Limbering up for the future: are librarians fit for purpose? Janet Peters, Director of Libraries and University Librarian Cardiff 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 adjust  Be 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,

Other strands much more practical  Working collectively to represent sector  Identifying good practice  Offering 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: mics_2012_FINAL.pdf mics_2012_FINAL.pdf  OCLC (2012) UK Academic libraries: a snapshot of priorities & perspectives. View at: libraries/214758ukb-A-Member-Communication-Survey- Report-UK-academic.pdf libraries/214758ukb-A-Member-Communication-Survey- Report-UK-academic.pdf  RLUK (2012) Hidden Collections. View at: report report  RLUK (2012) Reskilling for research. View at: