Knowledge exchange week at the University of Edinburgh

Deputy Director Anna Masemola and Special Collections Coordinator Nikki Haw were invited to participate in the University of Edinburgh's 2024 Knowledge Exchange Week (KEW) from 27 to 31 May. This event provided a unique platform for library and cultural heritage professionals of various backgrounds and career stages to learn about the University of Edinburgh’s initiatives and share knowledge and best practices with colleagues globally. Participants from across the UK and Europe engaged in discussions on the current work and challenges facing the sector.

Key priority areas identified early in the week were open access and accessibility. These priorities are central to nearly all of the University of Edinburgh Library’s programmes, from general collection development to decolonising collections. Notably, all university heritage collections - including museum, art, archival, and rare book collections - are managed under the University of Edinburgh Heritage Collections. This structure promotes close collaboration among units with overlapping interests and programmes. Digitisation and digital collections are a significant focus of the Heritage Collections unit, with a strong emphasis on open access and accessibility. There is a close partnership between the Heritage Collections, Conservation, and Digitisation units, each playing a crucial role in digitising items while ensuring their stability and integrity.

The University of Edinburgh is actively engaged in several programmes:

• Diversifying and Decolonising Collections and Research: This is integrated into the library's development policy and is not a standalone activity. It informs new acquisitions and addresses the legacy of Western research bias in existing print collections. The library is involved in repatriation and restitution efforts and works to decolonise library research by acknowledging and teaching about historical biases in information creation, discovery, and organisation, such as cataloguing and classification practices. They also assist academic staff in diversifying reading and resource lists.

• Community Engagement and Services: Given its physical presence in the city of Edinburgh, the university prioritises community engagement. They have a strong programme with prison services and are committed to making their collections accessible to the community, which presents challenges regarding what can be taken off-site. To address this, resources like facsimiles, 3D printing, and videos of objects are extensively used.

• Accessibility and Inclusion: The library prioritises open access, open research, diversity, and inclusion. This includes ensuring accessibility for differently-abled people and providing visible support for LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as promoting gender and race equality.

It was particularly insightful to observe how academic libraries worldwide face similar challenges and work towards shared goals. This underscored the value of collaboration across institutions, both nationally and internationally. We were grateful for the opportunity to participate in the 2024 Knowledge Exchange Week.