First European MOOCs and libraries conference

This one day event hosted by the Open University Library in partnership with OCLC Research  and Jisc will focus on the challenges MOOCs pose to the traditional delivery of library services, and the opportunities they offer for libraries to rethink and revitalise their proposition.

Participants will be brought up to speed with the latest MOOC developments around the world, but with a particular emphasis on developments in the UK. Speakers will share their experience of or thoughts about the impact MOOCs are having on library services across many sectors, on publishers, and on the higher education landscape.

Speakers

Opening the conference:

• Prof Belinda Tynan, pro-vice-chancellor, learning and teaching, The Open University.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Merrilee Proffitt, senior program officer , OCLC Research
• Prof Hugh Davis, university director of education at the University of Southampton 
• Prof Charles Cockell, director of the UK Centre for Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh.

Objectives

The event builds on a highly successful workshop held in Philadelphia in March, sponsored by OCLC Research and the University of Pennsylvania at which the Open University was the only institution from outside North America.

• To raise awareness among librarians of the impact of MOOCs on their environment
• To share experience of libraries involved in MOOCs
• To discuss the strategic way forward for libraries in this changing landscape and develop a strategic roadmap.