CIRSS Seminar: Lorcan Dempsey

Lorcan Dempsey, vice president and chief strategist at OCLC, will present "Reflections on collections: how changes in research workflow and the network information space are changing our view of collections."

Abstract: The library collection has been central to library identity and service, however we are now seeing major changes in how libraries help discover, curate and create collections.  This is a response to evolving research and learning behaviors in a network environment. This presentation considers trends which are influencing how we think about library curatorial activities and are reshaping their collections. The first direction is the 'inside-out library' which is a response to the reorganization of research work by the digital environment. The second is the facilitated collections, which is a response to the reorganization of the information space by the network. It is interesting to think about these changes in an institutional context, but also at other levels, BTAA for example. 

Lorcan Dempsey coordinates strategic planning and oversees Research, Membership and Community Relations 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.