CARLI News February 28, 2024

If you need disability-related accommodations to participate in any of the events mentioned below, please email the . Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

Shared Institutional Repository Non-Binding Interest Indicator

For many years, CARLI members have requested the provision of a shared institutional repository. To that end, CARLI convened an "Institutional Repository Investigative Task Force." The group's final report in 2018 defined an institutional repository as: 

"...a set of services and technologies for the local management and dissemination of digital materials created by member institutions and their communities. Traditionally, IR platforms allow for the self-deposit of content from an institution’s community of users."

The final report also included a recommendation to collaborate with the UIUC Library on a solution. The UIUC Library and CARLI have both invested significant time and effort into this initiative. The UIUC Library has modified their own institutional repository software to support a multi-tenant environment, and staff from UIUC and CARLI have worked in partnership to establish a mutual understanding of member support needs, with the common goal of creating a sustainable shared repository service for CARLI libraries.

CARLI and the UIUC Library are seeking to gauge the level of member interest in a shared IR, and how to price the service. CARLI will financially support the service in FY25 and FY26, with member libraries that subscribe beginning their support in FY27.

CARLI Committee Volunteer Applications

If you have been considering volunteering for a CARLI committee, the application period will be open the week of March 11 and remain open until the beginning of May. Volunteers chosen will serve a three-year term. Faculty and staff from all CARLI member libraries are encouraged to apply! 

Service on CARLI committees and task forces affords individuals a unique opportunity to use their experience and expertise to help shape the future of the consortium and its services. You can find more information including the charges for the various committees from the committee directory.

We hope you will submit an application during the 2024 committee volunteer period.

CARLI Scholarship Application Period Opens Week of March 11

The CARLI Scholarship provides financial assistance to current employees of CARLI Governing Member Libraries pursuing graduate studies leading to a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Scholarships may be awarded for both on-campus and/or distance education programs.
 
Applicants must be employed by a CARLI Governing Member Library at the time of application. Preference is given to full-time employees, but part-time and student employees may also apply. The applicant must also be currently enrolled or accepted, and will be a student in a graduate school program during the academic year, semester, or academic quarter for which the scholarship is received. First-time recipients are given preference, but students may apply for and be awarded the scholarship more than once. Candidates awarded the scholarship must supply proof of admission or enrollment to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before the scholarship is disbursed. Applications are due on June 1, 2024.
 
Amount for the 2024-2025 academic year (August 2024–May 2025) will be a minimum of $1,000.
 
Based on available funding and application review, CARLI reserves the right to increase or decrease the award amount, and/or award multiple scholarships or no scholarships for any academic year.
 
An individual will be selected by the CARLI Scholarship Committee based on the following criteria:

  • Applicant’s response to a personal essay question regarding his/her professional goals and objectives in pursuing a library career that demonstrates a commitment to the profession.
  • Strength of references. Three CARLI Scholarship Reference Forms are required, at least one of which must be from a librarian at the applicant’s library. References may include additional comments or letters.

 
Scholarship Committee members are appointed annually by the CARLI Senior Director.

CARLI New Directors Institute

Registration is now open for one of CARLI's most popular programs! Register now for the 2024 CARLI New Directors Institute (NDI) being held on May 22 and 23. 

The institute is designed to enhance the management and leadership skills of CARLI Governing Member library directors/interim directors who are new to their positions or those who feel new to their positions, but any director interested in the program is welcome to attend. 

CARLI will support the cost of the institute including lodging, meals, and programming. The agenda is currently being finalized and will be available on the registration page as soon as it is ready. Seats for the NDI are limited.

Call for Panelists: Weeding & Shifting

Have you been involved in a large weeding or shifting project? Did you have to adopt new procedures or call on skillsets you didn't know you had? What do you wish you had known beforehand? What advice would you give and what resources would you recommend?

The CARLI Collection Management Committee invites participants from academic libraries of all sizes for two online panels on the topics of weeding and shifting, respectively, to take place in late May. Format will consist of a 3–5 minute mini-presentation about your project with 1 or 2 slides, followed by moderated Q&A. The deadline to volunteer for either panel is March 13.

Potential topics might include:

  • Weeding or shifting to make space for other units or a library move
  • Impact on technical services
  • Communicating with stakeholders
  • How to make the most of a small team, or working with a short timeline
  • Collaborations with vendors

Volunteer to participate!

12th Annual CARLI Instruction Showcase Call for Presenters

The CARLI Instruction Committee is seeking presentation proposals for the 12th Annual Instruction Showcase, to be held virtually on Tuesday, June 18. 

