UKSG One-Day Conference: London

ReRethinking collections:
approaches, business models, experiences

Users now cast their ‘discovery net’ beyond conventional notions of a library collection, and the wider digital transition is causing all parties to reassess how they acquire and provide content.  How are libraries, publishers and intermediaries meeting the challenge?  How will these changes contribute to an improved researcher/student experience? 

This one-day UKSG conference will look at how different parties in the scholarly information chain are addressing changing concepts of the collection, whilst helping to inform approaches and suggesting ways forward.

To view the recorded presentations please click here.

Programme

09.45  Registration and coffee

10.15  Welcome and introduction by the Chair 
Ken Chad, Director, Ken Chad Consulting

10.30  The consortial collection: Lessons from SHEDL’s approach to collection development  
Richard Parsons, Director of the Library and Learning Centre (University Librarian),
University of Dundee

Abstract:  As a business development SHEDL has benefited from a clear vision, goals and objectives.  As a collaborative activity successful development is built on an interesting collection of values.  The partners must share the vision, engage in the construction and work together to overcome the challenges.  There are challenges, but an ethos of trust, fairness and shared success can win through.  We will look at the pragmatics of collection expansion and renewal, as well our recent attempts to judge the value of alternative approaches to procuring eBooks.

11.00  The library-facilitated collection: Variety is the spice of life – the challenges of managing collections shaped by user choice and publisher bundling  
Jill Taylor-Roe, Head of Planning & Resources and Deputy Librarian,
Newcastle University

Abstract:  After years of growing our journal collections via the big deal, where the subscribed content is determined by publishers, we are now seeing a new approach, patron-driven acquisition, rapidly gain in favour.  Can the two approaches ever be reconciled?  Are we compromising the integrity of future research collections by letting our users determine what we purchase?  Is the role of the librarian being terminally eroded?  Or can we successfully blend these and other strategies in the service of our core users?  This paper will consider the many challenges facing collection managers in academic libraries and suggest how they can be successfully negotiated.  
 
11.30  Coffee 

12.00  Adding value to the collection in a world of free information: How do publishers producing paid-for content compete with free in the online reference world?  
Robert Faber, Editorial Director, Reference / Director, Discoverability Programme,
Oxford University Press

Abstract:  Starting with the digitisation of the Oxford English Dictionary in the 1980s, reference works have played a key part in the digital transition of OUP’s publishing, and since 2000 have continued to thrive alongside the growing mass of free information on the web.  This talk uses case studies including Oxford Reference and the Oxford Index to discuss how readers use reference resources; the channels from free to deeper content in library collections; changes in approaches to discovery and collaboration; and the new place of general reference in the digital ecosystems of search and research.

12.30  The data-driven collection: Evidence-based collection development – how to use Big Data to optimise your collection
Maxim van Gisbergen, Manager, Business Development, Swets

Abstract:  Increasingly, data becomes available on the impact and use of scholarly content.  What are the trending topics?  What publications do researchers save, share, cite and annotate?  What information needs can be deduced from this data?  To what extent is your collection currently covering these needs?  What options do you have to fill any eventual gaps in your collection?  Or, vice versa, how can you cut costs while avoiding ‘new’ gaps?  Subscription agents have an opportunity to gather and combine disparate data sets and provide libraries and publishers with intuitive analytics – specifically, analytics that deliver actionable insights on how to optimise the match between the collection and the continuously evolving user needs.

13.00  Lunch

14.00  The portable collection: Tablets, mobile technology and e-textbooks – the last frontiers of electronic information  
Aviva Weinstein, Senior Associate / Director, European Business Development,
Maverick Publishing Specialists Ltd

Abstract:  Devices such as the iPad are having a potentially big impact on business models and how a library thinks about its collection.  For example, Pearson is working with Apple on enhanced textbooks, new UK market e-textbook entrants such as Flooved, Reference Tree and, of course, CourseSmart UK are already in operation, and more and more publishers are developing their own offerings.  How will the proliferation of ‘next generation’ hand-held devices amongst students and researchers affect what the library offers – and how?  Will the ‘library’ (for some undergrads at some universities) simply be what is on their iPad – perhaps irrespective of its source?  Are e-textbooks the last frontier to libraries fully establishing a move to e-collections and how will the rise in online learning affect collection as pedagogy and content merge into new kinds of learning resources?  And, lastly, what might we learn from developments in other countries around the world?

14.30  The discovered collection: The impact of discovery services on the usage and exploitation of collections  
Andrew Barker, Head of Library Academic Services, University of East Anglia

Abstract:  The last few years have seen a huge growth in the implementation of resource discovery tools such as Primo, Summon and EBSCO’s Discovery Service.  It might not be coincidental that at the same time there has been a greater emphasis placed within university libraries on ensuring that they leverage the greatest value from their collections.  This session will take a user-focused approach to attempt to answer gnarly questions facing us such as: What is the point of resource discovery tools?  Why are academic libraries going down this route?  What do our users actually want?  And, finally, but perhaps most importantly, are these services actually fully exploiting our collections?

15.00  Tea    
 
15.30  Panel session and questions
Chaired by Ken Chad, Director, Ken Chad Consulting

16.30  Wrap-up followed by drinks reception

17.30  Close 

Fee 

UKSG members:  £175.00 + £35.00 VAT [20%] (total £210.00) 
Non-members:  £225.00 + £45.00 VAT [20%] (total £270.00)

The fee includes refreshments, lunch and the drinks reception.

Venue

76 Portland Place (Rutherford Theatre)
London
W1B 1NT

Tel.:  +44 (0)20 7470 4884 (Reception)

What they said about November 2011

“Excellent value for money, relevant, innovative and enjoyable.”
“Excellent programme, very well organised, good food.”
“This was well organised, on time and a relevant topic.  Good value for money.”
“UKSG organises some of the most relevant and stimulating events in the sector.”

How to book

Booking has now closed for this conference.  For further information please contact Karen Sadler at UKSG by e-mail or by phone: +44 (0)1865 310834

Venue location details will be sent with confirmation of booking.

Cancellations

By Wednesday 7 November 2012 – full refund
From Thursday 8 November 2012 – no refund

NB:  UKSG reserves the right to alter or vary the programme due to events or circumstances beyond its reasonable control without being obliged to refund monies.