A new year always offers an opportunity to reflect on the past and plan intentionally for the year to come. Lately, my mind has been on the art of gathering, thanks to this inspiring book by Priya Parker.
In looking forward and back, I recognize the value of connecting both in-person and virtually. Whether we gather in the same physical space or online, I always appreciate the unstructured moments where we check in with one another, sharing our current perspectives and pathways. Having the opportunities to learn from each other and experiencing the shared desire to care and connect creates positive energy.
The RLP team works to center the human connection in our programming and bring that flow of energy to our partner network.
Metadata Managers: new vision and energy
The power of community and connection was a theme in our January kickoff meetings of the Metadata Managers Focus Group. Senior Program Officer Richard Urban has actively stewarded this group, and its Planning Group, which is tasked with re-envisioning focus and activities, honoring the expertise and time commitment of all those involved. We’re excited to welcome these new members:
- Liz Bodian, Metadata Technologies Librarian at Brandeis University
- Susan Dahl, Director, Content Services at University of Calgary
- Chingmy Lam, Manager, Metadata Services at University of Sydney Library
- Chloe Misorski, Cataloging Librarian at Cleveland Museum of Art
- Helen Williams, Metadata Manager at LSE Library
Look for summaries coming soon from our January meetings, as well as announcements about upcoming focus group meetings, and related programming. See the most recent activities and full list of the Metadata Managers Planning Group.
SHARES delivers value
The SHARES Executive Group is another dynamic group in the OCLC RLP, lending expertise and strategic vision to our efforts. We are pleased to welcome four new SHARES Executive Group members:
- Marilyn Creswell, University of Michigan Law School
- Vicky Flood, University of Manchester
- Sylvie Larsen, University of Pennsylvania
- Kerry Kristine McElrone, Swarthmore College
Senior Program Officer Dennis Massie continues to energize the SHARES community with his weekly town halls (190 and counting). Recently, he engaged specifically with SHARES institutions in the UK and Ireland to gain insights into collection sharing challenges there and to discuss patterns, trends, and opportunities indicated by analysis of their FY23 ILL activity. The numbers demonstrate that each of these UK and Irish institutions draws significant value from SHARES participation, especially borrowing physical items; the numbers also reveal there are multiple viable approaches to utilizing SHARES for maximum benefit depending upon your situation.
It’s all about the data
In each of our areas of focus, we see the growing need to use data to better understand impact, recognize trends, and make better decisions. Earlier this month, we hosted a facilitated discussion on data-driven decision making in libraries, exploring how insights can support research information management, collection management, and the library’s value proposition to institutional stakeholders. This session was part of the OCLC and LIBER joint series, “Building for the future: Opportunities and responsibilities for state-of-the-art services.”
Our next facilitated discussion session will take place Wednesday, 17 April 2024, focusing on AI, machine learning, and data science, and you can join us.
RLP Leadership Roundtables
I’ve mentioned our exemplary Metadata Managers and SHARES groups, which offer a welcoming venue for connection and deep participation and the opportunity to influence RLP and OCLC Research programming. I’m excited to share that we’re launching new leadership roundtable discussions that will address challenges in the key areas of research support and special collections, particularly as they relate to the large ecosystem of changes we face today: staffing demographics, impact assessment, and collaboration opportunities.
The RLP draws from a unique, international mix of independent, academic, national, and museum libraries, and we know there is value in bringing our partners together to learn from each other. Senior Program Officers Rebecca Bryant (research support) and Chela Scott Weber (archives and special collections) moderate the discussions.
Benefits of participation
It’s a great privilege to meet with peers. Whether an event is virtual or in person, some of the most compelling moments occur during the more social, less structured times where we can reconnect individually with peers and colleagues and see the world from their unique perspectives. Learning about the wide variety of local challenges and opportunities that you face is essential for us to synthesize the common themes and recognize “scalable moments” where we can devote energy and attention to shed light on the current landscape.
Our leadership networks, workshops, and other virtual convenings that center person-to-person interaction and leverage our peer network are what make RLP programs so vibrant and enriching. In our busy world, it can be hard to extend beyond a familiar professional peer group. Let RLP help ease the process of expanding your organizational networks through a variety of programming and interest groups, each with different levels of time and attention investment.
Looking forward
The talented RLP team of program officers, along with the broader OCLC Research team, are eager to extend our work, hosting conversations—and gathering—learning as we go and growing as a community.
Thank you for your time and attention, but most of all, your continued support.
Rachel Frick directs OCLC’s work and engagement with the Research Library Partnership, a venue for research libraries to undertake significant, innovative, collective action to benefit libraries, scholars and researchers everywhere.
So much spectacular work! Congratulations to you all.
Thank you Jackie!