The document outlines a workshop on navigating technological challenges for librarians held at the ILI 2015 conference in London, led by Brian Kelly and Tony Hirst. It aims to help participants understand emerging technologies, their implications, and how to respond strategically within organizations. The workshop includes collaborative activities and discussions to prioritize and detect future technological developments.

1. Preparing for the Future: Technological
Challenges and Beyond
Workshop at ILI 2015 conference, London on 19 October 2015
Brian Kelly
Independent researcher/consultant at
UK Web Focus Ltd.
Tony Hirst
Senior lecturer at The Open University
Contact Details
Brian Kelly Tony Hirst
Email: ukwebfocus@gmail.com Email: tony.hirst@gmail.com
Twitter: @briankelly Twitter: @psychemedia
Blog: http://ukwebfocus.com/ Blog: http://blog.ouseful.info/
Slides and further information available at
http://ukwebfocus.com/events/ili-2015-preparing-for-the-future/
UK Web Focus Event hashtag: #ili2015fut

2. A: Introduction
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3. A: Introduction
About This Workshop
Abstract
Despite the uncertainties faced by librarians and information
professionals, technology continues to develop at breakneck speed
offering many new opportunities for the sector. At the same time,
technological developments can be distracting and may result in
wasted time and effort.
This workshop will help participants identify potentially relevant
technological developments by learning about and making use of
processes for spotting and prioritising signals which may indicate
early use of technologies of future importance.
Having identified potentially important technological developments,
organisations then need to decide how to respond. What will be the
impact on existing technologies? What are the strategic implications
and what are the implications for staff within the organisation?
This interactive workshop will provide opportunities to address the
challenges in understanding the implications of technological
developments and making appropriate organisational interventions.
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4. A: Introduction
In Brief
Aims of the workshop are to:
• Learn about new technological / technology-related
developments
• Understand how the wider environment may affect
the take-up of new technologies
• Understand the limitations of predicting
methodologies
• Make use of methodologies for detecting future
developments
• Provide resources which can be used in your own
institution
• Engage in discussions with others
• Have fun! 4

5. A: Introduction
About The Facilitators
Brian Kelly:
• Worked at:
 UKOLN, University of Bath from 1996-2013
 Cetis, University of Bolton from 2013-2015
• Web adviser to HE & cultural heritage sectors
• Since 2000 attended all ILI conferences, except
ILI 2008
• Now independent consultant
Tony Hirst:
• Data wrangler
• Works at Open University
• Data Storyteller at the School of Data
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6. A: Introduction
About You
In small groups:
• Introduce yourselves: your name, where you work
and what you do.
• Say what made you decide to sign up for this
workshop and what you hope to gain from it.
Feel free to include both specific and general areas of
interest
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GE
16 participants have booked from UK, Switzerland,
Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Singapore and Kuwait

7. A: Introduction
Draft Timetable
Subject to change!
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Time Title
10.00 A: Introduction
10.15 B1: Exploring Emerging Technologies & Technology-related Areas
10.30 B2: What Is The Library?
C: Future Technology Detecting Tools & Techniques
11.20 Coffee
11.40 D: Using the NMC Delphi Methodology
12.30 Lunch
14.00 E: Scenario Planning
14:30 F1: Making the Case
15.30 Coffee
16.00 F2: Report back
16.45 G: Review and Conclusions
17.00 Finish

8. A: Introduction
Workshop Format
Features of the workshop:
• Participative
• Questions and discussion welcomed
• Welcoming of alternative views
• Open (feel free to take photos, tweet, ….)
• Appreciative of limitations of openness (feel
free to state if comments are ‘off the record’)
• Reusing slides and approaches in your own
institution encouraged!
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Links to slides available from
http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/events/#2015-10-19

9. A: Introduction
Questions?
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