At work, when we receive positive feedback from customers, we like to share them internally with staff. This one was quite powerful so I thought I'd share it more widely. (The note has been edited to protect people's privacy).
Just a note to mention a good news story that occurred this morning at the library. I signed a lady up as a new member and after explaining our free internet policy for members ~ including the wireless access as she had her own laptop ~ she started to cry. I asked if she was ok? and she said she was just so happy to hear of our internet service and cheap printing, as she has not been able to afford internet access or printer at home and was overwhelmed as she lives locally and can pop down here now when ever she needs to.
The services we provide do make a difference in people's lives.
If you're not already aware of Feel-good librarian, check it out for more positive stories.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Friday, March 04, 2011
2010 Reading
I've never kept a list of books I've read, until last year. I can't remember exactly why, but was partly due to encouragement by a colleague, and a desire to play around with an online service like LibraryThing.
I started many more books, but don't finish them if I'm not enjoying them.
So, for what it's worth (and publicly sharing) - my list of completed (and therefore recommended) books for 2010.
Sir Edmund Hillary: An Extraordinary Life by Alexa Johnston
I bought this at the Edmund Hillary museum at Mt Cook in New Zealand, after being inspired by his accomplishments. I only ever knew him for being famous for climbing *that* mountain, and didn't realise how much more he did with his life. Inspirational read.
The secret life of wombats by James Woodford
I wanted to read this book ever since it came out, and was reminded of it after seeing wombats at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania in 2009. I like James Woodford's writing style, relaxed and very informative. The opening chapters alone are worth reading, for the story of schoolboy Peter Nicholson who snuck out from the school camp at night, to follow and crawl down wombat burrows.
Pirate Latitudes: A Novel by Michael Crichton
An easy light-weight novel. About pirates.
Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes
After reading this list of 20 core steampunk titles, I wanted to give a couple a try, and this was the first. I really liked it, and would try another novel by the author.
Mainspring by Jay Lake
The second steampunk title I tried, didn't like this one as much.
Legs on Everest : the full story of his most remarkable adventure yet by Mark Inglis
Also picked up from the Edmund Hillary museum. Mark Inglis was the first double amputee to reach the summit of Everest. Inspiring story.
Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived by Ralph Helfer
Apart from a small gripe about the writing style (a bit over the top), this is one of the most moving, extraordinary true stories I have ever read. Moved me to tears quite a few times.
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
The infamous Hannibal Lecter! Enjoyable reading.
Pay Off by Stephen Leather
I used to read a lot of this genre in high school and my early working years, and Jack Higgins was a favourite author. I think I've read better books by Stephen Leather, but this was a short, enjoyable read.
The Fat Duck Cookbook by Heston Blumenthal
The first third of this cookbook is a short autobiography of this amazing man's journey into food, cooking and science. The middle section is a cookbook with recipes and extensive, entertaining notes, and the final third contains a series of articles about the science behind food and cooking. Amazing reading. I've loved the few series we've seen on TV or DVD, including Heston's Feasts and Big Chef Take On Little Chef.
My Life in France by Julia Child
I picked this one off the library shelf on impulse, after liking the movie Julie & Julia. Julia Child's personality and style come through strongly as the narrator, and the book is the first things that has ever made me consider visiting France!
Chasers by James Phelan
Book 1 of a trilogy, aimed at young adults, in another old favourite genre / setting - apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction (some of my favourite books from primary school are John Christopher's Tripods trilogy and the Prince in Waiting trilogy). This book has a massive twist in the tail, totally unexpected. Can't wait for the next books!
David Attenborough's Life Stories by David Attenborough
Transcripts (but easily read, especially hearing David Attenborough's voice in your head) of a BBC radio show, covering all sorts of topics related to natural history. Plenty of illustrations. Very interesting.
The Great Barrier Reef by James Woodford
An interesting look at the state of the Great Barrier Reef.
I started many more books, but don't finish them if I'm not enjoying them.
So, for what it's worth (and publicly sharing) - my list of completed (and therefore recommended) books for 2010.
Sir Edmund Hillary: An Extraordinary Life by Alexa Johnston
I bought this at the Edmund Hillary museum at Mt Cook in New Zealand, after being inspired by his accomplishments. I only ever knew him for being famous for climbing *that* mountain, and didn't realise how much more he did with his life. Inspirational read.
