News
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Final Virtual Networking of the Year Brings Reflections on Staff Learning Journeys
The end of a very different year was a time to consider the skills, aptitudes and challenges of the continued online support pivot for academic library staff.
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Collections, Access & Support Form Heart of the Conversation at Networking Event
Our fourth virtual networking session tackled the practicalities, frustrations and triumphs of running an HE library service during a pandemic.
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Staff Development Group Announces New Outline Events Programme for 20/21
As the new academic year begins, so too are details emerging for this year’s staff development events programme from the Collaboration.
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Off the Shelf Metadata: Challenges, Experience and Quality Control
The Mercian Metadata Group host a second of their popular eForum discussion events focussing on shelf-ready and EDI metadata issues.
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So What HAS it Been Like to be Back on Campus?
Delegates had an opportunity to hear first-hand experiences of campus and library reopening foibles, challenges and successes in this popular online event.
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Third Virtual Networking Event Explores Staff and Student Experiences at a Distance
The power of silence, the challenge of reopening and the opportunities of the new normal all come up for discussion in the third virtual networking event!
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Reflecting on Decolonising the Academic Library
One of the organisers provides a detailed report on the recent decolonisation event, which is a very hot current topic in academic libraries.
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Collaboration Conference 2020: Regretfully Cancelled
A statement concerning the planned 2020 Conference, and the next steps for a major event from the Collaboration
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Spotlight on new Governance Documentation
A spotlight on a number of recently published and important documentation, which each relate to the policy and activities of the Collaboration.
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Well-Being, Reopening, and the Homing Instinct: A second virtual networking event
Second virtual networking event tackles mental and physical well-being during lockdown, the uncertainty of reopening plans while looking for developmental benefits within the experience.
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Post Lockdown Planning Resources
Links to articles, resources and information pertaining to academic libraries and the post-Covid-19/lockdown environment for services, staff, and students.
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Mercian Conference 2020: Call for Session Proposals
The Collaboration's annual conference launches its annual appeal for speakers from across the region to contribute to its key event.
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Inaugural Online Networking Event a Virtual Success
A pilot event drew delegates from across the Midland academic libraries to discuss their personal experiences of keeping services, and themselves, up and running during the pandemic lockdown pe
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The New Collaboration Conference Emerges
As lockdown library life continues, its time for a new kind of Collaboration conference to emerge to bring people together…at a distance.
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Adapting to the New Normal
An update on some of the developments at the Mercian Collaboration, as we begin to adapt to current challenging working environment.
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Mercian Collaboration & Covid-19
An update on forthcoming Collaboration events, in the light of the current Covid-19 public health emergency.
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Stand Up and Be Included as a Conference 2020 Sponsor
Our annual conference once again provides a fantastic opportunity for commercial organisations to support our work, as well as offering an effective route to attract new clients.
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Opening New Doors with a Visit to the Open University
Loughborough’s Joanne Culpin reflects back on a recent event hosted by and about the Open University library service.
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Call for Contributions: Decolonising the Academic Library
An invitation for contributions to a Mercian Collaboration Staff Development Group event organised jointly by De Montfort University, Leicester and Leicester University.
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New Group for Deputies & Senior Library Managers Created
After months of discussion, a new group for senior academic library staff in the Mercian Collaboration region finally moves forward.
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Conference Feedback Underlines Value to Regional Library Staff
The third annual Mercian Collaboration conference delights, educations and entertains delegates from across the region.
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The Future of Cataloguing Investigated at World Café Event
The Metadata Group reflects on a successful, and engaging first regional event, questioning where next for cataloguing and indexing specialists.
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Buddying Scheme Trumpets 2 Years of Success Stories
After two successful years, the Collaboration's buddying scheme is looking for more people to become involved, as it continues to forge new links between regional library staff.
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Collaboration Conference Builds Bridges into a Challenging Future
The Collaboration makes it three in a row, with its third successful conference hosted at the University of Nottingham.
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Desperately Seeking ‘Senior’ Library Staffers
The Development Officer discusses some ongoing work to better understand how the Collaboration might better support and develop senior library staff within the regional context.
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Call for Papers: Mercian Collaboration Conference 2019
Come and talk about the great work you and your colleagues have been doing!
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Become a Mercian Collaboration Golden Sponsor
Once again, the opportunity for commercial organisations to support the Midlands’ premier academic library conference have been announced
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RDMSG Explores the Skills to Pay the RDM Bills
Laurian Williamson reports on the RDMSG's highly successful recent event looking at emerging workforce skills requirements for research data management.
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Knowing How to Best Support Finalists
Clare Langman reports on the latest event exploring the information and support needs of students at different stages of their studies.
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New Steering & Special Interest Groups Introduced at Birmingham Meeting
The March 2019 Directors Board proved to be an exciting day of change, discussion and development.
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Time to Reflect on Resources & Collection Development
Carol reflects on how she and colleagues approached the challenge of planning an effective workshop drawing on multiple speakers, before examining the day’s outcomes.
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Putting Positive Persuasion into Practice
Librarianship is a communicating profession at heart, but communication comprises more than simple information exchange.
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All Eyes on Digital Literacy
Digital literacy remains a key developmental task for academic librarians, and this even gave practitioners a great chance to catch up on recent developments.
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Well-Behaved In Worcester
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Relive New for You!: Presentations are Now Available
Delegates as well as those who were unable to attend the recent annual Mercian Collaboration Conference, New for You!, may be
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Inclusion Getting Back to the Basics
Two reports from the Mercian Disability Forum’s first event demonstrate how delegates had a timely moment for reflection and learning, around enhancing a
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BCU Library Visit Provides a High Water-Mark for the Events Programme
Visit to Birmingham City University library caps off an academic year packed with exciting, relevant and informative Mercian events.
