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Focus

View the latest edition of 'Focus'.

Focus newsletter SCONUL Focus brings together articles, reports and news stories from practitioners in order to generate debate and promote good practice.

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Latest news

Libraries: championing digital information on campus
A new SCONUL project is looking at the role university libraries play in developing digital literacy
18 January, 2012
Open access: impact for researchers, universities and society
SCONUL and RLUK have published a briefing by Alma Swan on the impact of open access which sets out the evidence on increased impact for researchers, greater profile for institutions and economic benefits for society.
11 January, 2012
Open access: impact for researchers, universities and society
SCONUL and RLUK have published a briefing by Alma Swan on the impact of open access which sets out the evidence on increased impact for researchers, greater profile for institutions and economic benefits for society.
11 January, 2012
SCONUL Autumn Conference 2011
Presentations from the SCONUL Autumn Conference held on 8 December are now available
9 December, 2011
National knowledge service
A UK-wide digital library for British higher education is in reach, says Ann Rossiter in the Times Higher Education, if we can sort the licensing out
4 November, 2011
SCONUL Welcomes Open Access Implementation Group Report
SCONUL has welcomed a report from the Open Access Implementation Group (OAIG) that demonstrates the benefits of open access publication for UK plc.
27 October, 2011
SCONUL calls for national digital library to improve student experience
SCONUL has called on the Government to provide development funding for a national digital library to improve access to content for students and academics. The call was included in SCONUL's response to the HE White Paper: 'Students at the Heart of the System'
23 September, 2011
9th Northumbria International Conference on Performance Measurement in Libraries and Information Services
SCONUL is offering a sponsored place at the forthcoming conference to be held 22-25 August at at the Universty of york
15 June, 2011
SCONUL annual conference 2011
Presentations from the conference are now available
9 June, 2011
SCONUL: Government Must Implement Measures in Hargreaves Review
SCONUL welcomes the Review's proposals for a simplified licensing market to free up innovative digital businesses. It also supports calls for exceptions to be made for archival copying and for measures to be introduced to free up "orphan works" copyright works whose author cannot be found.
19 May, 2011
A master class in library design: Space planning visit to Leicester
Some 66 SCONUL members took part in the visit to Leicester University's David Wilson Library yesterday. A report of the proceedings can be found by following the above link
15 April, 2011
SCONUL annual residential conference, Hilton Hotel, Cardiff, 8 to 10 June 2011
SCONUL's conference "Planning for the future" will feature keynote speakers discussing this theme, namely Dr Carole Tenopir, Professor of Information Sciences, University of Tennessee, Professor Stefan Gradmann, Professor for Library and Information Science, Humboldt University, Berlin, Nick Poole, Chief Executive, Collections Trust.
5 April, 2011
Evolving libraries, 14 April, University of Leicester
Following last years announcement of the winners of the Library Design Award, the SCONUL Working Group on Space is delighted to invite colleagues to participate in a seminar which will showcase the two winning libraries
4 April, 2011
SCONUL welcomes shared service in Electronic Resource Management
The Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) has today welcomed the announcement by HEFCE of a new investment to deliver a shared service in electronic resource management (ERM) . This forms part of a wider £12.5 million investment in shared services.
8 February, 2011
Library Design Awards show future of provision
The £32M David Wilson Library at Leicester University has won the prestigious SCONUL Library Design Award. Cardiff University has taken the honours in the 'smaller buildings' category.
2 December, 2010
Update on the SCONUL Shared Services Seminar, 22 November 2010
On 22 November, SCONUL held a meeting updating members on the progress of its work on shared services. This followed the JISC Collections AGM at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers at 1 Birdcage Walk, Westminster
25 November, 2010
Collaborative visit to Berlin, 7-8 April 2011
The study tour is no more; in its place, following discussions by the Executive Board and with German colleagues, we offer a collaborative visit to Berlin
23 November, 2010
SCONUL Executive Director challenges publishers to look at new business models
Ann Rossiter, gave a presentation today at the JISC Collections conference and AGM.
