Events

Events are generally organised by the Mercian's Special Interest Subgroups, with the Staff Development Group having a particular remit to deliver an annual programme of development events for member library’s staff.

Event Suggestions

We always welcome suggestions for themes or topics for future events. If you’ve got an idea or request for a particular theme or event you’d like to see, please contact us and tell us your thoughts.

Eligibility

Physically hosted events are normally only open to attendance by library staff coming from Collaboration member organisations. Exceptions to this rule are made at the hosting venue’s Library Director’s (or equivalent) discretion or on application to the Steering Group in their absence. 

While online events are also primarily hosted for and marketing to library staff from Collaboration member organisations, academic library staff from institutions outside of the region may be admitted at the event organiser’s discretion.

Attendees from commercial organisations are not normally eligible to attend Collaboration events, unless specifically invited as speakers by the host or as the result of conference sponsorship arrangements.

Note: Most events continue to be online only, unless otherwise noted.

Code of Conduct

All attendees should conduct themselves as they would in a professional, workplace environment. Session hosts are empowered to mute or remove any participants breaching these expectations during the event. Please see our Online Events Etiquette guidance for more details.

Upcoming Events

Title Date Location Description
Putting AI to work: how might libraries leverage artificial intelligence? 14 May 2024 - 1:30pm to 3:00pm Online event Description:   The adoption of AI-augmented services by universities is likely to affect how HE libraries teams operate. The incorporation of AI in third-party information services and online search engines provided by the library will alter the way that students and academics carry out research. Libraries will also want to develop new services of their own which take advantage of the growing potential of AI. As libraries try to navigate the fast-evolving AI landscape, what approaches might they usefully adopt, and what pitfalls should they avoid? This online session will introduce some guidelines and principles to consider, and provide space for you to share your own hopes and doubts about the possible future of AI in the library.    Presenter: Richard Cross (Head of Discovery and Digital Futures – Nottingham Trent University) As the Head of Discovery and Digital Futures within Libraries and Learning Resources at Nottingham Trent University, Richard Cross has a growing preoccupation with the challenges and opportunities posed by the continued rapid development of AI. Richard is the technical lead for all online library services at NTU, managing the implementation and rollout of numerous systems and platforms, and also developing and deploying a wide range of library applications and web utilities. He also has many years of experience as an active member of different user communities in the HE library space, and has regularly presented and run workshops on emergent library technologies. Over the past two years, he has provided regular updates to teams and colleagues at all levels within LLR on the evolving conundrum of artificial intelligence. Audience:  Principally aimed at team leaders and managers at all levels, in both front and back of house library services, but anyone with an interest in AI and libraries is welcome. If you have any questions or further enquiries, then please contact amy.jackson@dmu.ac.uk or ruth.stubbings@dmu.ac.uk 
Making staff training accessible 5 June 2024 - 11:00am to 4:00pm Birmingham Newman University Mercian Staff Development Group and Mercian Disability Forum present: 'Making staff training accessible' Accessibility for disabled and neurodiverse people is a key responsibility common to all academic libraries. We focus, rightly, on our students’ experiences; but accessibility of learning and development is vital for our staff, too.  In this half-day conference, there will be discussions about the experience of being a disabled or neurodiverse learner in the workplace, followed by presentations and workshops on the theoretical and practical approaches to making learning and development a better experience for everyone, technology-enhanced learning tools as well as how accessibility can be measured. Please bring your own device to participate in the workshop activities. Drink refreshments will be provided.  Please bring your own lunch. Catering outlets are available to purchase food. Tours of Birmingham Newman University Library will be offered. Facilitators, panel members and presenters: Annmarie Lee, Birmingham City University Bernadette Carter, Birmingham City University Christian Jones, Birmingham City University Clare Williams, Nottingham University Deborah Munroe, Aston University Julie Adams, Staffordshire University Mercedes Malloy, Birmingham City University Simon Satchwell Giles, Birmingham Newman University Audience: Everyone is welcome to attend - whether you are responsible for designing and delivering training and development or you are the one doing the learning. Venue: Room CH004, Birmingham Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham, B32 3NT. Maps and Directions Further enquiries: Please contact Annmarie Lee – Head of Customer Services, Library and Learning Resources, Birmingham City University (ann-marie.lee@bcu.ac.uk) or Simon Satchwell Giles Academic Service Librarian, Birmingham Newman University Library (s.satchwellgiles@staff.newman.ac.uk)