A Bold Future for Research Libraries: Vision, Changes and Enablers

LIBER, the Association of Research European Libraries, is offering a bold vision for the future of research libraries in its new strategy for the period 2018-2022. It foresees that by 2022 Open Access will be predominant form of scientific publishing. It also argues that research data will be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR). To meet the needs of FAIR data and Open Access, librarians will extend their digital skills into supporting open and transparent research life cycles. The research infrastructures across Europe will be participatory by facilitating the use of research outcomes by all citizens, in addition to contributions of non-academics to the digital body of knowledge. These outcomes and contributions will further be tailored and scaled to the needs of connecting better the digital content available for diverse disciplines and fields

Is this future universal for all research libraries? What is the importance of Open Access and FAIR data within the research libraries’ context? What are the implications of the new forms of communicating knowledge on the skills of library professionals and what are the implications on library managers? What could library associations do to enable the change?

This talk will present the main pillars of LIBER’s vision and will provide examples illustrating the transformation of research libraries. It will provide an international reference point in the weeks before the Third Forum of the Library and Information Association of Qatar (LIA-Q) under the theme “Libraries in Qatar: Working together towards the Country National Vision 2030”.

National Library of Qatar, Doha, Qatar, March 15, 2018

Transcript

1. A Bold Future for Research Libraries Vision, Changes and Enablers Giannis Tsakonas Acting Director, Library & Information Center, University of Patras, Greece LIBER Executive Board member National Library of Qatar, Doha, Qatar | March 15, 2018
2. About
 LIBER
3. LIBER is Europe’s largest research library network • Founded in 1971 and based in The Hague, NL. • 430+ libraries • University, national and special libraries
4. LIBER Team 13 Board Members 3 Special Advisors 10 Office Staff 140+ Volunteers Serving on Steering Committees & Working Groups
5. We want our libraries to support world-class research • Collaborative • Cross border • Cross discipline • Increasingly data intensive • Open
6. Previous Strategic Periods • 2013-2017:
 Reinventing the Library for the Future • 2010-2012:
 Making the Case for European Research Libraries
7. Vision the research landscape in 2022 • Open Access is the main form of publishing. • Research Data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR). • Digital Skills underpin a more open and transparent research life cycle. • Research Infrastructure is participatory, tailored and scaled to the needs of the diverse disciplines. • Tomorrow’s cultural heritage is built on today’s digital information.
8. • Should be universal for all research libraries. • Should be based on the importance of Open Access and FAIR data within the context of research lifecycle • Will have effects on the skills of library professionals and the researchers Future
9. The vision will be achieved by • thinking strategically • networking to transfer knowledge and bridge the gaps • training to empower the human assets of our libraries • advocating for the good causes we serve Actions Changes • Libraries as a Hub for digital skills and services • Libraries as a Platform for innovative scholarly communication • Libraries as Partners in research infrastructures
10. Strategy Implementation
11. Enablers Advocacy & Communication • Representing research libraries in national and international bodies • Working with the EC to include the issues of research libraries high in their agenda • Preparing factsheets and presenting our points to all related parties. • Participating in key events, central and regional ones, and communicating with key stakeholders.
12. Enablers International Projects • Participating in projects makes LIBER and our libraries more visible at a European and international level • Aligning projects with our Strategy.
13. Enablers Leadership & Skills Building (image by Clementine Baude, CC BY) • Fostering a new service development philosophy and embedding services in the research process • Diversifying digital skills of library staff members and researchers • Providing practical guidance on several fields for our members and our researchers.
14. Enablers Policy Development • Developing policies that aim to consolidate practice across our libraries. • Publishing and sharing best practices to help everyone working within the research library profession to foster these new ideas.
15. Enablers International Alignment and Coordination • Networking not only with research libraries across Europe, but also with library and policy organizations around the globe.
16. • A bold future is depended on strategic thinking and coordinated action, • requires awareness of change and transformation, • is guided by organizational values and principles. Conclusions
17. Thank you for your attention! Questions? Twitter @libereurope | Web www.libereurope.eu Twitter @gtsakonas