For immediate release:
June 10, 2009
For more information, contact:
Karla Hahn
Association of Research Libraries
202-296-2296
karla@arl.org
Washington DC—The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is hosting a Web conference on “Transformative Issues for Special Collections in ARL Libraries,” July 7, 2009, 1:00–2:00 p.m. EDT.
This event offers an interactive opportunity to discuss and provide feedback on the recently released report of ARL’s Special Collections Working Group, “Special Collections in ARL Libraries: A Discussion Report from the ARL Working Group on Special Collections.” Alice Prochaska, chair of the working group, will moderate a short discussion by an expert panel drawn from leaders in the special collections community. Panelists will provide analysis of issues presented in the report as well as other provocative insights about critical issues relevant to the management and use of special collections in research, teaching, and learning. Participants will have the opportunity to ask the panelists questions and offer their own feedback. The discussion will inform planning for a forum ARL will hold along with the Coalition for Networked Information in Washington DC, October 15–16, 2009.
The Web conference is intended to interest research library staff and administrators with responsibility for managing and providing access to unique collections in all formats. The event will be appropriate for group participation and institutions may want to organize post-event discussions among interested staff.
The Web conference is free, but advance registration is required. To register individuals or groups, visit http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=59581.
The full text of the original report of the ARL Special Collections Working Group is freely available at http://www.arl.org/bm~doc/scwg-report.pdf.
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 123 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, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.