Shape Learning Across Digital and Physical Spaces](https://blog.jove.com/librarians-digital-physical-spaces-2025)

 Written by [Ellen Ovenden](https://blog.jove.com/author/ellen-ovenden) | Sep 19, 2025 3:09:28 PM

Many think of libraries as quiet book archives from another era. In reality, their role in higher education has never been more vital. 

In a world where students move seamlessly between screens and study spaces, libraries provide an anchor. More than collections, they serve as  **curators of knowledge**, **connectors across disciplines**, and **trusted guides** for students and faculty.

Librarians took center stage in two recent JoVE webinars, with speakers including [Andrea Anderson (University of Iowa)](https://youtu.be/dJ446XzLkWM?feature=shared) and [Barbara Rockenbach (Yale University)](https://youtu.be/ryWj3PYEWC0?feature=shared). Our speakers highlighted the same point: today, libraries are adapting faster than ever, taking on broader roles to meet new, evolving academic needs.

Their insights offer a window into how libraries are redefining their mission. By balancing digital and physical tools and expanding their reach into areas like media and AI literacy, librarians are strengthening how students and faculty learn, research, and connect.

[View full post](https://blog.jove.com/librarians-digital-physical-spaces-2025)

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