Future-oriented implications of the resilience theory for Iran public libraries

Target: In order to play their role in social developments, public libraries face technological changes and unknown issues that can affect their identity and mission .In reference to the application of novel approaches to reconceptualize the mission of public libraries, this study tries to employ resilience theory to craft a vision for the future of Iran public libraries. Method: This study used a three-step approach including implications studies, environmental scanning and vision building. Findings: A resilient library has features such as diversity, variability, modularity, acknowledgment of slow variables, tight feedback, social capital, innovation, ecosystem services, redundancies, generalists. The manifestations of these feature in public libraries are given. The future library is a phygital platform and a makerspace for participative co-creation. The resilient library as a place for experiential learning is an access point for the citizens for emerging technologies and a platform for the democratization of science and the practice of civic epistemologies. The library of the future has a modular structure and is a place for learning, re-learning and above-all unlearning. Originality/ Value: Future is a moving target and we cannot expect stability and stasis. Therefore, public libraries should not waste their resources by focusing on incremental changes in conventional services. Instead, they should seek novel and generative solutions. This study can help public libraries in this regard.