(21 Aug 2020) The Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and EDUCAUSE published today a report on two invitational workshops with experts in learning and research applications of emerging technologies. The workshops, held this spring, focused on identifying likely futures for partnerships with libraries.
Future Themes and Forecasts for Research Libraries and Emerging Technologies, written by ARL visiting program officer Scout Calvert, synthesizes the work of the 27 workshop participants and presents key findings and post-workshop commentary. Calvert notes that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which loomed over the workshop discussions, “participants were largely, if guardedly, optimistic and determined.” She reports “research libraries are viewed as ready partners” in working with emerging technologies for learning and research because libraries “are already engaged in activities that pertain to information literacy, data, and technology use.” Workshop participants expect fiscal constraints will make cross-department and cross-institution collaboration even more attractive. Calvert concludes, “Current events largely amplify pressures and opportunities for research libraries to mindfully and collaboratively adopt and shape emerging technologies to advance the mission in support of learning and research.”
This work is part of a joint ARL-CNI-EDUCAUSE initiative to advance research libraries’ impact in a world shaped by emerging technologies. In March 2020, the initiative published Emerging Technologies for Research and Learning: Interviews with Experts. Throughout the spring and summer, the initiative has been releasing installments of Mapping the Current Landscape of Research Library Engagement with Emerging Technologies in Research and Learning, which will be published in its entirety in the coming months.
The original press release can be found here.
