Expand Your Collection Horizons with Negotiation Skill Development to Address Today and Tomorrow’s Challenges

Abstract

Learning negotiation skills allows library workers and vendors to have more productive conversations that create more options. This allows libraries to better meet their stakeholder needs while fostering a sustainable relationship with resource vendors. However, this is a skill set that is largely learned while on the job, or through continuing education opportunities that may be costly, and may not be library focused. In addition, many library workers feel anxiety around the process of negotiations. The IMLS funded ONEAL Project (Open Negotiation for Academic Libraries) wishes to empower library workers through an open online curriculum to teach these skills. This session introduced the Foundations learning module launched in April 2024 as well as the brand-new Strategies module launching in early 2025 which dives deeper into strategies (setting priorities, internal stakeholder management, and contracts & licensing strategy). Library licensing rarely keeps up with technology and new directions in research, for which the project is developing modules to help address current hot topics, such as artificial intelligence and privacy/surveillance. Attendees were provided with a list of available resources to support learning about negotiating hot topics. This session provided opportunities for discussion, including allowing the audience to share their own experiences around negotiations and what they find most challenging. Negotiation skill best practices introduced in the curriculum are widely applicable to all types of libraries. Video of presentation available at: https://youtu.be/Xy7NJAQaaXo?si=TpBS5RG0ZD07sN7t