The secret life of wombats by James Woodford
I wanted to read this book ever since it came out, and was reminded of it after seeing wombats at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania in 2009. I like James Woodford's writing style, relaxed and very informative. The opening chapters alone are worth reading, for the story of schoolboy Peter Nicholson who snuck out from the school camp at night, to follow and crawl down wombat burrows.
Pirate Latitudes: A Novel by Michael Crichton
An easy light-weight novel. About pirates.
Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes
After reading this list of 20 core steampunk titles, I wanted to give a couple a try, and this was the first. I really liked it, and would try another novel by the author.
Mainspring by Jay Lake
The second steampunk title I tried, didn't like this one as much.
Legs on Everest : the full story of his most remarkable adventure yet by Mark Inglis
Also picked up from the Edmund Hillary museum. Mark Inglis was the first double amputee to reach the summit of Everest. Inspiring story.
Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived by Ralph Helfer
Apart from a small gripe about the writing style (a bit over the top), this is one of the most moving, extraordinary true stories I have ever read. Moved me to tears quite a few times.
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
The infamous Hannibal Lecter! Enjoyable reading.
Pay Off by Stephen Leather
I used to read a lot of this genre in high school and my early working years, and Jack Higgins was a favourite author. I think I've read better books by Stephen Leather, but this was a short, enjoyable read.
The Fat Duck Cookbook by Heston Blumenthal
The first third of this cookbook is a short autobiography of this amazing man's journey into food, cooking and science. The middle section is a cookbook with recipes and extensive, entertaining notes, and the final third contains a series of articles about the science behind food and cooking. Amazing reading. I've loved the few series we've seen on TV or DVD, including Heston's Feasts and Big Chef Take On Little Chef.
My Life in France by Julia Child
I picked this one off the library shelf on impulse, after liking the movie Julie & Julia. Julia Child's personality and style come through strongly as the narrator, and the book is the first things that has ever made me consider visiting France!
Chasers by James Phelan
Book 1 of a trilogy, aimed at young adults, in another old favourite genre / setting - apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction (some of my favourite books from primary school are John Christopher's Tripods trilogy and the Prince in Waiting trilogy). This book has a massive twist in the tail, totally unexpected. Can't wait for the next books!
David Attenborough's Life Stories by David Attenborough
Transcripts (but easily read, especially hearing David Attenborough's voice in your head) of a BBC radio show, covering all sorts of topics related to natural history. Plenty of illustrations. Very interesting.
The Great Barrier Reef by James Woodford
An interesting look at the state of the Great Barrier Reef.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Time to move from a reactive to proactive online reference service?
I've just read that the AskNow virtual reference service will close on the 17th December 2010.
Excerpt from the email notice from the State Library of Queensland:
As a consequence of declining demand and the need to respond to changing patterns of library use, the AskNow service will close on 17th of December 2010. This decision was made following an eighteen month review by the National Libraries of Australia and New Zealand, and state and territory libraries in Australia.
One of the key reasons for the closure is the change, since the launch of Ask Now in 2002, in the information landscape. In a Web2.0 environment the evidence is that people are engaging with libraries in new ways and they are taking advantage of different service opportunities.
While AskNow has had many satisfied customers over the years, chat is a resource intensive service and decisions about its continued operation have been made in the context of significantly declining usage over the past five years. It is also acknowledged that the collaborative approach to staffing the service has been confusing for those people who expect to be chatting with a librarian at their local library.
I wonder if this is a good opportunity for the AskNow partners and participants to consider the idea of a proactive online reference service for Australians, that takes into account the changes in online behaviour and information seeking that has led to the decline in use of AskNow.
In brief, online services like Facebook and Twitter, and specific answer services like Yahoo Answers are filled with people asking their friends, families and followers all sorts of questions. Some of these questions aren't appropriate for a response by a library, but many are.
At my place of work we have been playing around with Twitter as an online information service. While we now use it to push information, our original intent (and still a core practice) was to watch, listen and search Twitter for questions about our local area, or topics that we could answer. Our hunch that some people were asking their friends and followers questions that could easily be answered by a public library was quickly confirmed, and so we replied to their tweets with information and links.
