The future of the library/information landscape in the context of the research library Anne Poulson Executive Director, RLUK.

The future of the library/information landscape in

the context of the research library

Anne Poulson

Executive Director, RLUK

“Change is one thing, progress is another. Change is scientific, progress is ethical; change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of controversy”

Bertrand Russell, Philosophy and politics

RLUK strategic themes• Developing the research library workforce

• Building the new research information infrastructure

• Resource discovery and delivery

• Digitisation

• Demonstrating value

• Increasing our effectiveness

Demonstrating our value• How much is about proclaiming more

widely what we already know about our value and is widely accepted?

• How much is it about creating a new evidence base about our value?

• How much will it be about emphasising the continuing value of what we have always done or about emphasising the new?

• Should we concentrate the value of our libraries collectively versus value of individual libraries?

Creating the ruins of the future• Publishing explosion of both physical and

digital materials creates problems for future access, storage and retention

• Need to understand best model for dataset curation and associated metadata

• Concern for all subjects not just e “science”

• Research libraries need to engage with these agendas and not be marginalised

Engagement so far• E-research – UKRDS feasibility study

leading to potential national shared digital research data service

• Raising profile of data deluge issues at the highest level

• Digital preservation initiatives for “born digital” data (e.g. email, wikis)

• Greater emphasis on discovery as well as delivery

Old is not dead• Continued importance of special collections

– critical distinguishing feature • Continued need for investment in

preservation of physical materials • Need for sensible stewardship of the local

unique contributing to the global unique• Digitisation strategies to open up “special”

collections both individually and in collaboration – crucial contribution to scholarship

Research information management• Transforming RAE interaction into playing

a leading role in the REF

• Importance of institutional repositories and management of research outputs

• New role for “subject”/data librarians to play on institutional and national stages

• Advocacy and lobbying skills and institutional confidence to be instilled

Knowing your users

If you wish to persuade me, you must think my thoughts and speak my words

Cicero

The space our users inhabit• Continued importance of and significant

investment in physical space within research libraries

• “We want a library that looks like a library”• Understanding the Google generation and

leading the research information literacy skills pathway

• “Learn and earn” students need flexible structures within which to study

Workforce challenges• Importance of traditional skills still relevant • But pressure of working within continued

hybrid environment with new skills sets to achieve but no increase in staff

• Need for new business model for facilitating acquisition and exposition of different skills sets

• Encourage an appreciation of the need for relevant portfolio skills development

Skills base• Understanding of and willingness to share

change agenda from all library staff• Importance of negotiating and high-level

communications skills – top priority• Strong partnership and professional

intelligence role with researchers• Assert leadership in key areas of research

skills, data management, digitisation, metadata

Leadership challenges• Lack of long-term succession planning• Lack of incentives: Mobility; Money; Mutation• Unusual to move between sectors or even

“groups”• RLUK initiatives

– Recognition that leadership can and should be encouraged at all levels

– Developing mentoring, exchanges (including international) for new professionals

– Partnership with University of Sheffield

Financial challenges• Larger pay bill consequences of

framework agreement now impacting • Predicted reduction in ug uptake until 2020 • Funding of research uncertain post-RAE –

“end of the road” for research concentration?

• “Credit crunch” impact upon universities– Lack of development funding and investment

opportunities– Impact of exchange rates on overseas journal

purchasing is significant problem

Value challenges

• Need for return on investment– High expenditure, low income generation– Avoid being seen as an administrative drain

• Captive audience no longer in place• Wider group of key stakeholders (including

international)• Repositioning of the information

professional in the institution• Competition as well as collaboration

The future is bright• Integral to infrastructure and innovation of

the research-intensive university• Powerhouse in managing the research

outputs of universities• Leadership role for staff in embedding new

high-level skills and values in future generations of researchers

• Demonstrate added value, corporate assets and intellectual leadership

The future is bright (2)• Collaborate for maximum impact where

necessary whilst retaining individual excellence

• Accept the challenges, counter inaction and lead the debate

• Tell the good stories and milk the facts• Articulate and celebrate research libraries’

leading contribution to the public good and innovative research practice

Building the libraries of the future

• Managing the data revolution• Dealing with digitisation• Leading transformation • Realising new platforms • Building a community of practice• Unlocking our staff potential• Ensuring sustainability• Assertiveness in an uncertain environment

In the factory we make cosmetics

In the drugstore we sell hope

Revlon Cosmetics