“This collaborative agreement arises from connections established between UvA Library and UC San Diego Library in computing and data science,” said Erik Mitchell, Audrey Geisel University Librarian at UC San Diego. “We are excited to formalise this partnership, as it aligns with our vision of fostering global collaboration to extend the impact of libraries in higher education. It’s a significant step in our ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of what libraries can achieve in a digital age.”

The partnership offers opportunities in various areas, including:

1. Expertise exchange between the libraries to foster greater understanding and professional growth;
2. Exploration of areas of importance in libraries including data management and curation data publishing and support for data-intensive research;
3. Exploration of the transformation of libraries in a digital age;
4. Exploration of potential future collaborative activities.
5. Exchange of researchers, staff, and personnel.

The agreement has a term of five years and provides scope for further, more specific agreements regarding collaboration, with attention to intellectual property and funding. This partnership highlights the UvA Library’s commitment to playing a leading role in the digital transformation of libraries and contributing to global research.

Fred Weerman, Acting Director of UvA Library: “By signing this memorandum of understanding, we are building a bridge between two organisations with the same goal. We are shaping the libraries of the future by sharing expertise and insights. This collaboration offers us the chance to learn, grow, and transform in the digital world. Together, we are creating a global network of knowledge and innovation.”

Both university libraries are preparing to launch the collaboration in the coming months, with plans to engage staff, researchers, and experts from both institutions to begin exploring the initiatives outlined in the agreement.

About UC San Diego Library

Ranked among the nation's top public academic libraries, the UC San Diego Library plays a critical role in advancing and supporting the university's missions in research, teaching, patient care, and public service. The world-renowned research for which UC San Diego is known begins at the UC San Diego Library, providing the foundation of knowledge necessary to drive groundbreaking discoveries in a wide range of disciplines, from healthcare and science to public policy and the arts.

About UvA/AUAS Library

The UvA/AUAS Library strives for a future where information flows freely, and students and staff of the University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences develop themselves and contribute to tomorrow’s world. The Library provides 24/7 access to professionally curated collections and millions of global resources. The robust infrastructure, including repositories, combined with expert staff, offers solid support in areas such as information literacy, open science, open education, research data management, research impact, licensing, and copyrights.