22 November, 2010
Research Management: Smoothing the Way, 27 January 2011 RIBA, London
Interested in developing a seamless research management system in your institution? Come to a free one-day conference to hear from librarians, research managers and funders about their expectations and experiences of integrated systems and how your professional bodies can help with the process.
11 November, 2010
SCONUL Shared Services event, 22 November 2010
SCONUL members may be interested to know that at 13.45hrs, following the JISC Collections AGM, there is going to be an update on the Shared Services work SCONUL is undertaking.
4 November, 2010
SCONUL buildings seminar: 3 December
Proving the case - are our libraries and learning spaces making a difference?
26 October, 2010
SCONUL Autumn Conference and Library Design Award Ceremony, 2 December
Conference bookings have now opened.
26 October, 2010
Changes in funding for higher education
David Willetts has provided further details of the timetable for changes in funding for HE in a speech to HEFCE today.
21 October, 2010
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.
12 October, 2010
Booking is now open for the sixth Future Leaders Programme
'Preparing for Service Leadership'
23 September, 2010
Trends in the finances of UK higher education libraries: 1999-2009
SCONUL and the Research Information Network (RIN) have published an important report examining trends in the finances of UK higher education libraries.
16 September, 2010
SCONUL Announces Appointment of Ann Rossiter as new Executive Director
The Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) is delighted to announce the appointment of Ann Rossiter as Executive Director from 13 September.
3 August, 2010
SCONUL to recruit new Executive Director
Toby Bainton, SCONUL's Secretary, retires in September 2010. In seeking a replacement for Toby, the Executive Board has decided to create a new role of Executive Director.
15 April, 2010
SCONUL annual residential conference, Queen's Hotel, Leeds, 16 to 18 June 2010
The conference "Organisational leadership in a time of change" will feature keynote speakers discussing these themes.
31 March, 2010
Challenges for academic libraries in difficult economic times
SCONUL contributed to a study by the Research Information Network on how academic librarians are experiencing and responding to financial cuts in the current economic climate. A new guide has published the findings
18 March, 2010
SCONUL influences UK's Digital Economy Bill
SCONUL has been lobbying members of the House of Lords, and working with our allies for press coverage, over the Digital Economy Bill. We are keen for its provisions for 'orphan works' to succeed. But its plans for tackling on-line copyright infringement need improvement.
8 February, 2010
A vision for the academic library and information services of the future
Exploring the challenges faced by higher education, libraries and information services to facilitate strategic planning
22 January, 2010
Full speed ahead for UKRR as membership doubles
The UK Research Reserve is pleased to welcome 14 new Higher Education Institutions as members, taking its final membership to 29.
13 January, 2010
SCONUL looks forward to 2010
SCONUL Secretary Toby Bainton looks forward to what 2010 may hold for higher education and national libraries.
21 December, 2009
SCONUL's refurbished office
The SCONUL office in London reopened on 18 November 2009 after being enlarged and refurbished. The new entrance is at 94 Euston Street, but we ask for mail to continue to be sent, until further notice, to our registered address, 102 Euston Street.
10 December, 2009
Interruptions to phone, fax and e-mail communication
The SCONUL office moves on Monday 16 November from temporary space to refurbished accommodation at 94 Euston Street London NW1 2HA.
13 November, 2009
SCONUL and JISC announce Partnership Agreement
Today, the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) and JISC have signed a three year partnership agreement to bring together the knowledge of UK library professionals with JISC's expertise in digital technologies.
23 October, 2009
'Library performance measurement in the UK and Ireland'
A new publication describes state of the art of performance measurement in SCONUL member libraries.
