Menu
Search
Distinguished Seminar Series

Distinguished Seminar Series

OCLC Research has hosted the Distinguished Seminar Series since 1978, to encourage exchange of ideas and thought leadership on topics that impact libraries, library staff, and librarianship. The series invites presenters to speak with OCLC staff and the library community on current issues facing the field, their current research, or other initiatives they have undertaken or recently completed. The format includes a presentation, followed by Q&A from the audience. Some presentation topics align with current OCLC Research areas of focus, while others may inspire our future directions. The series, which is live streamed and recorded for future viewing, strives to bring a diversity of perspectives to a global library audience and inspire call to action.

Upcoming DSS Events

More events coming soon!

Recent DSS Events

Distinguished Seminar Series: "Strategies to preserve the past and shape our collective future: The HBCU Library Alliance – A Sankofa Experience"

Distinguished Seminar Series: "Strategies to preserve the past and shape our collective future: The HBCU Library Alliance – A Sankofa Experience"

By Sandra M. Phoenix

Distinguished Seminar Series

In this presentation, Sandra Phoenix, Executive Director, described the organization’s Sankofa Experience in remembering and embracing the past to make positive progress in the future. Learn about collections, HBCU Library Alliance programs, and how together we can envision a future to strive toward.

Topics: Distinguished Seminar Series, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

DSS slide cover

But what about copyright?

By Melissa Levine

Melissa Levine discussed the current efforts to address copyright concerns at scale, including the HathiTrust's Copyright Review Management System, global work in the creation of Rightsstatements.org, and how the Community Standards for 3D Data Preservation's working group on copyright is thinking about more than copyright. 

Topics: Distinguished Seminar Series

DSS Cover Slide

We Have Never Been Neutral: Search, Discovery, and the Politics of Access

By Dr. Kimberly Christen

Dr. Christen addressed the concept that library and archive practices are neutral and non-biased, traced the often violent histories of collecting and the construction of the public domain, unpacked their connections to the foundations of libraries and archives, and opened a space to provide a framework for ethical engagements and reciprocal practices through culturally responsive tools and engagements.

Topics: Distinguished Seminar Series

Trevor A. Dawes - Distinguished Seminar Series

Distinguished Seminar Series: "Welcome to the Library: Success of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

By Trevor A. Dawes

In this presentation, “Welcome to the Library: Success of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives,” Trevor A. Dawes, Vice Provost for Libraries and Museums and May Morris University Librarian at the University of Delaware, reviews the work of the ALA Task Force for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, which he co-chaired, and also examines the diversity and inclusion efforts at several libraries.

Topics: Distinguished Seminar Series