Past Events
The following is a list of events organised by the Collaboration. Where possible, presentations,reports and any other materials related to the events are made available here.
If you have a report, blog or write up of a Mercian Collaboration event you’d be prepared to share with us, please get in touch.
Events List
| Date | Location | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cataloguing with Confidence (DMU October 2024) | Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 10:00 to 16:30 | De Montfort University, Leicester |
Cataloguing with Confidence, a workshop presented by Victoria Parkinson (KCL) and Tom Meehan (UCL) |
| Mercian Collaboration Conference 2024: Collaboration, Evolution, Sustainability | Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - 09:30 to 16:15 | The Venue at De Montfort University in Leicester |
Mercian 2024 Conference: Collaboration, Evolution and Sustainability (#Mercian24) |
| Making staff training accessible | Wednesday, June 5, 2024 - 11:00 to 16:00 | Birmingham Newman University |
Mercian Staff Development Group and Mercian Disability Forum present: 'Making staff training accessible' |
| Putting AI to work: how might libraries leverage artificial intelligence? | Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 13:30 to 15:00 | Online event |
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. |
| Mercian Conference 2024 Speaker Briefing Session 2 | Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - 10:00 to 11:00 | Online event |
Come and find out more about how to become a speaker at this year's Mercian Collaboration Conference. |
| Mercian Conference 2024 Speaker Briefing Session 1 | Thursday, April 18, 2024 - 14:00 to 15:00 | Online event |
Come along and find out more about how to become a speaker at this year's Mercian Collaboration Conference. |
| Trans Awareness in the Library - April 2024 | Wednesday, April 17, 2024 - 14:00 to 16:00 | Online event |
This virtual workshop with an external facilitator is for all Library staff, particularly those in outward facing roles. The session aims to provide an opportunity to build confidence and familiarity in all matters trans. This bite-size learning event takes the form of a conversation, rather than a lecture, and is both reflective and interactive. Participants will be encouraged to raise questions and thoughts throughout. The session includes break-out rooms using case studies where attendees can share thoughts and experiences with colleagues. |
| User Experience (UX) community of practice event | Tuesday, April 9, 2024 - 10:00 to 11:30 | Online event |
This online Mercian Staff Development Group (MSDG) event explores the concept of user experience (UX) research and the various approaches taken including successes and lessons learned at the University of Birmingham (UoB) and Birmingham City University (BCU). There will be short presentations including an overview of the concept of UX, with time for questions and discussions. |
| Navigating the AI Landscape with students: Our Library's Approach | Monday, March 25, 2024 - 13:30 to 15:00 | Online event |
How can libraries realise the promise of AI learning tools while navigating risks and concerns around academic integrity? In this session, we will discuss how DMU library is guiding students on using AI tools for research and learning. Our focus is on nurturing critical skills while retaining control over the technology and preserving academic integrity. We'll share our initiatives and explore challenges. |
| Librarians share their experiences of face to face, online & blended learning | Wednesday, February 14, 2024 - 14:00 to 16:00 | Online event |
This online Mercian Staff Development Group (MSDG) event focuses on the various teaching experiences of academic librarians from The University of Northampton and The Open University. There will be 2 presentation sessions, with time for questions and discussions. |
| What is Artificial intelligence and what can it do? | Monday, January 22, 2024 - 13:30 to 15:00 | Online event |
‘What is Artificial intelligence and what can it do?’, aimed at all library staff with an interest in AI. Online event. Presenter is Julie McCall (Academic Liaison Team Manager - Coventry University). |
| Library Assistant and Beyond - All the Same But Different (Aston - January 2024) | Friday, January 19, 2024 - 11:45 to 15:00 | Aston Library, Aston Street, Birmingham B4 7ET |
Library Assistant and Beyond - All the Same but Different Job satisfaction and knowledge through cross divisional working and citizenship. Library Assistants will discuss secondments, working groups and projects they have recently enjoyed working on. Detailing the experience, they have gained and how it’s impacted their day to day. |
| Dealing with Difficult Customers (December 2023) | Tuesday, December 12, 2023 - 13:00 to 16:00 | Pilkington Library, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU |
Most of us will at some time or another experience difficult situations with certain people or certain types of behaviour in others; be this aggression, sarcasm, put-downs, threatening or abusive behaviour. This online session will help to build confidence and skills in dealing with these situations in a positive and effective way. |
| Dealing with Difficult Customers (Online - October 2023) | Thursday, October 26, 2023 - 18:00 to 19:30 | Online event |
Most of us will at some time or another experience difficult situations with certain people or certain types of behaviour in others; be this aggression, sarcasm, put-downs, threatening or abusive behaviour. This online session will help to build confidence and skills in dealing with these situations in a positive and effective way. |
| Mercian Conference 2023 | Thursday, September 7, 2023 - 09:30 to 16:15 | The Exchange, Birmingham |
This year’s Mercian 2023 conference, Putting change into action: development, diversity and drive, takes place on Thursday 7th September at The Exchange, Birmingham. |
| Managing the Imposter Within | Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 13:00 to 16:00 | Online event |
The Mercian Collaboration Staff Development group is delighted to be hosting this practical online workshop delivered by experienced coach, Jo Walley. |
| Trans Awareness in the Library (May '23) | Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 10:00 to 12:00 | Online |
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| Demystifying decolonising: practical steps in libraries (April '23) | Monday, April 24, 2023 - 10:00 to 12:30 | Online |
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| Mercian Conference 2023 - Speaker Support Session 2 | Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - 12:00 to 13:00 | Online Event (Teams) |
Come along and find out more about how to become a speaker at this year's Mercian Collaboration Conference. The 2023 conference will take place in early September, and an open call for speakers will be annouced shortly. |
| Conference Group (April 23) | Wednesday, April 5, 2023 - 15:00 to 16:30 | Online meeting (Teams) |
The next meeting of the conference planning committee will be held in early April 2023. |
| Mercian Conference 2023 - Speaker Support Session 1 | Monday, March 27, 2023 - 15:00 to 16:00 | Online Event (Teams) |
Come along and find out more about how to become a speaker at this year's Mercian Collaboration Conference. The 2023 conference will take place in early September, and an open call for speakers will be annouced shortly. |
| Staff Development Group (March '23) | Thursday, March 23, 2023 - 14:00 to 15:00 | Online meeting |
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| New SIG - Library Systems and Technologies (March '23) | Wednesday, March 22, 2023 - 10:00 to 12:00 |
While Mercian Collaboration members have different library systems and technologies under local IT architecture, we face similar challenges in implementing change and ensuring smooth operation. These challenges include a sustainable operating model, resourcing, staff development, or fostering an |
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| Directors Board (March '23) | Tuesday, March 21, 2023 - 10:30 to 15:30 |
The Spring meeting of the Mercian Collaboration’s Directors Board will be hosted in-person on Tuesday 21st March 2023 at Aston University. |
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| Deputies & Senior Staff Meeting (Mar '23) | Monday, March 20, 2023 - 14:00 to 16:00 | Online |
The March 2023 meeting of the Deputies and Senior Staff Group (D&SSG) has been postponed! |
