Association of Research Libraries (ARL)

The ARL/DLF E-Science Institute (ESI) will be a set of designed learning experiences that take small teams of individuals chosen by research libraries though a process that strengthens and advances their e-science support role. The experiences begin mid-year in 2011 with assignments each team will work on at their institution (coordinated through the program) and culminate in a capstone, face-to-face, 2.5-day event where the teams produce strategic agendas for e-science/e-research support for their institutions.

Sponsor and Supporter institutions from the membership of ARL and CLIR/DLF are funding design of the institute’s program of experiences (see the list of current sponsors). Teams from sponsoring institutions will form a first cohort of teams to engage in the institute experience. While teams do the local assignments simultaneously, each team will attend one of three offerings of the capstone event scheduled for late 2011 and early 2012 (to allow richer group interaction).

E-science is a large and complex topic that has developed over many years and touches every branch of science—both natural and social sciences. While the ARL E-Science Institute will not be an education or training forum on e-science in general, it will provide participants with a designed learning experience for developing a sound strategic approach to exploring and supporting e-science research within their organizations.

Goals for the Institute

To advance research libraries’ capacity to support e-science/e-research by:

• Promoting program development among ARL and CLIR/DLF members

• Enabling development of a community of professionals engaged in this work

• Fostering collaboration between member institutions and also ARL and CLIR/DLF

Outcomes for Institutions that Participate

• Development of a local strategic agenda for e-science support that is near term and action-oriented

• Exchange of community emerging practice

• Connection with a community of staff engaged in program planning and deployment

Institute Leadership

Design leadership

DeEtta Jones Young, DeEtta Jones and Associates
MacKenzie Smith, MIT

Institute Coordinators

Judy Ruttenberg, ARL
Prue Adler, ARL
Rachel Frick, CLIR/DLF