Talis Insight Europe 2017 - Backwards to the future - Jon Purcell, Durham University

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This document summarizes Jon Purcell's reflections from his 38 years of experience working in university libraries and library services. Some of his key concerns include adapting to doing more with less funding, the impact of teaching excellence frameworks, and ensuring the library remains central to student engagement, research, and cultural activities. However, he remains positive due to libraries' ability to change and form partnerships, and the high caliber of library staff who are well-positioned to continue delivering excellent services and reinventing their role on campus.

‘Backwards to the future’ or ‘Digital
transformation’ - some retirement
reflections
Presented by:
Jon Purcell. University Librarian
Date 27th
April 2017

∂
My favourite definition of a
University
A University is …
“a number of anonymous
buildings gathered around the
University Library”

∂
View of Durham Cathedral from Owengate

∂
View of Durham City from the train station

∂
Where I’m from?
• Durham University – England’s 3rd oldest University, est. 1830
• Russell Group, Research Intensive broad subject range University
• Best known as a Collegiate University (16 colleges), highest proportion of student
participation in sport, first UK university to have international campuses (Ghana and
Barbados in C19th, a ‘poor man’s Oxbridge’
• Currently responsible for the University Library (3 main sites) unique and distinctive
special collections, 3 Museum collections, University Art Collection, Open Access
publishing, Copyright, Cultural Engagement
• Career pathways have included 2 Local Authorities Libraries (8 years), 3 FE Colleges
(11 years) and 4 Universities (19 years) = 38 years!
• Still a member of CILIP (joined 1979) , active involvement in ARLG, RLUK Board
Member and Treasurer

∂
So, what keeps me awake at night?
• Doing more with less
• Impact of TEF
• Influencing up, down and across
• Digital futures
• The future of Librarianship (and the Library!)
• Adaptability (Survival of the Fittest
• Student Engagement
• Cultural Engagement
• Research Engagement
• Professional education and training
• Brexit

∂
Reflections on change
• Change is not as rapid as we sometimes think
• Adaptability and flexibility characterise our services
• RAE – Relevance / Alignment / Engagement
• Demonstrate value – KPIs, Metrics, Benchmarking
• Advocacy and PR – capitalise on success
• Partnerships – academic, Prof Services, Shared Services, Hubs
• Creativity – constant evolution, revolution, re-engineering
• Take risks – be brave!
• Champion engagement
• Take on difficult challenges (OA, RDM, IPR)
• Prove your indispensability - be a value rather than a cost!

∂
38 years on am I still positive?
Yes I am!
• Significant investment in Library buildings
• We are the information professionals
• We are a core academic service
• We actively support research, education and the student experience
• We are flexible, adaptable and embrace change
• We are adept at shared/collaborative/partnership working
• We are valued as a trusted, neutral, well managed service
• We have been doing ’customer care’ for decades
• I am impressed with the calibre of staff delivering excellent services
• As a former LIS External Examiner the profession is in good hands
• Based on these two days, I am even more positive!

∂
Concluding thought!
The best way
to predict the future
is to invent it

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Talis Insight Europe 2017 - Backwards to the future - Jon Purcell, Durham University

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