CARLI members and Illinois LIS students are welcome to submit proposals on all library instruction topics and are encouraged to draw inspiration from this year's theme: New Directions and New Users. Proposals can be for a lightning talk, a 20-minute presentation, or a 20-minute presentation and 20-minute workshop.

Proposals are due Friday, March 8 by 5 p.m. and can be submitted through this form. Submissions will be reviewed by the committee the week of March 28 and submitters will be notified by April 5.

The committee is seeking proposals for topics in the following areas: New Directions in Technology, Lesson Plans for New Users, and Case Studies of New Collaborations. 

If you are interested in learning more about submitting a proposal or you would like to register for this event, please visit the 12th Annual Instruction Showcase registration page.

Libraries' Campus Role Related to Generative AI: CARLI Public Services Committee Survey

The CARLI Public Services Committee is interested in learning the role member libraries play or will play at their institutions as related to Generative Artificial Intelligence, commonly known as Generative AI, an artificial intelligence that generates new content using machine learning based on input from the user. Some common examples are ChatGPT, Bard, and GPT-4.

Please take the time to complete thissurvey, which is estimated to take about 6 minutes to complete. The survey closes on March 1.

The survey results will be anonymized; however, if you are interested in discussing your experiences, you will have an opportunity to share your contact information at the end of the survey. Additionally, please forward this survey to anyone in your library that you feel would be able to provide insight into how your library and institution approach Generative AI. Multiple responses from your institution are welcome.

Your answers will help inform the committee on how to best provide information about Generative AI and the academic library's role on campus.

CARLI Registration Support for Creative Commons Certificate Program for Academic Librarians

CARLI is pleased to announce partial registration support for up to 8 employees at CARLI member institutions to participate in the Creative Commons Certificate Program.

Creative Commons (CC) licensing is a type of license commonly used with open educational resources. The course delves into the Creative Commons licenses and open practices. The 10-week certificate courses are presented as asynchronous, online training, with options for synchronous discussions. The Creative Commons Certificate Program syllabus includes modules on:

  • Copyright Law
  • Anatomy of a CC License
  • Using CC Licenses and CC-Licensed Work
  • Creative Commons for Librarian

The total cost of the program for a CARLI attendee after discounts and reimbursements is $225. All CARLI members qualify for the $200 reimbursement; however, CARLI financial support will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 8 registrants. To qualify, members must register for a course that begins prior to June 30, 2024.

To register for the course and receive the MHEC discount:

  1. Email:
  2. Navigate to the Course Registration and select "CC Certificate for Academic Librarians, June 2024" (course date June 10 – August 18, 2024).
  3. When you get to the checkout page, enter the Promo Code received from Jennryn Wetzler (in Step 1) before completing your order.
  4. Pay for the course and keep a copy of your payment receipt.
  5. To receive CARLI's $200 reimbursement, email  for the additional documentation needed to request reimbursement.

In return for CARLI's financial contribution to your registration fee, we are asking that you provide CARLI with at least two of the resources you created during the certificate program so that all of CARLI may benefit from these projects.

E-Resources News

SaaS Product FY25 Selections

CARLI's selection system will be open to libraries from February 22 to March 29 for software as a service (SaaS) selections. This cycle will allow libraries to add or renew subscriptions for OpenAthens, Leganto, or Alma Digital. Leganto and Alma Digital are only available for iShare members. 

FY25 Selection Cycle E-Resources    

CARLI is working with vendors to enter pricing in the selection system for fiscal year 2025 resources (starting July 1, 2024). We anticipate having the selection system open to libraries from April 1 to May 10.

We are currently working on renewal contracts with Bloomsbury and Infobase. Additional announcements will be posted to the E-Resources Contacts listserv.

CARLI OER Updates

Open Education Week, March 4-8

CARLI and the Open Educational Resource Committee are celebrating Open Education Week, March 4-8, by offering a series of free webinars and celebrating Illinois libraries' successes.

"Key Findings and Student Reflections from the "Illinois Course Materials Survey: Student Perspective"
March 5, 10:00-11:30 a.m. 

CARLI staff will report "Key Findings from the Illinois Course Materials Survey: Student Perspective" and a student panel will reflect on these results in this webinar open to Illinois libraries, members of the Professional Development Alliance, and those who support affordable initiatives at their institutions.

Get to Know the Upcoming Illinois SCOERs Open Educational Resources

Please join CARLI and the Open Educational Resource Committee as we celebrate a series of programs highlighting the upcoming publications of Illinois SCOERs Round Two and Three awardees. The Illinois SCOERs awards are made possible because of a generous grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) and the United States Department of Education's Open Textbook Pilot Program. These webinars are open to Illinois libraries, members of the Professional Development Alliance, and those who support affordable initiatives at their institutions.

