ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the place of academic libraries in the learning landscape. It looks at the wider national and international developments that have changed the picture of higher education in the UK over the last two decades of the twentieth century. The learning centre approach is a particular response to the changing teaching and learning landscape within higher education, which in turn is driven by wider educational and societal developments. Some higher education institutions have used the challenges and opportunities presented by these developments to rethink the role and purpose of their academic support services. Another key development has been the increased participation in higher education of school leavers from lower social classes and swelling numbers on postgraduate courses. In a general sense, technological developments have had a far-reaching impact on the population and this has been felt by higher education.
