Is the physical library a redundant resource for 21st century academics?

Tue 26 Oct 2010, 18.30 – 20.00
Conference Centre, British Library
Price: £6 / £4 concessions

As more and more academic resources are available online at the click of a button, what purpose does the university library or research library hold today? Is it a critical point of assistance and expertise, or is it merely a wasted building on campus better passed over to teaching and study space? How can the library remain a relevant institution for tomorrow’s researchers?

Ann Mroz, editor of Times Higher Education chairs a discussion with Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at Newnham College, University of Cambridge; Clive Bloom, Emeritus Professor of English at Middlesex University; Sarah Porter, Head of Innovation at JISC and Martin Lewis, Director of Library Services at the University of Sheffield.

http://www.bl.uk/whatson/events/event113921.html

SCONUL response to the Browne Review of Higher Education funding

Ann Rossiter, Executive Director of SCONUL said today in response to the Browne Review:

“Libraries play a vital role in teaching and supporting students. Research by HEFCE has shown that the quality of library facilities is a key factor for students when choosing which university to attend. And as Browne recognises, student satisfaction is higher where universities fund and value their library services.

“The importance of libraries must be reflected in the new funding system for HE. Similarly, given the likely higher education funding cuts in next week’s Comprehensive Spending Review, Vice Chancellors must carefully consider where they wield the axe, ensuring they keep the services that students value most highly.”

Lord Browne’s review identifies library facilities as one of the key determinants of student satisfaction.

http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/corporate/docs/s/10-1208-securing-sustainable-higher-education-browne-report.pdf

Chair in Digital Collections

Lorna Hughes, currently Deputy Director of the Centre for e-Research at King’s College London, has been appointed to a pioneering new post at the National Library of Wales. She will become the world’s first ever Chair in Digital Collections. The post, funded for five years by the University of Wales, is the first academic Chair to be established in any national library in the world.

Lorna has twenty years experience in researching and organising digital information and has worked in universities in Glasgow, Oxford, Arizona, New York and London.

Lorna will undertake and lead academic research on the latest developments in digital resources, while applying their findings to the large digital collections housed at the National Library of Wales. This work spans the creation, provision, investigation, interpretation and conservation of digital collections, including legal issues, the management of data, innovative research methods, and technological developments in access, search and exploitation.

Lorna says, ‘I am delighted to be joining the National Library of Wales, which has a world-class reputation and some very important collections. The NLW has incredible digital collections, and has taken a very strategic approach to digitisation in recent years. I hope to develop a number of new research projects related to the creation, management and use of digital collections. I am also very committed to developing collaborations and partnerships, both nationally and internationally.’

In many respects Lorna will be going back to her roots as she takes up the job of Chair in Digital Collections.

‘I had a Welsh grandfather, who practiced as a dentist in Glasgow in the 1930s! Sadly, he died many years before I was born, but I am now inspired to track down some of my Welsh connections. I am also really looking forward to re-locate in West Wales,’ she added.

Andrew Green, Librarian of The National Library of Wales, is looking forward to Lorna beginning in her new post in Aberystwyth.

‘The National Library of Wales is very glad to appoint a person of Lorna’s calibre and expertise. We hope she will be inspired by the collections within the National Library and beyond. We’re sure she will be able to bring her enthusiasm and experience together for the benefit of extending our understanding and appreciation of digitised and as yet undigitised collections to the world’s attention and benefit,’ said Andrew Green.

Professor Marc Clement, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales, also expressed his pleasure at the appointment:

‘The University of Wales is delighted to be instrumental in establishing this unique professorial post.  I feel certain that Professor Hughes brings exactly the right mix of experience and enthusiasm required to lead the innovative work of pioneering the Library’s new technological developments.’

Digital Information Conference 2010

28 October 2010 – Kings Place, London

Librarians and information professionals are faced with a large number of choices when migrating content online. CILIP’s Digital Information Conference titled ‘The challenge of choice’ provides delegates with clarity to interpret the implications for their organisations.

This comprehensive and thought provoking conference is divided into four key sessions and allows for extensive interaction and debate throughout the day. It is ideally timed to take a considered view of the post-Election social, political and economic environment and the potential impact of the Coalition Government’s policies. It provides a sounding board for those seeking to balance the need for innovation and continued service delivery with a changed environment defined by severe budget cuts and reduced resources.

Conference highlights include:

 *     leading industry experts, case studies and parallel sessions

*     presentation on dealing with new digital challenges in academic libraries

*     Publishers Lookup Award presentation

*     opportunity to question speakers and debate the issues

For a full programme and speaker information visit www.cilip.org.uk/digitalinfo2010 . Places are limited so book online today.