Pick which program(s) you want to join to hear from project teams about their upcoming Open Educational Resources. 

Program 1, March 4, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 

  • "Principles of Marketing for Transformation" & "Principles of Management & Leadership Centered Management"- Concordia University Chicago
  • "Addictions Counseling Essentials" & "Conceptual Physics" - Concordia University Chicago
  • "The OER Guide to Media Writing" – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
  • "Development of Ancillary Teaching Materials and Labs the OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology" - Roosevelt University

Program 2, March 6, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 

  • "Fundamentals of Photography and Creative Practice" - Northern Illinois University
  • "Authoring Culture: The Foundations of Twenty-first Century Writing" – Columbia College Chicago
  • "Human Sexuality from A Sex Positivity Perspective" - Governor's State University
  • "Foundational Courses in the Theory and Practice of Media Arts" - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • "Traces: An Open Invitation to Archaeology" - Parkland Community College

Program 3, March 7, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 

  • "Introduction to Engineering Drawing and Design" - Illinois Institute of Technology
  • "An Introduction to Human Nutrition" - Lincoln Land Community College
  • "Pharmacology-Principles/Application for Medical Assistants" - Moraine Valley Community College
  • "Chemistry and Society (Lab manuals)" - Triton College
  • "Essentials of Physiology for Nurse Anesthetists" - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

CARLI Open Pedagogy Workshop  
March 8, 2:30-4:00 p.m. 

When you use open pedagogy in your classroom, you are inviting students to be part of the teaching process, participating in the co-creation of knowledge. In this online workshop, you will learn the definition and context of Open Pedagogy, view innovative examples being applied in a variety of subjects and formats, and work with other attendees to create an assignment that you can use in your own class. This webinar is open to faculty and staff at CARLI member institutions.

OER Grants Weekly Office Hours

Do you have questions about the Illinois Support for the Creation of Open Educational Resources grant (SCOERs) or the OER funding from the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library? Do you need help filling out your application for the Illinois State Library grants? Or did you already receive a subaward and need guidance creating your OER or ancillary materials? 
 
If so, please feel free to join us on Wednesdays from 2:00–3:00 p.m. with all your OER related questions. Registration is not required.
 
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 842 4596 7645
Password: 271282

OER Continuing Education 

Did you know that CARLI shares continuing education opportunities on the CARLI website?

You will find information about upcoming CARLI OER programs, information about past programs and if available, links to recordings, and OER Programs from other institutions.

To learn more: https://www.carli.illinois.edu/products-services/collections-management/oer-continuing-education

CARLI-OER Email List

CARLI has established an email list  for CARLI members to discuss and learn more about Open Educational Resources. Any person from a CARLI institution may subscribe to the email list.

Professional Development Alliance Events

The following programs from the Professional Development Alliance are currently on the calendar. Programs are offered on a wide variety of subjects. Check out everything the alliance is making available to our libraries!

  • March 4: Get to Know the New, Upcoming Illinois SCOERs OER, Program 1
  • March 5: Key Findings and Student Reflections from the "Illinois Course Materials Survey: Student Perspective"
  • March 6: Get to Know the New, Upcoming Illinois SCOERs OER, Program 2
  • March 7: Get to Know the New, Upcoming Illinois SCOERs OER, Program 3
  • March 7: Advanced Training on Social Explorer: Gathering In-Depth Data Insights
  • March 7: Getting Started with Infographics
  • March 13: The Librarian's Guide to Licensing: How to Start Navigating the Complexities
  • March 15: Library Advocacy Work is Relationship Building Work: A Panel Discussion
  • March 19: Finding Diverse Titles for Readers' Advisory
  • March 25: Why Do I Stay in Librarianship IV?  The DEI Perspective
  • March 27: Defending Diversity II: The Challenges and Opportunities for DEIA Positions in Libraries
     
  • April 3: Scarcity or Thriving? 10 Surprising Signs that Your Workplace is an "Abundance Magnet"
  • April 10: Simplify Techniques for Mastering Data Viz: A Fundamental Approach to Learning about Data and Visualization Software
  • April 11: Social Media Strategies to Boost Your Library's Reach & Impact
  • April 15: Page Turners: Promoting Leisure Reading in Academic Libraries
  • April 18: Elevating The Library Experience with Creative Programming
  • April 25: Mapping Opportunities: Leveraging Social Explorer for Library Outreach
  • April 30: Poison in the Stacks? Ongoing Research on Heavy Metals in 19th Century Books
     
  • May 8: Save the Date: Mental Health in Library Settings Training Course
  • May 8: YA Romance Readers' Advisory: Curious About Crushes

To register, visit the CARLI Event Calendar. Recordings of past CARLI-sponsored PDA events are available on the Professional Development Alliance web page when permitted by the presenter. 
 
