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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This week's ALN Staff Development Weekly Update is ready to view. It's got the usual opportunities to get involved in ALN & external activities plus regional vacancies, as well as a short survey on how libraries decide on funding open access from OBC: academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/staff-develo...

academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk

Staff Development Weekly Update - Academic Libraries North

This weekly update is intended to keep you up to date on ALN's staff development programme; to highlight interesting initiatives being undertaken by ALN or

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

This week's ALN Staff Development Weekly Update is ready to view. It's got the usual opportunities to get involved in ALN & external activities plus regional vacancies, also a last chance to join the relationship management conference planning group: academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/staff-develo...

academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk

Staff Development Weekly Update - Academic Libraries North

This weekly update is intended to keep you up to date on ALN's staff development programme; to highlight interesting initiatives being undertaken by ALN or

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Read the outputs of some of the ALN EDI Innovation Fund projects in this week's ALN Staff Development Weekly Update, as well as the usual regional vacancies and opportunities to get involved in ALN activities: academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/staff-develo...

academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk

Staff Development Weekly Update - Academic Libraries North

This weekly update is intended to keep you up to date on ALN's staff development programme; to highlight interesting initiatives being undertaken by ALN or

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

This week's ALN Staff Development Update is now available, with some internal and external events & opportunities, and ways you can get involved with ALN and more widely: academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/staff-develo...

Photographs show images from several of the ALN conference short papers, the networking areas and screens of information from presentations.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended our in person day yesterday- the delegates, sponsored places, presenters & keynote, and our sponsors for making #ALN26 amazing. We hope to see you again next year!

A collection of photographs from the ALN Conference in person day featuring people networking, screens with slides on them, workshops, the keynote, and the desserts table at lunch.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

#ALN26 kicking off with Rachel Beckett of MMU giving us a welcome to the event. (To a considerably less empty auditorium)

A lecture theatre with a screen at the front showing Reimagining Openness in Academic Libraries.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Almost time for #ALN26. You can get your own (virtual) ALN passport by taking part in our competition when you get here.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

There once was a soul who went forth, To Academic Libraries North When asked if they'd be At the Poetry Library They immediately answered "of courth" Want a place on one of our limited visits to the Poetry Library during #ALN26? Please reserve a space at the desk during Registration.

The front of MMU's Poetry Library in sunshine.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

You can get a flavour on the number of events, popular training sessions & our activities on our new "ALN 2025 in numbers infographic". Hopefully providing a good summary of all the great things we've offered last year. Looking forward to releasing new events soon academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/about/

academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk

About - Academic Libraries North

Academic Libraries North was formed in January 2021 by the coming together of two successful and dynamic regional consortia, the Northern Collaboration and

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Travelling to #ALN26 next week? From Victoria you can go via Deansgate by the amazing John Rylands Library, or Central Library via St Peters' Square. Piccadilly? Maybe walking via the Vimto statue will refresh you? Oxford Road is on the venue's doorstep- but can you spot the space invaders en route?

An image of various Manchhester landmarks layered on top of each other. In the foreground is the Vimto statue. Behind this is Central Library. Behind this is the Dalton building. Behind this the John Rylands Library. Behind this is Old Trafford, the Beetham Tower and the Emirates. A mosaic bee is poking out from behind the tower, with a cloudy sky in the background.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Time to start thinking about next week's #ALN26 in-person day and what you need in your conference survival kit. Last year the venue was wonderfully air conditioned but the train home was not! What are your essentials? A good book for the train?

A wobble cushion, an open notebook, a watercolour bottle with the aurora borealis on it, an open paper fan and a blue lanyard against green fleece.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Thanks to our speakers, sponsors and everyone who attended #ALN26 today. We hope you enjoyed the event despite the technical issues and the heat and can now relax somewhere cool with a refreshing beverage. We look forward to seeing some of you at our in-person day in Manchester in July.