I realise that this service model is entirely different to AskNow, and that different software, techniques, policies etc would be needed. But what AskNow seems to have been very successful at is the collaboration of some serious library muscle to share the task of answering questions. Perhaps that muscle could be re-engineered into a proactive online reference service for Australians who are making the most of the opportunities and connections afforded by social networking sites and mobile devices.
Excerpt from the email notice from the State Library of Queensland:
As a consequence of declining demand and the need to respond to changing patterns of library use, the AskNow service will close on 17th of December 2010. This decision was made following an eighteen month review by the National Libraries of Australia and New Zealand, and state and territory libraries in Australia.
One of the key reasons for the closure is the change, since the launch of Ask Now in 2002, in the information landscape. In a Web2.0 environment the evidence is that people are engaging with libraries in new ways and they are taking advantage of different service opportunities.
While AskNow has had many satisfied customers over the years, chat is a resource intensive service and decisions about its continued operation have been made in the context of significantly declining usage over the past five years. It is also acknowledged that the collaborative approach to staffing the service has been confusing for those people who expect to be chatting with a librarian at their local library.
I wonder if this is a good opportunity for the AskNow partners and participants to consider the idea of a proactive online reference service for Australians, that takes into account the changes in online behaviour and information seeking that has led to the decline in use of AskNow.
In brief, online services like Facebook and Twitter, and specific answer services like Yahoo Answers are filled with people asking their friends, families and followers all sorts of questions. Some of these questions aren't appropriate for a response by a library, but many are.
At my place of work we have been playing around with Twitter as an online information service. While we now use it to push information, our original intent (and still a core practice) was to watch, listen and search Twitter for questions about our local area, or topics that we could answer. Our hunch that some people were asking their friends and followers questions that could easily be answered by a public library was quickly confirmed, and so we replied to their tweets with information and links.
I realise that this service model is entirely different to AskNow, and that different software, techniques, policies etc would be needed. But what AskNow seems to have been very successful at is the collaboration of some serious library muscle to share the task of answering questions. Perhaps that muscle could be re-engineered into a proactive online reference service for Australians who are making the most of the opportunities and connections afforded by social networking sites and mobile devices.
Friday, October 22, 2010
The future of library collections
Thanks to Jason Griffey for highlighting this talk by Eli Neiburger (@ulotrichous).
It one of the best talks I've seen recently, outlining the present and possible future of library collections by comparing the codex with other outmoded technologies. Well done Eli.
(The presentation was for Ebooks: Libraries at the Tipping Point, a virtual summit by Library Journal and School Library Journal).
It one of the best talks I've seen recently, outlining the present and possible future of library collections by comparing the codex with other outmoded technologies. Well done Eli.
(The presentation was for Ebooks: Libraries at the Tipping Point, a virtual summit by Library Journal and School Library Journal).
Friday, July 16, 2010
ALIA Access 2010 conference
Conference website: http://conferences.alia.org.au/access2010/What's the hashtag? http://wthashtag.com/Aliaaccess
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ALIAAccess
Twitter archive: http://twapperkeeper.com/hashtag/aliaaccess
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Current Cites and Longevity
Roy Tennant’s recent Library Journal post (On Longevity) celebrates the upcoming 20th birthday of Current Cites (CC). In his post, Roy ponders out loud about longevity, and proposes some thoughts about what it has taken for CC to survive and thrive for 20 years.
One of the genuine highlights of my library career so far, is the privilege of being a CC contributor. Prompted by Roy’s post, here are some thoughts of what CC has meant to my career so far, along with an addition to his formula for longevity.
I think I first discovered CC around 1999 / 2000, at the time I finished my library degree and started work as a professional librarian. CC became a ‘must-read’ as I attempted to get up to speed with library-related technology issues. Each issue of CC provided at least one article worth reading, and sometimes every article mentioned was worth tracking down. CC became one of those emails I frequently forwarded to colleagues, along with a strong recommendation to subscribe themselves. CC became available via RSS around the same time I was discovering feed readers, and so the feed was one of the first I added to my new Bloglines account.
