Beginning in October, OCLC and LYRASIS will be hosting a series of free all-day workshops designed to help libraries better understand how Web scale is changing cooperative library services.
What is “Web scale”? Also referred to as “cloud computing,” this 2009 blog post from OCLC’s Mike Teets gives a quick summary from the technical side.
From the workshop announcement page:
Libraries have been cooperating on cataloging, collection management and resource sharing services for decades. The benefits of networked services include the lack of need for local software or hardware, elimination of maintenance and support costs, lower overall expense and better scalability.
Now, Web scale offers libraries the chance to revitalize traditional services by sharing workflows, activities, data and standards as part of a cooperative.
OCLC and LYRASIS invite you to take this opportunity to find out how Web-scale cooperation can lower your library’s costs, make your services more efficient and improve your patrons’ overall experience. At these workshops, attendees will
- Discuss ideas with experts, colleagues and early adopters
- Learn the benefits of moving library services to Web scale
- Take away practical tips on how to fit Web scale into your long-term strategy
- Engage in readiness activities to help you in your planning discussions.
Here’s where and when you can attend a workshop:
- October 15, 2010: Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- October 22, 2010: Wichita Public Library, Wichita, KS
- November 16, 2010: Durham Public Library, Durham, NC
- December 3, 2010: Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA
For more information, visit http://www.oclc.org.