A martini glass full of vibrant pink liquid with a cocktail stick with two cocktail cherries on it resting in it against a black cloth background.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

A special thanks again to two of our of #ALN26 sponsors for gifting two competition prizes for our online conference today ⭐⭐@kortext.bsky.social and @tandfresearch.bsky.social

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

#ALN26 3B: Open to all? Practical steps to make e‑resources genuinely usable @dulib.bsky.social Opening the doors wider: how academic libraries can support carers as workers, learners, and visitors @dulib.bsky.social #openaccess #accessibility #libraries

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

#ALN26 cont. 3A: From ideas to actions: how HE libraries can support refugees and asylum seekers in local communities @wellcomecollection.bsky.social Developing an Equality Impact Assessment: a case study of Gypsy / Roma / Traveller History Month engagement activities at @ducollections.bsky.social

Colourful sign made of wooden slats with the word welcome. Photo by Belinda Fewings via Unsplash

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

We'd like to thank delegates and speakers for their patience with today's tech issues at #ALN26 and us shuffling everyone back and forth between rooms. Please check the access links doc for the latest locations and we hope the afternoon runs smooth while we continue to play whack-a-mole with Teams.

static.klipy.com

Cute Cat Plays Whack-A-Mole Game

Alt: Cat Plays Whack-A-Mole Game trying to catch human finger in cardboard box

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Reposted by Academic Libraries North (ALN)

Katharine Davidson-Brown @libraritron.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

how to reframe support and equity - make it difficult for staff to act in ways that don't support our users #ALN26

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Katharine Davidson-Brown @libraritron.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

we have a moral duty to provide equitable access to everyone we serve #ALN26

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Katharine Davidson-Brown @libraritron.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Accessibility is not a problem you solve once. It's an ongoing relationship #ALN26

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

If you are attending or following #ALN26 - do send in any competition photos to our email and you can view them on our Instagram stories: www.instagram.com/academiclibr...

Poster advertising our the ALN26 Letters Competition. Features 4 photographs of office supplied that spell out the word open. ALN thank delegates for all the submission so far.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

@elysegirard.bsky.social speaking at #ALN26: Libraries being open and available to the communities we serve is not an aspiration but an institutional commitment.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Delegates had questions and have definitely been inspired by you and Billy 🐝 - thank for sharing your lovely open (and yellow!) project with #ALN26 today 💛

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Thanks @ajpickering.bsky.social - the breaks have been enjoyed to top up drinks and indulge in ice cream/lollies. Hoping laptops and PCs cope in the heat too! #ALN26 #hotconference #notacardyinsight

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

#ALN26 2A: Student partnership in the creation of accessible library guides (Univ. of Chester Library); Library induction: engaging non-campus-based students through flexible resources @hallamlibrary.bsky.social; Moving beyond discussion: open philosophies into practice @uomlibrary.bsky.social

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Session 1B for #ALN26 papers Beyond advocacy: designing sustainable and ethical Open Research @hallamlibrary.bsky.social Investigating the link between open access repositories and citation impact @livunilibrary.bsky.social #openresearch #openaccess

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Yes, we do too...really strong way of capturing the ethos of the #openaccess movement #ALN26

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Parallel sessions for #ALN26 now - here's what our delegates have to choose from... Session 1A Student wellbeing: a year round commitment @libraritron.bsky.social Exploring accessibility through sensory mapping @lborouniversity.bsky.social

Billy Bee from Durham University Library showing off different wellbeing spaces and activities in their buildings, including jigsaws, diverse book collection and comfy seating.

An example sensory map from Loughborough University Library

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

@stephenpinfield keynote question on #generativeAI treat it with caution, with criticism, especially in relation to #scholarlypublications. Two-facedness of GenAI - benefits AND challenges need to be swiftly explored. Publishers research funders report an increase in agentic AI submissions. #ALN26

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Open Research Leeds @openresleeds.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Epistemic openness can involve engagement between conventional scientific knowledge and indigenous knowledges can yield fruitfuk results e.g. -Environmental management -Biodiversity -Sustainable agriculture -Fisheries management #ALN26

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Open Research Leeds @openresleeds.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

"Scientific openness" (OA and other forms of open research) is necessary but not sufficient to achieve a global OA which is effective and equitable. @stephenpinfield.bsky.social argues we also need epistemic openness AND participatory openness #ALN26

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Open Research Leeds @openresleeds.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The MORPHSS project @morphss.bsky.social "Materialising Open Research Practices in the Humanities and Social Sciences" morphss.hcommons.org #ALN26

morphss.hcommons.org

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

#ALN26 keynote speech, where @stephenpinfield.bsky.social has provided informative slides with helpful further reading. This talk draws on his 2024 book www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-mon... which is, of course, published by @routledgebooks.bsky.social #openaccess with @creativecommons.bsky.social

Front cover of Stephen Pinfield's book entitle Achieving Global Open Access

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Open Research Leeds @openresleeds.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

