What are most academic librarians thinking about as they plan for the future? We went straight to the source to find out.
Randa al Chidiac, Library Director at the American University in Dubai (AUD), has spent more than 25 years shaping academic library collections and programming. In addition to her role at AUD, she’s a global leader in the library community, sitting on committees in the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and the International Advocacy Program (IAP) supporting the 2030 UN agenda for sustainable development. Over the course of her career, she's developed a passion for connecting students with the right resources while keeping inclusivity and innovation front and center.
During a recent webinar, we asked Chidiac to share the biggest resource trends she’s seeing in academic libraries right now. Here’s what she had to say.
Accessibility features are non-negotiable
Accessibility isn’t optional. It's essential.
Chidiac stresses the importance of digital resources that remove barriers for students with a range of learning and accessibility needs. She highlights features like dyslexic fonts, dark mode, text-to-speech tools, and seamless use across laptops, tablets and phones.
More than just ticking an accessibility checkbox, these tools empower students to control how they engage with materials. Whether they’re reading, listening or switching between devices, they need access to academic library resources in the learning format of their choice. “It makes the experience more human, more approachable,” she explains.
An example of how built-in accessibility supports students is PressReader. The digital platform gives academic users an intuitive way to engage with newspapers and magazines through features like text-to-speech, screen reader compatibility and customizable reading modes. This makes it easier for students with diverse needs to learn on their own terms.
AI is a learning companion (not a threat)
The last couple of years have put artificial intelligence (AI) at the center of many controversial conversations. However, it does have an increasingly important role in improving access to learning.
Chidiac encourages librarians and educators to lean into AI thoughtfully, using it to enhance learning without replacing critical thinking. “Let it be a companion in education,” she says.
In particular, she highlights important features such as:
- Instant translation tools that bridge language gaps and foster connection.
- AI-assisted reading tools that adjust to reading levels and learning styles.
- Visual and interactive tools that support different learning modalities.
Preparing students for the future requires teaching them how to use AI responsibly. This includes integrating it into information literacy programs so that academic users can be more confident and discerning.
Diversity of perspectives and media literacy are essential
Having access to global perspectives from various sources makes education richer. But it's important to understand which sources are reliable and trustworthy.
Chidiac points to media literacy as a critical academic skill — one that empowers students to analyze sources, question narratives and identify misinformation. “You need your users to be able to discern between credible and false information,” she says. That’s how you help shape better global citizens.
She highlights PressReader as a key resource for this work. With thousands of newspapers and magazines from trusted publishers around the world, the platform gives students direct access to credible journalism and a variety of viewpoints. This deepens critical thinking and enriches coursework.
Libraries must support their community's linguistic requirements
For libraries in multilingual and multicultural communities, varied language coverage and translation features are key to keeping individuals informed and connected.
At AUD, Chidiac prioritizes resources that offer wide linguistic coverage. “Dubai is multicultural," she reminds us. “That means going beyond English and Arabic to include languages like Urdu, French and Hindi, depending on the community’s needs.”
PressReader supports this need with publications in more than 60 languages, as well as built-in translation tools that make global content accessible to every user.
Institutional strategy and budget considerations
Like many librarians, Chidiac faces the constant balancing act of meeting diverse needs while staying within budget. Her approach? Select resources that:
- Align with academic programs and institutional priorities.
- Serve both students and wider community users, including faculty, researchers and even industry professionals.
- Offer broad, versatile use cases to maximize value.
She also underscores the importance of thinking beyond immediate student needs. Academic librarians should also consider long-term goals such as community engagement and industry partnerships.
PressReader in practice at AUD
For Chidiac, PressReader ticks many of the boxes academic libraries care about: accessibility, global perspectives, language coverage and real-time content.
During the webinar, she described how she uses the platform at AUD. From searching for content on specific topics in multiple languages to using features like text-to-speech, translation and replica views, she demonstrated how PressReader makes it easy for students to explore global news and research current events.
Watch her demo below:
Beyond the academic benefits, she also noted how PressReader simplifies library operations by eliminating the need for sourcing, shelving, storing or recycling newspapers and magazines.
For Chidiac, the platform’s longevity says it all. She's been using PressReader since the early 2000s, and it's still part of her current library role. "That’s a sign of sustainability,” she reminds us.
Chidiac's takeaway: Stay inclusive and adaptable
From accessibility to AI, the growing importance of media literacy to budget strategy, Randa’s insights offer a clear message for academic librarians: today’s students need resources that are inclusive, adaptable and globally connected.
PressReader continues to play a key role in meeting those needs — helping libraries like AUD deliver on their mission to inform, empower and inspire every user.
Watch the full webinar on our YouTube channel to see Chidiac's full walkthrough and hear more of her expert advice.
