For immediate release:
June 24, 2010

For more information, contact:
Karla Strieb
Association of Research Libraries
202-296-2296
karla@arl.org

Registration Now Available for Free Webcast on Scenario Planning for Research Libraries

Washington DC—The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is hosting a webcast on “Envisioning the Future of Research Libraries: ARL’s Scenario Development Project” on July 19, 2010, from 1:00–2:00 PM EDT.

Research libraries are constantly thinking about and planning for the future. ARL is working to support and advance these activities by developing a new toolset for libraries through its project, “Envisioning Research Library Futures: A Scenario Thinking Project.” This webcast will introduce the concept of scenario planning and highlight how it compares to and complements other prediction-oriented tools for planning, such as forecasting or trend analysis.

Through the project, ARL will be developing and releasing four contrasting scenarios that describe possible futures for research libraries in 2030. The scenarios will be released in the fall with a toolkit to support research libraries in integrating long-term scenario-based strategies into their planning practices.

During the webcast, ARL’s project consultant, Susan Stickley of Stratus Inc., will provide background information on scenario planning approaches, and an update on the ARL project will be included. The webcast will allow time for audience questions and will be suitable for either individual or group viewing.

Audience

The webcast is intended to interest staff and administrators involved with research library planning as well as others interested in the long term future environment for research libraries. The presentation will be appropriate for group viewing and institutions may want to organize post-webcast discussions among interested staff.

Registration

The webcast is free, but advance registration is required. To register for individual or group viewing of the webcast, please visit http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=70119 from the computer you plan to use to view the event.

Further information

For more information on the project, as well as background materials on scenario planning, please visit: http://www.arl.org/rtl/plan/scenarios/index.shtml

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 125 research libraries in North America. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, facilitating the emergence of new roles for research libraries, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.