#OpenAccess has long been seen as an unequivocal good🔏 More recent critiques include: 1. Imposing inappropriate and unsustainable business and publishing models 2. Perpetuating and exacerbating inequalities 3. Imposing oppressive forms of knowledge on the Global South - epistemic injustive #ALN26

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Great to see many people signed in for the #ALN26 conference today. Our keynote speaker today is @stephenpinfield.bsky.social talking about Effective and Equitable Global Open Access - growth in open access flourished in STEM subjects... (cont.) #open #openaccess #HElibraries

Effective and equitable global open access presentation slide. Stephen Pinfield from University of Sheffield and Research on Research Institute (RoRI)

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Open Research Leeds @openresleeds.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Looking forward to online day #ALN26 today, ahead of in person event in Manchester on 6th July academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/conference/a... Keynote this morning from @stephenpinfield.bsky.social: "Effective and Equitable Global Open Access"

academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk

ALN Conference 2026 - Academic Libraries North

All delegates, speakers and sponsors have been emailed the delegate brochure with relevant links to access the online conference via Teams. Please email us

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White Rose Libraries @whiteroselibraries.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Great to see @nickshepp.bsky.social from the Leeds Open Research Team, a WRL collaborator, presenting at @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social on connecting the "opens". A topic closely aligned with WRUP's mission and the role of repositories in supporting equitable access to knowledge!

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

#ALN26 online is this week! What do you have in your online conference survival kit?- Water, snacks, seating comfort, fidget toys, notepad and pen(s)- what are your essentials? Not forgetting the end of day celebratory ice cream/fizzy drink!

A lined notebook with "ALN Online Day" and "24th June 2026" handwritten on the top line is open with a black pen leant against it. Both are propped upright against a black rubber wobble cushion, next to a quarter full water bottle and a tub containing pomegranate seeds with a spoon in it. All items are in the seat of a chair draped in dark green fleece.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

You can still buy tickets for the ALN conference (online closes 22nd & in person or both days closes 21st) There's a bulk buy discount option (valid on purchases for 5 or more in person only or both days tickets). Head to www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/academic-l... to book!

A white background the text "Our in person day is in Manchester" with an asterisk followed by a photo of the Manchester skyline at a distance with a large orange arrow pointing down. Below the photo in smaller text is the asterisk and a note "please do not use this photo for navigational purposes". Below that in larger text is "But our online day can be wherever you want in the galaxy!" with two asterisks and a photo of a starry night or galaxy petunia. Below that in smaller text is two asterisks and the text "provided location in galaxy is somewhere you can get to with internet access".

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

The ALN cat says please let me in. Wait, let me out. Now I need to come in again. Book tickets* for #ALN26. NOW I NEED TO BE OUTSIDE AGAIN. *via www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/academic-l...

An image of a white wooden door, which is closed. A fluffy orange and white cat is stretched up against it, facing away. Text above the cat reads "Please reimagine the openness...", below it reads "...of this door"

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Time to start thinking seriously about next week's #ALN26 online day and what you need in your online conference survival kit!- Water, snacks, seating comfort, fidget toys, notepad and pen(s)- what are your essentials? Not forgetting the end of day celebratory ice cream/fizzy drink!

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Pete Smith @reddite.eurosky.social · 16/06/2026

Getting prepped for @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social ...

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Tanya Williamson @tanyalibrarian.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I'm presenting at @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social conference 2026 with @nickshepp.bsky.social about the @knowledgeen.bsky.social #KnowledgeEquity & #OpenScholarship Week #CoCreation experiment. Bookings are open: academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/conference/a...

Experimenting with co-creation to bridge the 'Opens'

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Early Birds have booked on already but you can still buy tickets for the #ALN26 (online til 22nd & in person or both days til 21st) If sending a group of 5 or more to our in person or both days then you can still get a bulk buy discount. More details academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/conference/a...

A graphic with a pale blue background and a 3 by 4 grid of bird pictures, showing a Hummingbird, a Great Tit, a Robin, a Puffin, a Barn Owl, a Tui bird, a Stork, a Seagull, a Northern cardinal, a Stonechat, a Tern and a Red Kite.

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Academic Libraries North (ALN) @academiclibsnorth.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Our algorithm* has informed us that there's still time to book tickets to #ALN26 *Our ALN conference team colleague

A black background with old-style computer text in green. This reads "Reimagining Openness in Academic Libraries. Online: 24th June, In-person: 6th July. Book your tickets now"

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