Limbering up for the future: are librarians fit

for purpose?

Janet Peters, Director of Libraries and University

LibrarianCardiff University

Recent medals

Many achievements in changing the face of libraries ….

New services

Self issue Virtual Librarian Mobile apps Social media Federated library

searching Information and

Digital Literacy

Races won (?)

Usage levels holding at 53 visits/FTE user since 2006/7 (61 in 2000/1); loans at 51 (48 in 2000/1)

Negotiations with publishers RLUK led ASPI ‘saved’ sector c. £20M Some joint NHS/HE licensing (London)

National coordination on key issues Storage of print journals – UKRR (led by

RLUK/BL) Resource Data Management – KB+ (led by

SCONUL/Jisc)

Races ahead

Customer satisfaction Quality agenda Open Access publishing Shared services Research Data Management Efficiency Innovation Collaboration Relevance

How do we get fit for the future?

Where do we want to be in 5 (3?) years time

Create a vision of what it will look like

Set targets (create a strategy)Train (spread good practice, exchange

experience)Practice (improve skills)Reflect and adjustBe confident (get involved

in new areas of work)Utilise experts

One example: RLUK strategy

RLUK's vision is that the UK should

have the best research library support in the

world

What are our training priorities? Five strands …

1. Redefining the research library model

2. Shaping ethical and effective publishing

3. Collaborating to reduce costs and improve quality

4. Promoting unique and distinctive collections

5. Modelling the library role in research data management

1. Redefining the research library model

What is the role of the library in supporting its university?

Where should we lead, and where do we serve? Where are the skills gaps? Are we planning our succession to the ‘next gen’

library directors? Using surveys (Ithaka survey of UK academic

staff), thought pieces, position statements, workshops on three themes …

the concept of the library

collection

  the role of libraries in the

research process

(workshop July 2013)

the development of new roles/services and new skills

Practising new skills: RRLM blog

Reflective process with blue skies thinking …

Outcomes will inform next strategy,

2014-2017

Other strands much more practical

Working collectively to represent sectorIdentifying good practiceOffering advice and guidance in new areas

of work

2. Shaping ethical and effective publishing

Finch Green self-archiving route Gold Article Payment Charges (APCs)

Transitional funding Market place for APCs?

Author behaviour National negotiations Double dipping

Cross sectoral licensing (eg HE/NHS) Continued negotiations with publishers

3. (Reducing costs and) improving quality …

Student funding Shift from government/tax payer to student No more money overall

Student choice Key Information Sets National Student Survey

Research Excellence Framework Significant levels of funding attached

… through collaboration

Sharing business intelligence and comparing work practices/job roles

Shared services – what is the future role of: COPAC and COPAC Collection Management

Tools? Consortial storage of journals – UKRR? And

monographs? Licensing information – KnowledgeBase+ Cataloguing? Shelf ready; specialist hubs; master

record Library Management Systems?

4. Promoting Unique and Distinctive Collections

Not necessarily ‘special’ or old Hidden Collections report: 13m

items uncatalogued (18.5% of all collections)

Is the future in digitisation? Everything? On demand?

How do we exploit their promotional role for universities; do we have the fund-raising and marketing skills?

5. Library role in Research Data Management

Library is a partner; can we lead as well? Other players: IT; Research Offices;

Research Councils; Regional Computing Services

What are the skills we can offer?Where are the skills gaps?

How can existing experts help:• Digital Curation Centre• Sheffield iSchool online resources

The library and institutional policy

•58 (72%) reported the library had been involved in RDM policy development•There was an emphasis on collaboration between different units across the institution•Pathfinder projects in institutions (many Jisc-funded) were seen as being important

(Stephen Pinfield presentation to RLUK conference March 2013)

Skills gaps: comments

•About a third of respondents said the library had the right skills to play a significant role in RDM•Over 50% said the library did not have the right skills“There is a wide range of skills required for research data management, and where the library is very strong in is: cataloguing including metadata, digital preservation, curation, training, academic engagement, copyright, publication process”

“A few library staff have some of the right skills”

(Stephen Pinfield presentation to RLUK conference March 2013)

Other examples …

Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum (WHELF)

Welsh Context

Quality & Impact of service

Shared Services

Sustainability & value for money

Legal Compliance

Student Experience

and Employability

Student Experience

and Employability

International and

Globalised University

International and

Globalised University

Research and Enterprise

Research and Enterprise

Workforce Development

And Lifelong Learning

Workforce Development

And Lifelong Learning

WHELF Strategic themes

… and closer to home

All Wales Health and Information Library Extension Service (AWHILES)

AWHILES conference 2012

Are we confident that we can train ourselves to meet future

needs?

Have we set our goals?Are our strategies helping us to achieve

our vision?If not, do we now know what to do about

it?

Where will your Olympics be?

References Ithaka S+R (2013) UK Survey of Academics. View at:

http://repository.jisc.ac.uk/5209/1/UK_Survey_of_Academics_2012_FINAL.pdf

OCLC (2012) UK Academic libraries: a snapshot of priorities & perspectives. View at: http://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/reports/uk-libraries/214758ukb-A-Member-Communication-Survey-Report-UK-academic.pdf

RLUK (2012) Hidden Collections. View at: http://www.rluk.ac.uk/content/rluk-hidden-collections-report

RLUK (2012) Reskilling for research. View at: http://www.rluk.ac.uk/content/re-skilling-research