Conference build-up 4

Collaboration in libraries and learning environments

Maxine Melling and Margaret Weaver will open conference proceedings on Friday 17th May with our keynote address for the day. They will draw on their experience and knowledge, including information gleaned whilst editing their recent Facet publication, to identify current trends in library services and what this means for library staff.

The changing environment in public services requires different approaches to be taken to how services are delivered to customers. This may result in the development of shared services, the convergence of many different services to provide a seamless customer facing experience, or the development of more active collaborative networks. Maxine Melling and Margaret Weaver have been closely involved in the changes associated with these developments. They have co-edited a book of essays, published by Facet, which offers an overview of the key challenges and opportunities arising as well as presenting some case study material. This paper will provide delegates with an analysis of current trends and some personal reflections on what this means for those responsible for those working in and leading library services during times of change.

About Maxine 

Maxine Melling is Pro Vice-Chancellor  (Operations) at the University of Gloucestershire. Her portfolio includes responsibility for strategic planning and administration as well as for Executive leadership of a wide range of the University’s professional services. Maxine began her career in academic libraries and has held management posts in further and higher education institutions. Before moving to the University of Gloucestershire she was Director of Library & Student Support Services at Liverpool John Moores University. During her career in libraries she held a range of responsibilities within the profession, including Chair of the SCONUL Working Group on Performance Measurement, membership of Sconul’s Executive Board,  Chair of the North West Academic Libraries Group and Chair of the Northern Collaboration Group. Maxine continues in her role as a Trustee of Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden. Maxine’s interests and publication record are in areas including customer service, e-learning support and quality systems. Most recently she has published on the trend towards the development of so-called super-converged services, which aim to present seamless support services to customers.

About Margaret 

Margaret Weaver is Head of Library and Student Services at the University of Cumbria. She started working in public libraries in Manchester before moving to the academic library profession in 1991. She has worked in a number of north-west universities - at Manchester Metropolitan University, Huddersfield University and University of Central Lancashire before taking up her current role at Cumbria. Whilst at Huddersfield Margaret was instrumental in a JISC funded project on the design of interactive learning materials to develop students’ information skills and founder of the Learning Gateway - a new concept in learning space - at her current institution, which has a wide influence on the designs of other libraries. Margaret has presented and written widely on the pedagogy of learning spaces, integrated learning support and super-converged services. She is chair of North West Academic Libraries (NoWAL) and a Trustee of the Kelsick Educational Foundation.

Collaboration in libraries and learning environments

Maxine and Margaret's book, Collaborating in libraries and learning environments, from Facet Press, was published in December 2012.  

The changing environment in higher education requires different approaches to be taken to the provision of professional support services. This may result in the development of outsourced shared services, the convergence of many different student-facing services or the development of more active collaborative networks. This collection of essays considers the changing context and broad principles affecting the ways in which we need to manage and provide services and offers case studies of changes that have already taken place.

For further information, including access to Chapter 1 online, please see the Facet web site.

Cover image courtesy of Facet Press.