And They Were There — Reports of Meetings 2020 Charleston Conference Column Editors: Ramune K. Kubilius (Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine) <r-kubilius@northwestern.edu> and Sever Bordeianu (Head, Print Resources Section, University Libraries, MSC05 3020, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001; Phone: 505-277-2645; Fax: 505-277-9813) <sbordeia@unm.edu> Column Editor’s Note: Thanks to the Charleston Conference attendees who agreed to write brief reports that highlight and spotlight their 2020 Charleston Conference experience. Out of necessity, the conference moved from on-site to virtual, and all registrants were given the opportunity to view recordings, to re-visit sessions they saw “live,” or to visit sessions they missed. Without a doubt, with 173 total choices, there were more Charleston Conference sessions than there were volunteer reporters for Against the Grain, so the coverage is just a snapshot. For the 2020 conference, reporters were invited to share what drew them to various themes and sessions, or what they learned, rather than report on individual sessions as they’ve done for “And They Were There” reports in past years when conferences were on-site. There are many ways to learn more about the 2020 conference. Some presenters posted their slides and handouts in the online conference schedule. Please visit the conference site, https://www.charleston-hub.com/the-charleston-conference/, and link to selected videos, interviews, as well as to blog reports written by Charleston Conference blogger, Donald Hawkins, https://www.charleston-hub.com/category/blogs/chsconfnotes/. The 2020 Charleston Conference Proceedings will be published in 2021, in a new partnership with University of Michigan Press: https://www.press.umich.edu/. — RKK
My Five favorite concurrent sessions from the 2020 virtual Charleston Conference (and why) Reported by Ramune K. Kubilius (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Galter Health Sciences Library) <r-kubilius@northwestern.edu> The Charleston Conference provided academic special librarians opportunities to view not only “big picture” sessions, but also sessions with special subject impact (health sciences for this reporter). Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going? (the 20th Health Sciences Lively Lunchtime Discussion) This was a “go to” destination, not only because of a self-assigned role as annual “Developments” trends handout compiler. The panel, moderated by Lorbeer, addressed timely topics. Per Noe, health libraries are trusted, and often — users’ primary libraries. Medical content impacts health, but roadblocks to addressing calls for balance and neutrality may include internal politics, title availability. Though his June “Black Lives Matter: Antiracism and Health Suggested Resources” compilation was the library website’s most visited page, lists are a minimal (first) step. Lubker spotlighted COVID-19 era challenges in the global landscape that included: budget, technology, but also new services, collaborations, and surveys, including post-pandemic planning. Conference founder Strauch reminisced about early
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career days with medical library public and technical services role silos (reporter déjà vu: specialized roles exist now, too). Her rallying encouragement to ensure survival of medical libraries: collaborate, and think big. Gallo shared recommendations for libraries and vendors: partner, start conversations. In seeking equity, strive for integration, not separate “collections.” https://2020charlestonconference.pathable.co/meetings/virtual/ CKBaRxwbbewrFxnZd Preprints: “Beastly Breakfast” Roundtable Discussion The National Library of Medicine preprint pilot (announced in 2019 by NLM director Dr. Patricia Brennan, launched in June 2020) aligned with the topic of this session, moderated by Ishmael. Unscripted thoughts and opinions were shared. Preprints may be recruitment tools, the first to get a “scoop,” de facto or openly “peer review” (about 70% are eventually published). Libraries venturing into the information validation world are creating new positions, e.g., “reproducibility librarian.” https://2020charlestonconference.pathable.co/meetings/virtual/ CxcMEzevduHsbNAgq Breakfast/Sunrise Session: A Year of Preserving Library Legacies Together At the 2019 Charleston Conference, the Internet Archives and Better World Books partnership was announced. This interesting one-year update covered ownership transitions, pandemic era “Covid stashes,” and initiatives fitting the mission of preserving libraries together. Donation recipients included: schools, senior centers, also a Books for Africa milestone — the 40th millionth book in 30 years. Spotlights included investments: discoverability and access options, and digitization-preservation projects: of a unique historical Frederick Douglass oration, and the closed Marygrove College’s library. https://2020charlestonconference. pathable.co/meetings/virtual/JM6ius35L34mrWd5g Research Librarians and Society Publishers Working Together to Advance OA and Research A reminder that missions come first came from smaller society publishers (IWA Publishing and Microbiology Society) and research librarian Russell. They opined on steps, actual and visionary, towards advancing OA, and responded to chat questions. Make things “administratively light.” Group together as libraries, work with publishers, don’t disenfranchise authors. What authors and funders want is not a simple equation. https://2020charlestonconference.pathable.co/meetings/virtual/ p77cQsYRYibevmb4x Innovation Session 2 Three interesting health and basic science initiatives were included in Innovation 2. Lindsay reported on marketing research technique of constructing a customer value hierarchy continued on page 47
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