Libraries and The Move to Transparency

So much of library workflow and usage is shrouded from public view, sometimes due to the interest of protecting patron privacy, sometimes due to the assumption that the patron or the public would have no interest in knowing the process. At the same time, trust is most easily generated in the context of transparency. For example, the public needs to understand and trust the weeding process and/or the rationale behind off-site storage. What does your community understand or need to learn about the ways in which libraries operate in order to trust the library more fully? How can vendors and service providers support more transparency to users?

This event will take the form of a round-table discussion.

Roundtable Participants: Michael Levine-Clark, Dean of Libraries, University of Denver; Sian Brannon, Associate Dean for Collection Management, University of North Texas; Sue Polanka, University Librarian, Wright State University; Jon Shaw, Associate Vice Provost & Deputy University Librarian, University of Pennsylvania Libraries; Julie Griffin, Senior Associate Dean, and Michael Kucsak, Assistant Dean & Chief of Staff, University Libraries, Virginia Tech