In August 2008, Roy sent a brief note to the Web4Lib email list, inviting people to become contributors to CC. At that time I had done some writing for work, and was managing a small collaborative library-related writing initiative. I had written and presented one or two conference papers, and so was bold enough to email Roy a sample citation. His simple reply to me was “Welcome to the team!”. You couldn’t wipe the smile from my face for days! Since then, I’ve managed to contribute a few more cites, and I enjoyed meeting Roy at the VALA conference in Melbourne earlier this year. We had a great conversation over a meal, where he also introduced me to the delights of skordalia :-)
So what has CC meant to me?
- It gave me a wonderful introduction to library technology issues
- It has provided an avenue for me to write outside of my current work duties (even if they are short citations)
- It prompts me to scan the table of contents of peer-reviewed journals, reports and publications that I might otherwise skip over in my emails and RSS feeds
- My fellow CC contributors continue to provide a stream of interesting articles and publications that I don’t discover any other way
On Longevity - Based on these experiences with CC, I’d like to add one more idea to Roy’s list of longevity factors: Involve and encourage others. The willingness of Roy and other CC editors to invite and encourage folks like me to contribute to a project can be a contributing factor in ensuring longevity. Sometimes it can be hard letting someone else work on your pet project, but sharing the load, inviting others to be involved, and encouraging and developing your collaborators can be worthwhile task to help ensure longevity.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Promoting our library's use of Twitter
Two weeks ago I noticed a tweet by our local ABC radio station:
So I replied, letting them know about Townsville library using Twitter to answer questions:
A few more tweets and emails resulted in me meeting with Nathalie Fernbach, a Cross Media Reporter with the ABC. We had a great chat about the changing environment in journalism and libraries, especially with technology, social media and user-generated content. Some of our conversation about the library was recorded and ended up as part of Nathalie's story on how local organisations are using social media.
Not just for kids
By Nathalie Fernbach
Townsville Lost and Found Pets set up their Facebook page in January and already have close to 700 followers. Why is it that social media are such a hit with North Queensland community groups ?
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/05/07/2893046.htm
Friday, April 16, 2010
Digital Coordinator - ALIA Access 2010
A few weeks ago I accepted an invitation from the organising committee of ALIA Access 2010 conference (1-3 Sept. 2010, Brisbane, QLD), to be the 'digital coordinator' of the conference.
In brief, the role involves managing and giving advice on the web 2.0 component of the conference. There is a range of exciting things being discussed at the moment, so keep an eye on the twitter account for breaking news about ALIA Access 2010.
Friday, December 18, 2009
End of 2009 wrap up
2009 was a busy, fun year. I've been working on lots of online spaces, but have not managed to post about any of it here. This list is as much a diary entry for me, to remind me of what's been happening over the last 8 months or so:
- 2009 CAVAL Visiting Scholar research project with Michael Stephens. Involved some online surveys, a five week research trip to Australia by Michael and focus groups with Townsville library staff. Highlight of the year, and a high point in my career so far.
- PLA / QPLA conference blog - the joint conference of Public Libraries Australia and Queensland Public Libraries Association held in Townsville in October. This was my first real effort at managing a blog and creating a lot of content for a specific event/project over a defined time period. Very interesting and rewarding.
- Running a Learning 2.0 program for CityLibraries Townsville - CityLibrariesLearning: discover*play*connect
- Joining the Mo-brarians and having fun for Movember
- Realising that some online tools like Twitter, Dropbox and Skype have become almost invaluable tools for my work.
On a non-work topic - here is my very short list of things that had me thinking and reflecting on them long after the initial experience - kind-of like a "best of" list, but not really....
Book - "The art of racing in the rain" by Garth Stein A very moving novel about a family, as seen through the eyes of a dog.
TV - "Breaking Bad" (series 1) Drama, comedy, black comedy and lots of moments that make you think "what would I do in that situation..."
Movie - "Up" by Disney/Pixar. I loved how the movie told such a rich story of a relationship/marriage.
Music - for a whole bunch of reasons....
- "Blood" by The Middle East
- "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Sons (and a live version from Triple J's Hottest 100 on Australia Day)
- "Brother" by Little Birdy
- "How to Tame Lions" by Washington
Best wishes for 2010!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Here come the Mo-brarians
- a male working in a library environment, who has hair growing on the upper lip, allowed to grow without shaving, and often trimmed in any of various shape
- a person of either gender, trained in library work and dedicated to changing the face of men’s health
This coming Movember (the formerly useless and boring month of November) Australia's library workers are uniting for a common cause: changing the face of men's health.
Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men. Mo-Bros, supported by their Mo-Sistas, start Movember clean shaven and then have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their moustache. During Movember, each Mo Bro effectively becomes a walking billboard for men’s health and, via their Mo, raises essential funds and awareness for Movember’s men’s health partners – The Prostate Cancer Foundation and Beyondblue – the national depression initiative.
The Mo-brarians, our Movember team, need your help and support. Donate to us online or visit your local library where you can get more information about movember and men’s health issues. If you would like to join the Mo-brarians, or simply follow our Movember journey, then check out our online headquarters at http://mobrarians.wordpress.com/.
Library workers of Australia have united and are now asking you to put your money (just slightly above) where your mouth is – join us, and help change the face of men's health.
Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men. Mo-Bros, supported by their Mo-Sistas, start Movember clean shaven and then have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their moustache. During Movember, each Mo Bro effectively becomes a walking billboard for men’s health and, via their Mo, raises essential funds and awareness for Movember’s men’s health partners – The Prostate Cancer Foundation and Beyondblue – the national depression initiative.
The Mo-brarians, our Movember team, need your help and support. Donate to us online or visit your local library where you can get more information about movember and men’s health issues. If you would like to join the Mo-brarians, or simply follow our Movember journey, then check out our online headquarters at http://mobrarians.wordpress.com/.
Library workers of Australia have united and are now asking you to put your money (just slightly above) where your mouth is – join us, and help change the face of men's health.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Research survey for Australian library workers
- Posted on behalf of Michael Stephens -
Dear Australian library colleagues,
You may have seen the announcement earlier this year where I was appointed as the 2009 CAVAL Visiting Scholar. My research, "Measuring the Value and Effect of Learning 2.0 Programs in Libraries" will evaluate the impact of Learning 2.0 programs in Australia and the perceived levels of openness, transparency and trust by staff in organizations that have completed the course.
Now it’s time for me to ask for your help!
If you have completed a 23 Things / Learning 2.0 program, I'd like to invite you to participate in an online survey.
Please take 10 to 15 minutes to complete this online survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=FKEc0Bnxl5mbWC091rrI_2bw_3d_3d
If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please contact me (email is on front of survey).
If have been the person responsible for developing and/or implementing a 23 Things / Learning 2.0 program for your library (single library service or a consortia program), please email your contact details to Warren Cheetham at CityLibraries Townsville (warren.cheetham@townsville.qld.gov.au). I have a special survey which Warren will send to you, just for people who have lead a learning 2.0 program.
Thank you for your participation in my research. I am looking forward to my trip to Australia in October!
Best wishes,
Michael Stephens ~
Assistant Professor, Dominican University GSLIS
Tame the Web: Libraries & Technology: http://www.tametheweb.com/
Dear Australian library colleagues,
You may have seen the announcement earlier this year where I was appointed as the 2009 CAVAL Visiting Scholar. My research, "Measuring the Value and Effect of Learning 2.0 Programs in Libraries" will evaluate the impact of Learning 2.0 programs in Australia and the perceived levels of openness, transparency and trust by staff in organizations that have completed the course.
Now it’s time for me to ask for your help!
If you have completed a 23 Things / Learning 2.0 program, I'd like to invite you to participate in an online survey.
Please take 10 to 15 minutes to complete this online survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=FKEc0Bnxl5mbWC091rrI_2bw_3d_3d
If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please contact me (email is on front of survey).
If have been the person responsible for developing and/or implementing a 23 Things / Learning 2.0 program for your library (single library service or a consortia program), please email your contact details to Warren Cheetham at CityLibraries Townsville (warren.cheetham@townsville.qld.gov.au). I have a special survey which Warren will send to you, just for people who have lead a learning 2.0 program.
Thank you for your participation in my research. I am looking forward to my trip to Australia in October!
Best wishes,
Michael Stephens ~
Assistant Professor, Dominican University GSLIS
Tame the Web: Libraries & Technology: http://www.tametheweb.com/
Monday, May 25, 2009
Next Gen OPAC
The National Library of Austalia has released the first prototype of its new Single Business Discovery Service for comment by key stakeholders.
From an email launching the prototype:
The prototype is available at http://sbdsproto.nla.gov.au/ and provides integrated access to over 42 million metadata and text resources from a range of the National Library's collaborative services and from elsewhere.
