1. Talis Insight 2016
The less we talk about libraries the
better ..
Nick Bevan
Pro-Vice Chancellor, Director of Library and Student
Support, Middlesex University

2. © Middlesex University Gary Stevens. Jean-Luc Godard at Berkeley, 1968. Source: Flickr | 2
A story should have a beginning, a middle and an end,
but not necessarily in that order

3. © Middlesex University Presentation title | 3

4. © Middlesex University Presentation title | 4

5. © Middlesex University | 5

6. © Middlesex University Presentation title | 6

7. © Middlesex University
Proposition 1:The big intractable library
problems are now about research.We should
have sorted out teaching support as all the tools
are within our reach
Uniinnsbruck. Lecture Hall. Source: Flickr | 7

8. © Middlesex University
2. Universities fail students when they work in
silos and fail to view course delivery and support
as a system
Doc Searls. Silos. Source: Flickr | 8

9. © Middlesex University
3.We have failed to
address digital
literacy as we have
been too focused
on information
literacy
Robin Hutton. Digital literacy. Source: Flickr | 9

10. © Middlesex University Classic Film. Illustrated 1947 ad. Source: Flickr | 10
4. Librarians’ recent engagement with
employability is therefore partly misguided

11. © Middlesex University
5.The Library is now just another learning space
(so why aren’t librarians more interested in
learning spaces generally?)
| 11

12. © Middlesex University | 12
6. “Content” and “assessment” will
increasingly merge in a digital context

13. © Middlesex University Makou0629. Spectrum analysis. Source: Flickr | 13
7. Data is key … but it is
complex … and it is not about
libraries

14. © Middlesex University
8. The less University senior managers talk
about libraries the better; the less we talk about
libraries the better
Nastya Leontieva. Silence. Source: Flickr | 14

15. © Middlesex University | 15
1. We should have sorted out teaching support …
2. Universities fail students when they work in silos …
3. We have failed to address digital literacy as we have been too
focused on information literacy
4. Our recent engagement with employability is partly
misguided
5. Why aren’t librarians more interested in learning spaces?
6. “Content” and “assessment” will increasingly merge
7. Data is key … but complex … and it is not about libraries
8. The less University senior managers talk about libraries the
better; the less we talk about libraries the better

16. © Middlesex University Legosz. Future. Source: Flickr. Colours changed | 16
1. It is not about pushing the library up the agenda,
it is about focusing on getting systems in place
and working seamlessly for students
2. We need to fully engage with the University’s
teaching and learning strategy and show how we
can help deliver it
3. Let’s look outside our domain and see where we
can best apply our skills to make a difference

17. © Middlesex University
“The railroads … let others take customers
away from them because they assumed
themselves to be in the railroad business rather
than in the transportation business.” (Levitt)
Still from Buster Keaton "The General" | 17