Society of College, National and University Libraries

Society of College, National and University Libraries, also known as SCONUL, is a United Kingdom-based organization that aims to promote and support the work of university libraries and college libraries across the country, including institutions like the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London. The organization has been a key player in the development of library services in the UK, working closely with other organizations such as the British Library, National Library of Scotland, and National Library of Wales. SCONUL has also collaborated with international organizations like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) to advance the interests of academic libraries globally, including those at Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● History

The Society of College, National and University Libraries was founded in 1950, with the goal of promoting cooperation and collaboration among university libraries and college libraries in the United Kingdom, including institutions like the University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, and University of Birmingham. Over the years, SCONUL has played a significant role in shaping the development of library services in the UK, working closely with other organizations such as the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Scottish Funding Council (SFC), and Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW). SCONUL has also been involved in various initiatives and projects, such as the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) and the Research Libraries UK (RLUK) consortium, which includes members like the Bodleian Library, Cambridge University Library, and National Library of Scotland. Additionally, SCONUL has collaborated with other organizations, including the Society of Archivists, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), and the Library and Information Association (LIA), to promote the interests of library and information professionals in the UK.

● Organization

The Society of College, National and University Libraries is a membership-based organization, with a governing body that includes representatives from university libraries and college libraries across the United Kingdom, such as the University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, and University of Sheffield. SCONUL is headquartered in London, and has a small team of staff who work to support the organization's activities and initiatives, including collaborations with other organizations like the British Academy, Royal Society, and Academy of Social Sciences. The organization is also divided into several committees and working groups, which focus on specific areas such as library management, information technology, and collection development, and include members from institutions like the London School of Economics, University College London, and King's College London. These committees and working groups work to promote best practices and share knowledge and expertise among SCONUL members, including those from University of Bristol, University of Nottingham, and University of Southampton.

● Activities

The Society of College, National and University Libraries is involved in a wide range of activities, including conferences, seminars, and workshops, which provide opportunities for library professionals to share knowledge and expertise, and include speakers from institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, and Columbia University. SCONUL also undertakes research and development projects, such as the SCONUL Research Report series, which explores topics like library space planning, information literacy, and digital scholarship, and includes contributions from experts at University of Toronto, University of Melbourne, and National University of Singapore. Additionally, the organization provides training and development opportunities for library staff, including programs like the SCONUL Leadership Programme and the SCONUL Digital Scholarship Programme, which have been delivered in partnership with institutions like the University of Warwick, University of Sussex, and University of Essex. SCONUL has also collaborated with other organizations, such as the Jisc, Eduserv, and OCLC, to advance the use of technology in libraries and promote digital preservation initiatives, including those at Stanford University Libraries and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries.

● Membership

Membership in the Society of College, National and University Libraries is open to university libraries and college libraries in the United Kingdom, including institutions like the University of Glasgow, University of Aberdeen, and University of Dundee. SCONUL members include many of the UK's leading research libraries, such as the British Library, National Library of Scotland, and National Library of Wales, as well as smaller college libraries and special libraries, like the London Library and the National Art Library. Members benefit from access to SCONUL's networking opportunities, training and development programs, and research and publication initiatives, including collaborations with international organizations like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). SCONUL members also have the opportunity to participate in the organization's committees and working groups, which focus on specific areas like library management, information technology, and collection development, and include members from institutions like the University of York, University of Lancaster, and University of East Anglia.

● Publications

The Society of College, National and University Libraries publishes a range of materials, including reports, guidelines, and briefings, on topics like library management, information technology, and collection development, and includes contributions from experts at University of California, Los Angeles, University of Chicago, and University of Pennsylvania. SCONUL also produces a regular newsletter, which provides updates on the organization's activities and initiatives, and includes news from institutions like the University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, and University of Leeds. Additionally, the organization publishes research reports and case studies on topics like library space planning, information literacy, and digital scholarship, which have been delivered in partnership with institutions like the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London. SCONUL's publications are widely read and respected in the library community, and are often cited in academic literature and professional journals, including the Journal of Academic Librarianship, Library and Information Science Research, and College and Research Libraries.