9 October, 2009
The effect of the recession on libraries and IT
A new report studies the impact of the economic recession on library and IT Services in UK higher education. Commissioned by SCONUL, JISC and UCISA and conducted by Ipsos MORI
7 October, 2009
SCONUL Conference and seminar 16 and 17 November, London
SCONUL's Autumn Conference will be held on 17 November and on 16 November SCONUL's Working Group on on SPace Planning will hold a seminar on quality space for staff
8 September, 2009
Office move - and office closure
Our office will be closed from 24 August, reopening on Tuesday 1 September. We are moving to temporary space while our office is refurbished and expanded. Our phone and fax numbers and e-mail and postal addresses remain unchanged throughout the two months of our relocation.
21 August, 2009
SCONUL calls for fair deal for university libraries over copyright law
SCONUL has called on the UK Government to adopt a similar approach to Ireland regarding copyright law. In a recent meeting with David Lammy MP, Minister of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, SCONUL Secretary Toby Bainton called on Government to implement a system which reduced the bureaucracy and inconsistency found in current UK copyright legislation.
4 August, 2009
UK Research Reserve (UKRR) - First members sign up
15 higher education institutions were accepted by the UKRR Selection Panel at its inaugural meeting. These first members include partners from the Phase 1 project and HEIs new to UKRR with a good spread of universities from across the UK.
15 July, 2009
UK Research Reserve - Phase 2 is now open for business.
The UK Research Reserve invites UK higher education libraries to join by completing the application form on their website - www.ukrr.ac.uk
22 June, 2009
SCONUL's successful Summer Conference
Last week SCONUL's Summer Conference convened at the Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth. Running from the 10-12 June, the conference explored a number of key themes running through the academic library community
19 June, 2009
Libraries of the Future debate
What is the library of the future? On 2 April distinguished speakers met in Oxford under the auspices of the Joint Information Systems Committee for a public debate: proceedings now available
8 April, 2009
Consultants appointed for major study of library systems
SCONUL has appointed a consortium to undertake a feasibility study of Library Management Systems and the related landscape
2 April, 2009
UK Research Reserve launched
The UK Research Reserve (UKRR) programme is now launched. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) announced in July that it would provide £9.84 million for a five year programme to build upon the success of Phase 1.
23 February, 2009
SCONUL announces study on Library Management Systems
After successfully bidding for funding from HEFCE (the Higher Education Funding Council for England), SCONUL is all set to launch a new feasibility study of Library Management Systems (LMS) in higher education libraries.
16 February, 2009
Designing Libraries
The new website for Designing Libraries (SCONUL is a partner) is now live
15 December, 2008
Towards the academic library of the future
Key national organisations in the library field are to collaborate on a major programme of consultation to help shape the future of the academic library
4 December, 2008
Library support for teaching: a survey of costs
A new briefing paper from SCONUL analyses some of the principal costs incurred by libraries in higher education, in their role in support of teaching.
12 November, 2008
What's in our in-trays? The SCONUL Top Concerns Survey 2008
Results from the fourth survey of SCONUL members' top concerns is now available
26 September, 2008
Transforming NHS Libraries in England
Health Strategy Group welcomes Review of NHS Libraries report in Open Letter to Peter Hill
23 July, 2008
Librarians share good practice in marketing
A new publication from SCONUL has emphasised the increasing importance of marketing skills to the future of academic libraries.
3 July, 2008
New chapter: annual conference highlights expanding library role
The SCONUL Annual Conference concluded on Friday 13 June after three days which showcased the increasing number of services being offered by academic libraries in the UK and Ireland.
16 June, 2008
New library design resource launched
Two professional bodies with expertise in library design have joined forces to create a unique gateway to key information on public, national and academic library buildings in the UK, Ireland and throughout the world
9 June, 2008
New library research to boost global appeal of UK and Irish HE
New guidelines have been published today to help higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland meet the challenge of international student recruitment.
21 May, 2008
Building the 21st century library - new report published
SCONUL and JISC look to establish 'strategic engagement' with LMS vendors
28 April, 2008
Future of the Academic Library explored in major Guardian Supplement
An eight-page special supplement is published in the Guardian newspaper today that examines the achievements of academic libraries in the UK, assesses current challenges and looks at how these might shape the future of our university libraries.
