The OCLC RLP Special Collections and Archives Work Agenda Chela Scott Weber, Senior Program Officer, OCLC Research Research Libraries Section Meeting, 15 August 2018 2018 Society of American Archivists Conference

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a unique transnational The Research Library Partnership is a program of the Research Division of OCLC, and provides a unique transnational collaborative network of peers to address common issues as well as the opportunity to engage directly with OCLC Research

Archives, Special, and Distinctive Collections OCLC Research has a long history of work in the area of archives, special, and distinctive collections in research libraries. We work in special collections because they are an important sight of knowledge creation, made possible by library’s commitment to the stewardship of their distinctive collections. The unique nature of material in special collections can make scaling a challenge, and we work to identify areas of common need and patterns of innovation to help libraries scale learning and expertise with these collections.

  oc.lc/rlp-agenda In October, we released the Research & Learning Agenda for Archives, Special, and Distinctive Collections. The agenda was created via a participatory and iterative process, involving feedback and participation from colleagues across the RLP. (advisory board, 18 interviews, 2 workshops sharing and gathering feedback on early drafts, open call for public comment on a final draft) It discern and articulates the shared challenges and opportunities research libraries are are facing in this sphere, and suggests approaches for working on them together. The agenda will guide OCLC Research work in this area in the future, and we hope it will also serve to frame larger conversations and spur action across the field The agenda called out seven major areas for investigation: Convergence of Special Collections and the Research Library Advocating for Archives and Special Collections Next Steps for Born Digital Addressing Audiovisual Collections Evolving Systems Environments Stewardship Responsibility and Collection Management Engaging the Challenge of Diversifying Collections

Iterative, Participatory Process Advisory Board Discussions with Colleagues, April-May 2017 Workshop early draft at RBMS, June 2017 Workshop later stage draft at SAA, July 2017 Open Community Comment, August 2017

Areas of Investigation Convergence of Special Collections & the Research Library

Areas of Investigation Advocating for Archives & Special Collections

Areas of Investigation Next Steps for Born-Digital

Areas of Investigation Addressing Audio-Visual Collections

Areas of Investigation Evolving Systems Environments

Areas of Investigation Stewardship Responsibilities & Collections Management

Areas of Investigation Engaging the Challenges of Diversifying Our Collections

Overarching Themes Structural and Organizational Positioning Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Appraisal Access to Collections Data and Systems

Next Steps Discussions with International Colleagues Encourage Action From and Collaboration with Allied Organizations and Individuals Highlight Forward Thinking Work related to the Areas of Investigation OCLC Research Library Partnership Action

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QUESTIONS? IDEAS? LET’S TALK! weberc@oclc.org @partly_cloudy oc.lc/rlp-agenda