For this initial version there are a range of data sources including: the Australian National Bibliographic Database, Australian Newspapers, Picture Australia, the ARROW Discovery Service, and PANDORA. The new service will also provide the discovery interface for the People Australia initiative.
Additionally we have included some external sources of data such as OAIster, Open Library, the Hathi Trust, the Internet Archive and the Library of Congress tables of contents, publishers' descriptions and sample book chapters.
Prior to using this service it is worth noting that it is a work in progress and you’ll find the 'About' pages useful in determining what has been done to date and what we are still planning to do. We welcome your granular feedback in the form at the bottom of every page, and strategic discussion in the SBD Project topic at our Libraries Australia ning site. [Not on ning? Contact our Help Desk 1800 026 155.]
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Lotsa' learning
My recent online activities have been focussed around running a Learning 2.0 program - our learning blog can be found at: http://citylibrarieslearning.wordpress.com/
Our Twitter account is: http://twitter.com/TownsvilleLib
My personal learning blog is: http://stainedglasswaterfalllearningblog.wordpress.com/
...and that doesn't leave much time for regular blogging or tweeting at the moment! :-)
The program is going really well, staff are responding and seem to be having a great time.
Our Twitter account is: http://twitter.com/TownsvilleLib
My personal learning blog is: http://stainedglasswaterfalllearningblog.wordpress.com/
...and that doesn't leave much time for regular blogging or tweeting at the moment! :-)
The program is going really well, staff are responding and seem to be having a great time.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Library vs. the Search Engine
I love this idea! 
From the website:
From the website:
The Set Up
We're pitting Mosman Library’s online reference collection against what you can find from the search box on the world wide web! Each day during Library & Information Week we’ll be posting a question that represents the range of queries that we get at Mosman Library.
You decide who gives the best answers and wins the challenge.
We're pitting Mosman Library’s online reference collection against what you can find from the search box on the world wide web! Each day during Library & Information Week we’ll be posting a question that represents the range of queries that we get at Mosman Library.
You decide who gives the best answers and wins the challenge.
The Players
Our Reference Librarian Jane B will represent Mosman Library. She’ll use only Mosman Library’s electronic resources to answer the question.
Our Internet & IT Services Librarian Ken D will represent the search engine. He’ll use only freely-available web resources to formulate his answer.
Our Internet & IT Services Librarian Ken D will represent the search engine. He’ll use only freely-available web resources to formulate his answer.
Friday, April 24, 2009
PLA/QPLA Conference 2009
(from the April edition of aliaPUBNEWS email alert)
Public Libraries Australia and the Queensland Public Libraries Association (QPLA) are happy to announce they will be holding a joint conference of national significance.
The conference will be held in Townsville, Queensland from 11 to 14 October 2009 with the theme being Change and Challenge.
In the near future a conference web page will be set up that will provide you with more information such as the program, sponsorship opportunities and registration details.
(Update 22/5/09 website is now available: http://www.pla.org.au/conferences.html)
In the meantime pencil this event into your diaries and please contact the undersigned if you have any questions.
Roger Henshaw [rhenshaw@pla.org.au / Tel: 0414 190 133]
Ron Store [ron.store@townsville.qld.gov.au / Tel: 07 4773 8819 or 07 4778 2424]
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
CAVAL Visiting Scholar 2009 - Dr Michael Stephens
I am very excited and honoured to publicly announce a project I have been working on for the last six months or so, with Richard Sayers from CAVAL and Michael Stephens.The formal media release:
Internationally recognised US Web 2.0 commentator, writer and library academic, Dr Michael Stephens, has been appointed the 2009 CAVAL Visiting Scholar.
In a world first for CAVAL and its project partners CityLibraries Townsville and Dominican University Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Dr Stephens’ research project will seek to measure the value and effect of Learning 2.0 programs in Australian libraries.
“The intent of this study is to understand the impact on library staff and institutional culture and makeup after a Learning 2.0 program“, Dr Stephens says.
“The critical questions for libraries looking forward are to what extent has Learning 2.0 impacted institutional culture and staff confidence, and to what degree has it improved the ability of library staff to use emerging technologies?”