22 April, 2008
The work and operation of the Copyright Tribunal
A Parliamentary review of the UK's Copyright Tribunal may affect copyright management in higher education
20 March, 2008
Work starts here, for this year's crop of future library leaders
Next month sees the start of the third run of the popular Future Leaders Programme, the bespoke leadership development course for experienced professional managers working in Library, Information Services (IS) and Information Technology (IT) roles in Higher Education Institutions.
11 March, 2008
Copyright Ombudsman
SCONUL's idea for a 'Copyright Ombudsman' was discussed at a hearing of the UK Parliament's skills select committee today. Phil Willis MP, Chair of the Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee raised the idea as part of an inquiry into the work of the Copyright Tribunal and attributed SCONUL.
28 January, 2008
Chief Executive of the British Library honoured
SCONUL congratulates Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library, on her appointment in the New Year Honours as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
7 January, 2008
Bournemouth's Octagon takes top award at library design 'Oscars'
The £5.3m The Sir Michael Cobham Library at Bournemouth University has won the prestigious SCONUL Library Design Award. Girton College, Cambridge has taken the honours in the 'smaller buildings' category.
4 December, 2007
SCONUL and JISC look to the future of Library Management Systems
Today's electronic Library Management Systems do far more than speed the issue and return of books. SCONUL and JISC have launched a study of the strategic issues around future development.
13 November, 2007
University libraries welcome boost for higher education sector
SCONUL, the membership body for UK and Irish higher education and national libraries, this week welcomed the UK Government's new spending plans and advised universities that library provision must 'keep pace'
19 October, 2007
HAERVI helps widen options for students visiting higher education libraries
Press release
21 September, 2007
HAERVI project report published
The HAERVI project aims to improve access to electronic information resources for students and staff visiting other higher education institutions. Its report has just been published.
18 September, 2007
Annual statistics show libraries meeting the challenge
Annual statistics released today have shown the higher education library sector is moving to a 'clicks and mortar' approach, with increased use of online services expanding the reach of libraries beyond their buildings.
28 August, 2007
SCONUL Access scheme launched on 1 August 2007
96% participation rate amongst higher education institutions
1 August, 2007
University libraries prepare for student 2.0
Libraries must drive change within higher education institutions or risk losing touch with modern students - according to debate at one of the biggest ever conferences of academic library staff from across Britain and Ireland.
22 June, 2007
New guide to help disabled students secure 'truly accessible services'
A new guide aimed at libraries within higher education institutions is published today as part of a drive to ensure equality of access for disabled students across the UK and Ireland.
12 June, 2007
UK Research Reserve receives key support
The UK Research Reserve has received key support from the research and library community which will help to ensure fully representative, collaborative and co-ordinated development of the UKRR.
20 March, 2007
Research Information Network publishes statement on scholar communication
The statement identifies the strategic goals for public policy and is supported by SCONUL
23 February, 2007
SCONUL joins the library and archive professions' welcome to the Gowers Review
SCONUL endorses the Library and Archive Copyright Alliance's official welcome
8 December, 2006
Gowers review supported by UK Government
The UK Government's 'Gowers' Review of intellectual property was published on 6 December,
6 December, 2006
Online information conference
This year's Online Information Conference runs from 28 to 30 November 2006 at Olympia, London.
31 October, 2006
New Website Launched
SCONUL launches its new website
3 October, 2006
HAERVI Project
Project Manager appointed
1 October, 2006
SCONUL Autumn Conference, 28 November 2006
Programme Now Available
1 August, 2006
Access to e-resources in UK higher education libraries
Higher education Access to Electronic Resources in Visited Institutions
27 July, 2006
SCONUL annual review 2005
SCONUL's annual review of 2005 is now available
19 May, 2005