The world’s libraries. Connected. OCLC Research in Europe OCLC Research Library Partnership briefing Philadelphia, 6 June 2012 Titia van der Werf Senior Program Officer OCLC
The world’s libraries. Connected. Characteristics of the research landscape in Europe Analysis University Library landscape Analysis National Library landscape Strength/weakness OCLC Research in Europe Positioning OCLC Research in Europe Outline of a European Research Programme Content
The world’s libraries. Connected. Institutional level Fragmentation of expertise; little sustained cooperation Required expertise (IT-innovation) is expensive National level National funding agencies (JISC, DFG, SURF, etc.) Characteristics of the research landscape in Europe
The world’s libraries. Connected. European level: FP7 & Horizon 2020 Mobilize research expertise from universities and from commercial players Funding research only – growing gap between research and practical implementation Political agenda Much competition and temporary alliances Much overhead (project administration, PRINCE-2) Characteristics of the research landscape in Europe
The world’s libraries. Connected. In the research/education workflow –VRE/VLI Scientific output as one flow –CRIS, Inst.Repositories, research data archives Beter exploit special collections –Digitizing and “mainstreaming” unique materials Analysis Univ. Library landscape
The world’s libraries. Connected. National strategies and infra –National bibliography, authorities, legal deposit, –E-depot, web archiving, digital preservation –National digitisation programmes –Scalability and sustainability Cooperative structures at European level (TEL, OPF) Analysis Nat. Library landscape
The world’s libraries. Connected. Strength: –50 experts dedicated to innovation for the library community globally –Applied research, hands-on –Little overhead –No political/commercial agenda –Results are shared and in the open Weaknesses: –European partners in the minority, cultural/language differences –ORLP partnership weak on the continent; little awareness –Image problem (OCLC as vendor; strong association with metadata) –OCLC IPR regime with metadata needs clarification Strength/weakness OCLC Research in Europe
The world’s libraries. Connected. Develop a strategy ORLP: in Europe too few members => no impactful cooperation opportunities yet Choose for strategic cooperation with influencial consortia: TEL/Europeana, Open Planets Foundation (OPF) Make use of the networking strength of existing associations in Europe: LIBER Positioning OCLC Research in Europe
The world’s libraries. Connected. Develop a strategy Encourage European partners to participate in ongoing OCLC Research activities Develop a specific European Research Programme of strategic interest for the community in Europe Positioning OCLC Research in Europe
The world’s libraries. Connected. 3 collaboration areas: 1.with Europeana: Innovation pilots 2.with OPF: Preservation Health Check pilot 3.with national libraries: Develop strategies for the scalable and sustainable management of digital collections. Outline of a European Research Programme
The world’s libraries. Connected. Questions? Titia van der Werf