After careful consideration, we have decided to cancel the OCLC Library Futures Conference (EMEARC 2020), which was scheduled to take place on 2-5 March in Vienna, Austria. Our primary goal is to help ensure the safety and health of conference participants and staff.
The escalation of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Asia and Europe has resulted in a situation that is changing rapidly and difficult to predict from day to day. Several speakers and attendees have advised us this week that they have been forced to cancel their plans to attend or are restricted from traveling. After careful analysis of the news, updates, and data provided by agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), we have decided that the best course of action is to cancel the event.
We take our duty of care to members, speakers, and staff very seriously. With participants scheduled from 27 countries, we believe the decision to cancel is advisable and prudent. We also know that libraries and librarians are essential to preparedness as governments, universities, schools, and communities grapple with this serious health threat. We will be assessing library roles in the coming days and will share pertinent information accordingly.
OCLC will proactively reimburse conference registration fees for registered participants.
We sincerely hope to see you at an OCLC event soon and wish you all safety and health.
This year, we are running two satellite meetings—one prior to the main Library Futures Conference and one after. Please note if you would like to attend one or both meetings free of charge, make sure you check the box on your registration form.
For more information, please see the details below.
Monday 2 March 2020 (13:00 – 17:00) at the Intercontinental Hotel, Vienna.
The OCLC Research Library Partnership invites you to join us for a pre-conference where we will explore how libraries are responding to the seismic changes underway and the increasing role of the library in managing the research and other outputs of the university.
Thursday 5 March 2020 (09:00 – 18:00) at the Intercontinental Hotel, Vienna
As in previous years, this free meeting will bring together members and OCLC staff from across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions to meet in person, share insights, learn from others, and discuss and plan community activities.
Digital environments are reshaping the nature of library collections and services in research libraries, and libraries need tools in order to be effective “community catalysts” and to adapt to the audiences they serve.
In this event hosted by the OCLC Research Library Partnership, we will explore how libraries are responding to the seismic changes underway. We will look at the increasing role of the library in managing the research and other outputs of the university (the inside-out collection, exemplified in repositories, RIM systems, deep interactions with open content, and distinctive collections). Additionally, we will explore how the library is facilitating access to a broader range of local, external, and collaborative resources organized around user needs (the facilitated collection).
Join us for an interactive afternoon where we will use these concepts to share and discuss how institutions are responding to these challenges.
Attendees will....
The third annual WMS Community Day, EMEA, is taking place on Thursday 5 March 2020, the day after the Library Futures Conference, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Vienna.
As in previous years, this free meeting will bring together members and OCLC staff from across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions to meet in person, share insights, learn from others, and discuss and plan community activities.
It is exclusively aimed at libraries using or implementing WMS. Please see below for the agenda. If you are interested in taking part in this meeting, then don’t forget to check the box on your registration form. Or drop us an email if you are not planning to attend the Library Futures Conference, but do want to register for the WMS Community Day only.
The EMEA WMS community is growing steadily. Come to Vienna, meet your peers, become a part of it!
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Reception: Coffee / tea |
| 9:00 – 10:30 |
Welcome, Introduction to the day Community Day Planning Team Product Update Maximilien Sangoi, OCLC WMS Community Management Anna Jones, OCLC |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Break |
| 11:00 – 12:00 |
Member Story: Enhancing Document Fulfillment with WorldCat Discovery and WMS Petra Otten, Wageningen University & Research Library Member Story: All Out, Cloud planning for the 21st century library Thomas Hodge, American University of Sharjah |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch / Group Photo |
| 13:00 – 14:30 |
Impressions from the recently held Global WMS Community Meeting Participating community members Regional Updates User Group Chairs et al |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Break |
| 15:00 – 17:15 |
WorldCafé (Small Group Discussions) Several rounds of structured conversations focusing on current practices, future changes and opportunities for libraries. Topics will be tied to WMS workflows and organized around the four themes of the Library Futures 2020 conference: “Exceed user expectations”, “Create measurable impact”, “Lead with technology” and “Build powerful networks”. Each participant will be allowed to explore two or more different topics of interest. The final harvesting session will collect all insights and allow all participants to benefit from and build on collective wisdom and creativity. |
| 17:15 – 17:45 | Final Discussion and Close of the Day |
| 18:00 – | Continue discussion over drinks and snacks |