Join CILIP’s Embrace it, Design It, Build it: Information Professionals at the heart of Digital Transformation event (3+4 November) to find how your service can benefit from new technologies and ensure digital services meet the needs of you users now and into the future. Rob Green looks at what’s on offer and why it matters. Book now.

Getting to grips with Digital Transformation within library and information services can feel like a haphazard affair – especially considering the last 18 months. While digital has become a central tenet of many services, it has often been implanted as a reaction to the events and changes of living through a pandemic. However, as we now look to embed those changes and build a digital future that is fit for purpose beyond lockdowns and emergency legislation, there is a need to re-focus what technology can do for services and where information professionals sit within that continued service development.

There is no doubt that technology can be hugely transformative – a large number of people switched overnight from office based working to home working when the first lockdown struck. Changing how we interact with colleagues, service users and can bring both benefits and challenges to the workplace. Existing technologies have shouldered most of that change – Zoom and Teams both existed, but how many organisations really utilised them well?

For libraries and information services, different challenges have had to be overcome – how do you get information and resources into the hands of people when they need it? Simple enough when collections are digitised, but harder when organisation rely on physical resources. How do users access services or make requests if they are not in the same building? It’s clear that these problems existed before the pandemic, but there has been a shift in the numbers of staff and users that are primarily digital.

The next step

The implementation of AI systems, machine learning and automation are all on the horizon – many services have already adopted them in one form or another. However for those who haven’t yet looked at the possibilities, these technologies are on unquestionably on the horizon. It is crucial, therefore, that information professionals are part of the process for bringing these new technologies and services to users and customers.

As the world moves to a post-pandemic landscape there is a need to plan how digital transformation will be implemented, moving away from an IT problem and toward a solution for service users – with information professionals at the heart of developing digital services.

CILIP is hosting an online workshop to give library and information professionals an insight into successful digital transformation projects. Embrace it, Design It, Build it: Information Professionals at the heart of Digital Transformation takes place online on the mornings of 3 and 4 November. It features a range of library and information professionals who have led and developed digital strategies and projects within their organisations. They will share experiences, lessons learned and best practice helping to guide delegates on their own digital transformation journeys.

Opportunity

Technology is transforming every point in the supply-chain of knowledge and information – from content creation to research, selection to data analytics. These technologies depend entirely on the availability of high-quality, well-structured information, data and metadata to function.

There is a huge opportunity for information professionals to position themselves at the heart of this process, leading the way as organisations apply machine learning and automation, and as a trusted support to end users.

Rachel Kudlick, CILIP’s Event Manager says “Our aim is for delegates to leave the event with the confidence to take on these roles, be involved in the conversations around automation and machine learning within their organisations and recognise the skills that they can bring to the table.”

Speakers at the event are Kirsty Lingstadt, Director of Library, Archives and Learning Services, University of York; Janet Peden, University Librarian & Deputy Chief Digital and Information Officer, Ulster University; and Andrew Barker, Director of Library Services & Learning Development, Lancaster University; Ken Chad, Director/Owner, Ken Chad Consulting; Mark Hughes, Head of Libraries, Cardiff Metropolitan University; Marion Tessier, Development Officer - Events / Digital & Innovation, Kingston Libraries; Ciaran Talbot, Head of Digital Services, University of Manchester Library; and Kal Dhanda, Head of Knowledge & Library Services, Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Each of the speakers will bring their own experiences and expertise to the event, bringing insights into planning, creating and delivering digital services from an information professional’s perspective. The event will highlight challenges and look at how to best navigate and avoid potential issues. The event will include specific focus on different aspects of digital transforamtion, with topics covering:

• Developing future-proof strategies for emerging technology
• Positioning library and information professionals at the heart of the process
• The benefits and challenges of the digital transformation process
• Emerging and changing roles in the library and information sector
• Keeping pace with new developments
• Being the “human bridge” between developers and end users
• Expanding existing digital skills and confidence in this area

The programme features three talks over the two mornings, as well as keynotes and the chance for delegates to get involved.

Information Professionals at the heart of Orchestrating Change

Speakers Kisrty Lingstadt and Andrew Barker take us through their experiences as information professionals bringing about digital transformation projects within their organisation.

There will be a Q&A after each presentation followed by a panel discussion where delegates will be asked to contribute their own experiences and delve deeper into the topic.

Information Professionals at the heart of the procurement process

Ken Chad and Mark Hughes will each present case-studies and offer practical advice for the procurement of digital services for their organisations. There will be Q&A after each speaker, followed by a panel discussion and input from delegates.

Information Professionals as the "human bridge"

With a unique set of skills, information professionals can act as the human bridge between technology and the end user - whether the end user is a member of the public, or their colleagues from other departments. Presentations from Marion Tessier, Ciaran Talbot and Kal Dhanda will highlight the importance of having the freedom to experiment with technology and how it can be used for good. There will be Q&A after each speaker, followed by a panel discussion.