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Bookings Open for New for You! Conference 2018
At long last, book your place for this year’s must attend destination midlands, academic-libraries conference!
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‘Feeling Good and Functioning Well’ – Improving Students’ Wellbeing
How libraries can enhance students’ wellbeing, was a core theme at Warwick’s engaging and discursive workshop.
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Research Data and GDPR Propagates Stimulating and Enlightening Discussions
Changes to data protection legislation presents challenges and opportunities for research data management staff, underlining the importance of community experience sharing, an event explored.
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New For You Conference: Call for Papers and Workshops
The Mercian Collaboration are pleased to announce the call for papers for our second annual conference, this year titled New for You!
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Conference Sponsorship Opens Up A Realm of Possibilities
A range of opportunities for commercial organisations to support the Midland’s premier annual academic library conference have been announced.
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Continuing to Build Knowledge, Skills and Confidence For Second Year Undergraduates
Between revelation and celebration, why do second year students flounder in their studies, and how can libraries help them get back on track? An event aimed to find out!
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Mercian Discussion List Launches – Join Today!
Keep up to date with activities across the Mercian Collaboration with the new Mercian mailing list
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GDPR and Copyright Workshop Event Delights Region
Tania Rowlett and Rob Melocha report on an active and engaging workshop, hosted at Leicester, aimed at equipping library staff to cope with the forthcoming data protection legislative changes.
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Regional Collaborations Unite in Edinburgh
A meeting between regional library collaboration managers, provides a much need day for reflection, debate and contrasts.
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Building Communities Through Tailored Facilities, Support & Events at Warwick
Liz Gardner reflects on a SDG event at Warwick, where exploration, customisation and diversity contributed to a rich attendee experience - and a chance to escape the everyday!
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Mercian Conference 2018: Save the Date
Conference Group reveals details of the venue and date for #Mercian18
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Speaking unto the Region: Reflections on Organising a Regional Conference
Jennifer Brotherton talks about the skills she developed through being an active participant in organising the Mercian Conference 2017.
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The Collaboration Conference Delegate Experience
A delegate finds inspiration and affirmation for library staff at September’s Mercian conference
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Conference Life Well-Lived: A Great Development Opportunity
For Anna, being a conference planning team member, was an eye opening and rich learning journey
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Rethinking the Online User Experience with Libguides
Coventry based event collates various perspectives and approaches in considering routes to effectively enhancing the online library user experience.
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Find Your Library Buddy in the Mercian Region
The Mercian Buddying Scheme introduces an informal but effective professional support network into the UK Midlands.
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Session Slides and Recordings from Mercian 2017 Conference Available
An golden opportunity to re-experience and reflect on #Mercian17.
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Mercian Collaboration Welcomes New Member
The Mercian Collaboration grows in size as new academic library joins from October 2017.
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Conference 2017 Bookings Swell as Booking Deadline Nears
It’s not too late to kick off a great academic year of professional development with a visit to the Mercian Collaboration Conference 2017.
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Mercian Disability Forum Launches
After behind the scene discussions, the Mercian Collaboration is delighted to welcome another special interest group into the fold, representing an increase in specialised regional support and
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Bookings Open for the Mercian Conference 2017
At last, the long awaited and eagerly anticipated Mercian Conference 2017 is open to delegates bookings. Drawing together over hundred delegates and speakers from across the Mercian region, this c
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George Green Refurbishment Shines Out
Annie Styles highlights her experiences of introducing visiting Mercian library staff to the University of Nottingham's wonderfully refurbished science and engineering library.
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Mercian Research Data Management Support Group launches
The Mercian RDM Support Group’s launch workshop attracted delegates and discussion, highlighting the level of regional development around the increasingly vital UK Higher Education activity of
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Conference 2017: Call for Participation Opens
The Conference Group, on behalf of the Mercian Collaboration, are pleased to announce the first Mercian Collaboration Conference 'In Libraries We Trust'
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Exploring the Wonders of Ethnography for Librarians
A recent Mercian SDG event saw library staff from across the Mercian region, dipping their toes into the mysteries of applied ethnographic research
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Library Space and Building Design: Lessons Learnt
In January my colleague and myself welcomed the opportunity to attend the Library Space and Building Design Merician Staff Development training at the Lanchester Library (18th Jan 2017, University
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New Mercian Steering Group Elected
The results are in, and we are delighted to announce the new Steering Group Officers for the Mercian Collaboration.
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Lincoln’s University Librarian adopts new role as Student Learning Dean
As part of the development of small number of strategic academic roles across the University of Lincoln, Ian Snowley has recently taken on the new role of Dean of Student Learning Development
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Mercian Website Launches
The Mercian Collaboration website, formally launches, to provide information for academic library staff throughout the UK Midlands region.
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All the Same But Different: Northampton
Another exciting opportunity to visit a Mercian Collaboration library service
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Circulation Reviews and LMS Implementations event
Timely event for library staff working in customer services and circulation
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Directors Discuss Licence Challenges
Publisher negotiations and regional support headline Jisc visit to Mercian
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Mercian Collaboration Conference 2017
Mercian Collaboration Conference for 2017 Announced
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Storify - the Library Advocacy Tweets
Social media discussions around library advocacy collated into Storify site
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Mercian Directors Tackle University Presses
Mercian Directors tackle issues around the ideas of library-led university presses, with the help of an external expert.
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All the Same, But Different - Hive Visit
Emma Whitney reports back on her eye-opening visit to the revolutionary combined public and university library service at Worcester