1. 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

2. Thank you for coming.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. Areas of Investigation
Convergence of Special Collections
& the Research Library

8. Areas of Investigation
Advocating for
Archives & Special Collections

9. Areas of Investigation
Next Steps for Born-Digital

10. Areas of Investigation
Addressing Audio-Visual Collections

11. Areas of Investigation
Evolving Systems Environments

12. Areas of Investigation
Stewardship Responsibilities
& Collections Management

13. Areas of Investigation
Engaging the Challenges
of Diversifying Our Collections

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

15. 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

16. Thank you for attending today’s presentation.

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