Are you interested in presenting on a topic for CARLI members and the Professional Development Alliance? Or would you like to moderate a follow up discussion for an upcoming program? to become more involved in CARLI's continuing education efforts!

Poison in the Stacks? Ongoing Research on Heavy Metals in 19th Century Books 
April 30, 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Recent research in the cultural heritage field has identified the presence of arsenic and other heavy metals in pigments used in 19th Century books. How does this impact libraries with older books in their collections? This webinar will provide a brief introduction to this area of research and how it became a hot topic in the conservation field, and an overview of projects currently underway at three Illinois universities. Staff from Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will discuss their ongoing research, as well as access and handling policies for 19th C. materials, at their respective institutions. We will also provide information to help smaller institutions decide how they may want to approach potentially toxic heavy metals in their own collections.

Save the Date: Mental Health in Library Settings Training Course
May 8, 1:00-2:00 p.m. 

Tom Miebach and Justin York will join us to share information about their newly developed training course for librarians on Mental Health in Library Settings.

Newly Added Open Access Collections Activated in I-Share Network Zone

Ex Libris added new open access collections to the Community Zone. Many of these collections provide access to useful materials to CARLI members and their users.

This set of reviewed collections were added to the I-Share Network Zone on Feb. 2.

Electronic Collection Public Name

  • American Physiological Society Free 
  • Annual Reviews Open Access
  • Archaeopress Open Access
  • KU Water Association Open Journals (2021-2023)
  • MIT Press Direct OA
  • Milne Open Textbooks (previously SUNY Open Textbooks)  

CARLI has convened a group to regularly review these new collections. The group consists of representatives from the Collection Management, Commercial Products, Discovery Primo VE, E-Resources Management, and Technical Services committees. This group identifies the open access collections that meet selection criteria to be activated via the Network Zone so that the materials are available for all I-Share members. 

The CARLI Collection Management Committee first identified the selection criteria as it applied to Open Access Books

Using OCLC Cataloging Services with I-Share

Catalogers may be aware that OCLC has announced an end-of-support date of April 30 for the Connexion Browser service. If your catalogers use this service, they will need to transition to either Connexion Client or to the Record Manager service in WorldShare. The choice is not an either-or proposition, as you may use both tools in the situations that work best for you.

CARLI has compiled a set of documents to help you configure and use each of these tools. Check this collection of documents for the Using OCLC Cataloging Services with I-Share section of the Technical Services, Cataloging and Acquisitions documentation page. There, you will find instructions for exporting records from each OCLC service, including options for direct export via TCP/IP (i.e., the Connexion Gateway Export) and for export to files. These are accompanied by settings and configuration documents for each service.

Preservation Tip

Technology Apps and Online Resources for Disaster Preparedness and Response
Patti Gibbons, SCRC Head of Collection Management, University of Chicago

Disasters and collection emergencies happen, and apps and other electronic technology tools can be effective and time saving assets to incorporate into your emergency response kit. View some tech options and online resources to consider adopting to help preserve your library's collections in this full article.  
 
This article is a part of the CARLI Preservation Committee's FY24 Disaster Planning 101 blog series.

Other Library News

Offer to CARLI Members from Library Juice Academy

Library Juice Academy is pleased to offer CARLI member libraries a 20% discount on online courses for librarians, archivists, and library staff. Course topics include cataloging, social media, controlled vocabularies, technology, metadata, digital curation, OER, instructional design, digital humanities, artificial intelligence, and more. 
 
Contact CARLI Support to obtain the discount code that you can use at checkout. Thank you to Library Juice Academy for supporting our professional development goals!

Invitation to Attend OCLC In-Person Info Session

Illinois libraries are invited to attend an in-person, informational meeting hosted by OCLC at several locations in Illinois being held in April 2024. During this in-person info session you will find out:

  • How OCLC supports the goals of our Illinois library groups
  • What your library can do to amplify your existing OCLC Cataloging, Resource Sharing, and FirstSearch services
  • About available resources from OCLC and the member community

Three sessions are available.  

  • Tuesday, April 23 - Moraine Valley Community College - 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, April 24 - Champaign Public Library - 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. 
  • Thursday, April 25 - Harper College - 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Plan to attend to learn how to take advantage of this valuable, unique relationship between Illinois libraries and OCLC. RSVP is required. A box lunch will be provided.

Upcoming CARLI Events and Meetings

Consult the CARLI calendar to view the current list of meeting times and locations.

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