Opening Keynote: Workflow is the New Content

Abstract

The digital environment makes workflow support more important, as activities, content, and communications are tied together on the network in various combinations. Think of the interesting mix of social and functional capacities in an application like Strava, used by athletes to track activity and connect with others. In a library or research environment this trend is also clear. Research practices, and the support provided by libraries, publishers and others, provide an intriguing example, as workflows produce, manage and consume content, enable collaboration, and tie devices together to get things done.

We are familiar with the historic role of the Institutional Repository, and libraries are now potentially working with colleagues to provide research information management systems and research data management capacity. This presentation will consider some of these issues, in the context of changing research behaviors, metrics, the move to open, and other factors.

Comments

Lorcan coordinates strategic planning and oversees the Membership and Research Division at OCLC. He has worked for library and educational organizations in Ireland, the UK, and the US. His influence on national policy and library directions is widely recognized. In 2010 he received the National Federation of Advanced Information Services' (NFAIS) highest award, The Miles Conrad Award. He is an honorary Doctor of the Open University in the UK and has twice received an ALCTS Presidential Citation for his work with OCLC colleagues. Lorcan began his career in public libraries in his native Dublin, Ireland. Before moving to OCLC, he managed the UK higher education national investment in information services for Jisc. He is a member of the Cambridge University Library Visiting Committee. Lorcan has a BA and MLIS from University College Dublin