Irish research libraries to boost access to collections and increase international collaboration
New strategy to make national online catalogue available in line with international standards
CONUL’s Strategy document ─ Ireland’s memory, Ireland’s discovery, 2016-19 was launched Tuesday evening, 22 November, on behalf of Minister for Education & Skills, Mr Richard Bruton, T.D. by Dr Mary Doyle, Deputy Secretary General at the Department.
Speeches were delivered by
- CONUL Chair, Siobhán Fitzpatrick, Librarian to the Royal Irish Academy who described the CONUL context and our mission for Irish research libraries. (text attached)
- Christopher Pressler, University Librarian, Dublin City University and Chair of the Strategic Implementation Group, charged with delivery of the strategy highlighted aspects of the strategy, particularly the objective of creating a union catalogue for the CONUL libraries; he thanked those who have contributed to the development of the strategy from the outset.
- Helen Shenton, Librarian and College Archivist, Trinity College Dublin, spoke about a range of international collaborations which have been successful and have delivered significant outcomes for their constituencies and the public, e.g. the WHELF (Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum) shared library management system; the UK Research Reserve; USA’s 2CUL Library Initiative re shared storage and collection management; our inter-university co-operative venture, IReL (Irish Research e-Library) which enables researchers in the sciences and humanities.
- Dr Mary Doyle launched the strategy and spoke about the invaluable work carried out by the research libraries in preserving our shared knowledge and heritage. CONUL’s member libraries are a prime example of what can be achieved through effective collaboration, collective thinking and the sharing of resources. They are at the centre of Ireland’s growth on a global level as a place of research, learning and teaching. Dr Doyle also referred to the learning cycle from the early stage, pre-schooler to the lifelong learner and the importance of envisioning their educational engagement holistically.
Prior to the launch of the CONUL Strategy 2016-19 at the Royal Irish Academy, the CONUL board met with Minister for Education & Skills, Mr Richard Bruton, T.D. at the National Library of Ireland.
Minister for Education & Skills, Mr Richard Bruton,T.D., with CONUL chair, Siobhán Fitzpatrick, and Christopher Pressler, Chair of the Strategic Implementation Group
Speech by CONUL Chair, Siobhán Fitzpatrick, Librarian to the Royal Irish Academy (download)