Learn how to negotiate for a more sustainable future

Abstract

Do you negotiate for resources or services for your library? Did you have to learn negotiation skills and strategies on the job? Did you never imagine that you’d have to understand the nitty gritty of contracts and licensing? If so, you will leave this session aware of a new free resource and community that can support you in developing your negotiation knowledge and skills. The ONEAL Project has developed a new open educational resource (OER) that includes lectures, readings, assessments, and hand-on assignments where learners will not only learn negotiation best practices and strategies but will also begin doing preparation work that can be immediately applied when negotiating on the job. In addition to learning about this resource attendees will learn about the community being created to provide support for library professionals as well as key issues and trends uncovered during community forums and through an interview research study. Note that the project has focused on creating content for academic libraries (community colleges, liberal arts colleges, universities, and related consortia) and MLIS programs wishing to teach this skill set. While the content developed around licensing is geared toward an academic audience, the negotiation strategy and planning techniques in the OER are widely applicable across all types of libraries. The Open Negotiation for Academic Libraries (ONEAL) project has been generously funded through the IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.

Learning Objectives:

Describe key issues facing library professionals as they negotiate with vendors. Access an open educational resource that will enable them to plan and execute strategic negotiations. Find a community that can support their efforts as they navigate sticky issues during negotiations.