Join the 'Libraries of the Future' debate at the Bodleian Library
When 2 April 2009Where Martin Wood Lecture Theatre, Bodleian Library, University of OxfordCost Free. Register online to attend in person or within Second Life A debate to raise the current issues facing librarians and data management professionals is being organised by Jisc, bringing together an international expert panel to speak at the University of Oxford’s iconic Bodleian Library on 2 April 2009.
In his blog, Professor Peter Murray-Rust, a speaker at this upcoming Libraries of the Future debate, expresses serious concern at the apathy he senses amongst university librarians in their failure to engage with the issues that will seriously affect them as we advance into the digital age.
In his pre-event discussions concerning this forthcoming debate, using avenues such as blog posts, Twitter and FriendFeed, Murray-Rust concludes: ‘I’m left with the overwhelming impression that the community is now past caring about the future of the library’.
A response to Murray-Rust’s blog, from a student of librarianship and potential ‘librarian of the future’ herself, thanks Peter ‘for shaking [her] out of a comfort zone which it’s so easy to fall into’.
Hosted by the Bodleian’s Librarian and Director Dr Sarah Thomas and Jisc executive secretary Dr Malcolm Read, the Bodleian debate will explore what the library is now, and what it potentially needs to become in order to support knowledge, innovation and society for the future.
The key challenges for consideration include
- The new skills that will be required for libraries to remain relevant and visible;
- Developing and promoting public, private and cross-institutional partnerships; and
- How to meet the increasingly diverse needs of the changing user base.
This event at the Bodleian – the University of Oxford’s main research library – will be accompanied by a rich and varied online presence. It will be live video streamed, blogged online and has a Twitter presence (tag #LOTF09), in order for its messages, themes and discussion to reach the widest possible audience. Podcasts and footage will be available for download after the event.
Event Tag
LOTF09
The international panel of speakers comprises
- Dr Sarah Thomas, Bodley's Librarian and Director, Oxford University Library Services
- Chris Batt OBE, Head of Chris Batt Consulting
- Peter Murray-Rust, Unilever Centre for Molecular Informatics, University of Cambridge
- Santiago de la Mora, European Partnerships Lead, Books - Google UK Ltd
- Robert Darnton, Harvard University Librarian
- Vincent Gillespie, J.R.R. Tolkien Professor of English Literature and Language
Register online to attend what promises to be a fascinating event at this world-renowned venue.
Those considering a trip to Oxford to attend this event may also be interested to know that it coincides with the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival, which will be staged in Oxford from 29 March until 5 April 2009.
Find links and feeds at the Libraries of the Future homepage.