Our Projects
Shared Services feasibility study into the library systems landscape in UK Higher Education. The study was commissioned by SCONUL and funded by HEFCE. Ken Chad worked in partnership with Sero Consulting (project lead) and Curtis + Cartwright. There is more information on the Shared Services page of HELibtech
The Preservation and Management of Primary Research Data in UK Higher Education. Our project mapped and analysed the current situation.
Realigning Library Systems. We worked with the John Rylands University Library (JRUL) in Manchester – one of the world’s major research libraries – to help them re-align their sytems to support a new library and instritutional strategy. We looked at a wide range of systems including discovery systems, the library management system LMS), archives, imaging and the institutional repository (IR).
National digital library : Pakistan. Ken Chad facilitated workshops encompassing over 30 institutions to help improve the library infrastructure. They were organised by the charity International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publication (INASP) and the Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The library systems markets in the Nordic Region, Europe and South Africa. The work was undertaken for a major global technology company.
Higher Education Library Technology wiki. SCONUL (Society of College National & University Libraries) employed Ken Chad consulting to set up and manage the HELibTech website. HELibTech provides data on library technologies used in UK HE and has articles on major library technology related issues.
Local Government Library Technology wiki (LGLibTech) Ken Chad Consulting setup up this resource and act as ’Wikimaster’. LGLibTech provides data on library technologies used in UK public libraries and has articles on major library technology related issues.
Making a Business Case for Library Technology Change. We helped a UK University make a robust business case for major changes in their library technology systems and infrastructure.
User Activity Data. The JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) MOSAIC Project investigated the technical feasibility, service value and issues around exploiting user activity data, primarily to assist resource discovery and evaluation in Higher Education. Ken Chad Consulting worked in partnership with Sero Consulting, Mark van Harmelen (PLE Ltd), Paul Miller (Cloud of Data) and Dave Pattern (University of Huddersfield).
Advice to the House of Lords Library on current library-related technology and the state of the Library Management System market. We also facilitated workshops to engage library staff in the process, to promote team building and identify key system related needs prior to the library beginning a formal procurement process
Evaluation of Strategies for Library Systems. A UK research library commissioned this study (completed in 2008) to assist in achieving the best return on investment for future library technology decisions, taking into consideration the broader institutional, HE and global contexts
Systems and strategies for electronic resources. A major UK HE institution and global brand has commissioned Ken Chad to evaluate workflows and systems related to the management of electronic resources. The study completed in June 09
A JISC & SCONUL commissioned evaluation and horizon scan of the HE LMS landscape. The project concluded in April 2008 and covers HE Institutions across the UK. Ken Chad Consulting was part of a highly experienced multi-disciplinary team that also included Sero Consulting, and Glenaffric.
The impact of technology on a planned joint university and public library. A leading UK construction company commissioned this study. The review considered the strategic implications of new technologies and included a detailed review of the options for RFID (Radio Frequency ID) .
Evaluation of library system replacement options. We worked with a UK HE library to help select the best replacement for their end-of-life Library Management System.
Research Information Network: bibliographic data creation and flow patterns. The broad aims of this project, completed in 2009 were to identify and map the current arrangements through which bibliographic records are created and the flow between publishers, libraries and other service providers in the UK . The result was the RIN report ‘Creating Catalogues: bibliograhic records in a networked world’.
A JISC project on Library 2.0 and the e-framework for learning. The ‘TILE’ project began in March and completed in the summer of 2008. Ken Chad Consulting was part of a highly experienced multi-disciplinary team that also included Sero Consulting and Psydev Ltd.