CNI as an Idea Factory: An Appreciation of Clifford Lynch

Abstract

This article offers an appreciation of the work of Clifford Lynch upon his retirement as the executive director of the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI). It begins by identifying Lynch’s “superpowers”—his intellectual capacity, strategic vision, and collaborative spirit in advancing scholarship in the digital age. The article traces the development of these abilities from Clifford’s early work on MELVYL, the University of California’s online catalog system, through the early days of CNI. By the time he became executive director, Clifford had perfected a holistic approach of considering cultural and social as well as technological factors when addressing challenges in the networked information environment. He applied this approach to a bundle of complex and interrelated issues that affect scholarly work. CNI’s work as a “factory of ideas” to address these issues will surely comprise a substantial part of Clifford’s legacy.