1 A service provider’s perspective Challenges of delivery, development and sustainability in the changing information environment Lesly Huxley Research Director, ILRT

2 ILRT, estd.1996, University of Bristol Digital libraries Imaging eLearning Semantic Web Internet Developments 70+ staff (53 FTEs) £3m pa turnover University Support Postgrad teaching R&D Research Consultancy Services

3 Research & development Support Consultancy National Services c.90% external funding EU, ESRC, HEFCE, JISC, consultancy

8 Research & development Desire I & II; Renardus; Easel; FILTER; RDN case studies; X4L projects; RDN/LTSN interoperability; RGSS; Subject Portals Project; CROS …

9 Challenges (1) Delivery of services –Changing information environment Interoperability, accessibility, usability Keeping pace with new technologies –Keeping pace with user needs and pressures –Recruitment and retention –Funding models (subscription, license etc) –IPR and legal compliance

10 Challenges (2) Development of Services –Assessing demand/need –Is it in the plan? –In-service or separate project? –Funding (and conflicts) –IPR/licensing/commercialisation issues –Institutional perspectives Does it fit our portfolio? Do we have the skills?

11 Challenges (3) Sustaining services –JISC funding alone doesn’t cover costs –Sponsorship difficult to achieve, may cause conflicts, requires considerable effort –Joint funding has its own complexities –Institutional perceptions and drivers

12 Opportunities Thinking creatively Partnerships and collaboration Consultancy and advice Repurposing, re-use Promotion and presentation