Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunitie: ARL Senior Leaders Panel

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Sian Brannon, University of North Texas Libraries
Abigail DiPaolo, Rutgers University Libraries
Shelly McCoy, University of Delaware Library
L. Angie Ohler, University of Minnesota Libraries
Laurie Taylor, University of Connecticut Library

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) consists of 120 leading research libraries and archives in North America. In this session, five senior leaders from ARL member libraries will share thoughts on their libraries’ major achievements, challenges, and opportunities.

Cultivating Library Leadership: Global Perspectives

Henian E, University Librarian, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo
L. Angie Ohler, University of Minnesota Libraries
Laurie Taylor, University of Connecticut Library
Shilei Yan, Deputy University Librarian, Macau University of Science and Technology

Today's academic libraries face many challenges. How to cultivate a new generation of library leaders who are capable of meeting these challenges? What are their critical characteristics and skills? Four library leaders will share their experience and thoughts. Shilei Yan recently completed 中国图书馆领导力高级研修班. Henian E graduated from Harvard University's Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians. L. Angie Ohler and Laurie Taylor both graduated from ARL's Leadership Fellows Program and for many years lead Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, a Division of the American Library Association. Angie and Laurie will also discuss book research-in-progress on library leadership, particularly during times of perpetual polycrisis.

Keynote: Redefine Academic Libraries: Digital Innovation at the Crossroad 

Dr. Le Yang, Associate Vice Provost & University Librarian, University of Oregon

The rise of digital technologies and AI threatens to marginalize academic librarianship within the scholarly ecosystem, necessitating its repositioning on campus and alignment with the strategic priorities of universities and academia at large. In this context, digital innovation emerges as a vital empowerment, involving initiatives in open science, AI applications, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These efforts contribute to the educational mission and academia in general, combating global complexities and fostering collaboration to address the worldwide sustainable development goals. The presentation explores the current practice and roadmap of digital innovation in academic libraries and envisions what could be expected and realized in the years to come.

Unconference Round 1: Breakout Sessions By Library Departments. 

For each session, we recommend no more than 2 participants from the same library.

1.Access & User Services. For library staff who provide users with book borrowing and returning, reading, reference consultation, and access services, typical businesses include reference consultation, circulation, reader services, etc. (Venue: SLAC 104)

2.Cultural Promotion & Events. For library staff who are responsible for the library's cultural construction, brand communication, and organization of events inside and outside the library, typical businesses include event planning, cultural construction, outreach, etc. (Venue: SLAC 104)

3.Teaching, Learning & Instructional Services. For library staff who support teaching activities and curriculum development in universities, typical businesses include instructional services, learning resource management, academic liaison, etc. (Venue: SLAC 103)

4.Research & Subject Services. For library staff who are responsible for providing support services to teachers and students' scientific research and academic activities, typical businesses include research services, subject services, professional consulting, etc. (Venue: SLAC 103)

5.Resource Development & Management. Available for library staff who are responsible for the planning, construction, evaluation and maintenance of library collection resources, typical businesses include acquisition, cataloging, metadata management, etc. (Venue: SLAC 201A)

6.Administration & Operations. For library staff who are responsible for coordinating various library operations, typical businesses include administrative, project management, business management, etc. (Venue: SLAC 201B)

7.Digital Learning & Media & IR. For library staff who are responsible for digital technology and multimedia support work, typical businesses include digital learning, media services, IR development and promotion, research-data archiving, open-access guidance, copyright advice, and long-term preservation of scholarly output, etc. (Venue: SLAC 504)

8.Information Technology & Systems. For library staff who provide information systems, networks and emerging technology support, typical businesses include network management, system management, software management, etc. (Venue: SLAC 504)

Each session should self-select a member to report back. Attendees interested in library service areas and topics not already covered in the above sessions may self-organize a session during Unconference 2.

Unconference Round 2: Breakout Sessions By Topic and Interest.
(Venue: SLAC 104)

All submitted topics, posters, and slides will be grouped and posted in the conference room before lunch for sign up. New topics and descriptions are also accepted on the spot. Each participant will be given a post-it to sign up for sessions of interest. Participants do not need to be experts of the topics selected, and are encouraged to actively contribute to the discussions and Q&A. There is no stupid question. Each session should self-select one person to report back. Breakout room to be determined.