2015 Charleston Library Conference

Presenters will share examples of innovative library approaches to supporting and leading Open Educational Resources (OER) adoption efforts at institutions of higher education across Virginia. Statewide initiatives on OER include a unique blend of administrative and grassroots organizations that work hand in hand to leverage the economic benefits and educational advantages of open educational resources. Attendees can expect to hear about grant-funded OER initiatives currently underway; building a supportive, flexible, cross-institutional librarian training community; the rationale, risks, and opportunities for the librarian as open licensing consultant, trainer, and advocate; growing pains; and surprising connections between OER and scholarly communication. Attendees will be challenged to think about current teaching, research, and library practices and policies that prevent discourse sharing and will leave with new ideas about deeper collaboration with entities outside of their institution.