When
The
Shelf
Went Digital

A lot has happened
in the last 20 years.

The past 20 years have transformed the world in ways few could have predicted. In 2006, Twitter (now X) had yet to launch, smartphones were not yet part of daily life, the 2008 financial crisis was still ahead, and generative artificial intelligence (AI) remained firmly in the realm of science fiction. And academic libraries had shelves full of books rather than digital resources… 

Throughout this period of rapid innovation and change, research has both shaped and responded to global events. Springer Nature’s extensive collection of scholarly books has remained a trusted resource for researchers, students, and librarians navigating this evolving landscape. These eBooks enable authors to share their work widely, give researchers and learners access to peer-reviewed content, and provide librarians with DRM‑free titles and flexible solutions that match their institution’s needs. 

The timeline below highlights major global developments from the past two decades, exploring how they influenced society, research and education and how Springer Nature’s eBooks contributed to the debate and helped advance understanding.