OCLC EMEA Regional Council Meeting 2014 announced24 and 25 February 2014
Member librarians from nearly 30 countries are expected to join us in Cape Town next February. Why? Because the OCLC EMEA Regional Council Meeting offers a rare chance to move outside the regular circuit of national library conferences and engage in some new conversations. The Meeting is becoming a must-attend event for those libraries who are seeking wider collaboration opportunities, and next year we expect to extend our welcome even wider as we hold it for the first time in Africa.The theme is “Library Community in Action: advancing knowledge, cooperation and innovation” and will address the importance of community – exploring how a cooperative approach can make a difference and what greater collaboration between libraries can really offer in the context of sharing and innovation.The EMEA Regional Council Executive Committee is delighted to announce the first keynote will be Charles Leadbeater, one of the world’s leading authorities on innovation and creativity. He has advised companies, cities and governments around the world on innovation strategy. Mr Leadbeater is the author of “We-think: the power of mass creativity”, which charts the rise of mass, participative approaches to innovation from science and open source software, to computer games and political campaigning. He has also worked extensively as a senior adviser to the U.K. government and the European Commission on the rise of the knowledge-driven economy and the Internet.I can think of nothing more fitting for our first OCLC EMEA Regional Council Meeting in Africa than to have a theme that is inspired by the African proverb, ‘if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together’. In addition to hearing renowned international speakers address the topic, we will learn about member-led activities from across our region, spotlighting initiatives in research, advocacy, shared services, technology and innovation.”Our Meeting will take place in Cape Town on 24 and 25 February 2014 at the International Convention Centre. Further announcements on the program will follow shortly. The event is free to attend and librarians from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa are welcome. To register interest in attending, go to the event website, and staff at OCLC will contact you when further information becomes available.We hope you can join us and share our beautiful South African summer with us.Kind regards,Robert Moropa,Chair, OCLC EMEA Regional Council