Future-ready libraries

09.00

Networking breakfast

09.00

Registration

10.00

Welcome from SCONUL Co-chairs

10.10

Keynote: Hear from Professor Susan Orr, Chair of the OfS review of blended learning on the shape of learning and teaching post-Covid

11.00

Coffee break

11.30

Parallel sessions:

(a) Artificial intelligence.  What do libraries need to know about AI, its potential impacts on, and solutions for, their libraries and developing uses across their institutions.  SCONUL and Jisc have been developing a project to explore these questions and this inaugural workshop will provide an opportunity to define and shape the project.
Led by Andy McGregor, Director of edtech at Jisc; Paul Bailey, Head of co-design at Jisc; and Sue Attewell, Head of edtech at Jisc.

(b) Beyond transitional agreements. This workshop will explore on the shape of content provision post transitional agreements across the range of teaching and learning and research materials, including open access and subscription models. We will look beyond a three year planning horizon, with a particular focus on budget and resource planning. Led by Director of Student and Library Services at Anglia Ruskin University; Liam Earney, Managing director of higher education and research at Jisc; and Caren Milloy, Director of licensing at Jisc.

(c) Collaboration on collections.  Developments in library technologies such as RapidILL and Jisc's Library Hub, the growth of open access in the UK and controlled digital lending are all enablers to greater collaboration across the sector on collections.  This workshop will explore the opportunities and drivers for greater collaboration.  Led by Jane Saunders, Associate Director: Content & Discovery, University of Leeds and Nick Woolley, Director of Library and Campus Services at Sheffield Hallam University.

12.30

Lunch

13.30

Community learning workshops

These sessions will be open, community-led discussions which will provide an opportunity for participants to share experiences, practice and questions based on the learning circle principles of non-hierarchical, open sharing of experience to improve practice.

A.  The sustainable library

75% of UUK member institutions have now committed to net zero targets and libraries are actively exploring how their own practices can be adapted to help address the climate crisis, including addressing challenges such as legacy buildings. Members are invited to come together to discuss the actions and approaches they are taking to deliver and to consider scope for shared and collaborative action.

B. Rethinking recruitment in an age of scarcity

The library community faces twin challenges for its recruitment: how do we attract a more diverse workforce which better reflects the communities we serve, and in an age of scarcity where recruitment is challenging across HE generally, how can we attract, recruit and retain a workforce with the skills we need? Members are invited to come together to share their experiences, to discuss what steps they have taken to try and meet these challenges (successful or otherwise) and to consider what scope there is for action as a community to support each other and to make a difference.

C.  Virtual and physical library spaces post pandemic

As the pandemic recedes and we reach clearer water on institutional approaches to blended learning and teaching and more clarity on student behaviours post pandemic, how might these changes shape library spaces and services? Members are invited to share their learning and practice on developing integrated physical and virtual library spaces, and meet the needs of users.  

14.30

Coffee

14.50

Community of Interest group sessions

Delivering blended learning CIG: "Putting the Pedagogy in Blended Learning"
In light of the emphasis on pedagogy as a rationale for blended learning this session will reflect on what this means in practice and discuss what good, blended learning might look like. There will be opportunity for audience questions and discussion.
Speakers: Katie Piatt, Head of Education Enhancement at the University of Sussex and Co-Chair of the Playful Learning Association, Mark Andrews, Pedagogical Evangelist for Higher Education at Adobe.
 

Embracing disruption CIG: Exploring new technologies and innovative uses of existing technologies
Chatbots and AI in HE: Neil Dixon, Learning Technologist (Anglia Ruskin University) and Dr. Andrew Cox, Senior Lecturer (University of Sheffield)
Disruptive innovation: being active in areas that are not traditionally seen as library business: Thomas Shaw, Associate Director Digital Innovation and Open Research (University of Lancaster)
Implementing a new Library Services Platform as a springboard to innovation: Dr Jonathan Chipp, Head of Collections Acquisitions and Discovery and Michael Whitton, Library Technologies Manager (University of Southampton) 

15.30

Keynote: Facing the Staff Recruitment and Retention Challenges in 2023
Margaret Ayers, Vice-Chair, Universities Human Resources

16.15

Wrap up

16.30

Close and departure