In August 2019 the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and EDUCAUSE announced a joint initiative to advance research libraries’ impact in a world shaped by emerging technologies. If there was ever a time to broadly share what we know in order for our community to determine the best approaches to advancing research and learning, this is it. Note that this material was prepared prior to February 2020; in some cases our institutions have since leapt into the future the reports survey.
Today we are publishing two reports based on our work so far. The first is an executive summary of secondary resources and discussions with research library leaders on their organizations’ adoption of emerging technologies. The second is a summary of interviews held with experts in research and academic technologies from several allied sectors: associations, businesses, academia, and the nonprofit research sector.
In the coming weeks we will publish a series of more detailed reports by Sarah Lippincott on research libraries’ engagement with specific emerging technologies; these are outlined in the executive summary we are issuing today. In early April we will conclude the second of two invitational virtual workshops with experts in learning and research applications of emerging technologies. A report covering the workshop discussions, which are focused on identifying achievable and desirable opportunities for research libraries, will be shared in May.
On behalf of ARL, CNI, and EDUCAUSE,
Mary Lee Kennedy, Executive Director, ARL
Clifford Lynch, Executive Director, CNI
John O’Brien, President and CEO, EDUCAUSE
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 124 research libraries in Canada and the US whose mission is to advance research, learning, and scholarly communication. The Association fosters the open exchange of ideas and expertise, promotes equity and diversity, and pursues advocacy and public policy efforts that reflect the values of the library, scholarly, and higher education communities. ARL forges partnerships and catalyzes the collective efforts of research libraries to enable knowledge creation and to achieve enduring and barrier-free access to information. ARL is on the web at ARL.org.
About the Coalition for Networked Information
The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) is a joint program of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and EDUCAUSE that promotes the use of information technology to advance scholarship and education. Some 240 organizations representing higher education, publishing, information technology, scholarly and professional organizations, foundations, and libraries and library organizations, make up CNI’s members. Learn more at www.cni.org.
About EDUCAUSE
EDUCAUSE is a community of IT leaders and professionals working together to tackle challenges and leverage opportunities that are constantly evolving within higher education. EDUCAUSE welcomes diversity, in viewpoints and experience, and believes in the transformative power of uncommon thinking for the common good. Visit www.educause.edu.