Dr Stephens notes that “More than 500 libraries in 15 countries have implemented Learning 2.0 programs in 2 years but we know very little about their effectiveness. Nearly 10% of these Learning 2.0 programs are Australian, ranging from large State and University libraries through to public and special libraries and a small school library in New South Wales.”
First developed by the Public Library of Charlotte Mecklenburg County under a Creative Commons license in 2006, Learning 2.0 is an online learning program that encourages library staff to explore and learn about emerging Web 2.0 technologies. Web 2.0, also called the Read/Write Web or Social Computing, enables users of all ages and walks of life to create, change and publish their own Web content. Blogs and social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook are common examples.
Working with a co-researcher from CityLibraries Townsville, Dr Stephens’ research aims to develop a world first model for what he terms “an exemplary Learning 2.0 program for Australian libraries.”
For Dr Stephens’ acclaimed Tame the Web blog, visit http://tametheweb.com/
For more information about the original Learning 2.0 program, visit http://plcmcl2-about.blogspot.com/
ABOUT THE PROJECT PARTNERS:
CAVAL is an Australian not-for-profit company established in 1978 to support leading libraries in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. CAVAL is owned jointly by 11 Australian universities and provides a range of specialised services to the library sector including storage and digital preservation, training and consulting.
Dominican University's Graduate School of Library and Information Science was founded in 1930 and has grown to become one of the United States’ largest Masters of Library and Information Science degree-granting programs. More than 600 students attend classes in River Forest, Greater Chicago, and St. Paul, Minnesota.
CityLibraries Townsville was formed by the merger of the Townsville City Council and Thuringowa City Council in March 2008. Three library branches, mobile services plus a virtual branch serve the whole of Townsville - from the inner city to Magnetic Island, from the suburbs to the rural communities. Each branch offers specialist services and facilities that provide for a diverse community
(end media release)
There will be more detailed information about the research project announced over the coming days and weeks, so keep and eye out here and on Michael’s blog, plus our Twitter streams.
http://twitter.com/warrencheetham
http://twitter.com/mstephens7
Position Vacancy: Information Services Librarian
I don't often post about my actual job, but for this I'm sending the message far and wide!
I have a position vacant in my team at CityLibraries Townsville:
Information Services Librarian - permanent full-time.
Purpose of position is to provide excellent library customer service through:
Looking forward to seeing your application soon!
I have a position vacant in my team at CityLibraries Townsville:
Information Services Librarian - permanent full-time.
Purpose of position is to provide excellent library customer service through:
- the day-to-day management of the library management system (Spydus)
- facilitation of a customer-focused, up-to-date library web presence, and
- the facilitation of the reference and information services team.
Looking forward to seeing your application soon!
Friday, March 20, 2009
The ties that bind
Three things popped into my line of sight this morning, two via blogs and one by email.
Somehow they are all related to freedom (and restriction) of thought, artistry and activity.
What started me thinking was a short article by Cory Doctorow writing for Harvard Business publishing blogs.
The High Priests of IT — And the Heretics gives a very brief history of corporate IT departments, and how power/control (access to information and resources) has swung back and forth between IT departments and users, as resources moved from mainframe computers to desktop PCs. These paragraphs sum up where I see a lot of organisations currently are at:
The dirty secret of corporate IT is that its primary mission is to serve yesterday's technology needs, even if that means strangling tomorrow's technology solutions. The myth of corporate IT is that it alone possesses the wisdom to decide which technologies will allow the workers on the front line to work better, faster and smarter — albeit with the occasional lackluster requirements-gathering process, if you're lucky.
The fact is that the most dreadful violators of corporate policy — the ones getting that critical file to a supplier using Gmail because the corporate mail won't allow the attachment, the ones using IM to contact a vacationing colleague to find out how to handle a sticky situation, the incorrigible Twitterer who wants to sign up all his colleagues as followers through the work day — are also the most enthusiastic users of technology, the ones most apt to come up with the next out-of-left-field efficiency for the firm.
Because of that article, somehow these next two posts about copyright and Creative Commons resonated with me more strongly than usual - I usually only follow discussions about copyright and creative commons by skimming the surface, pausing now and then to dip in to an article to get a better understanding of a particular issue or development.
Sita Sings the Blues - story on story by Paul Reynolds tells the story of an animator who spent three years making a film, only to find she can’t distribute it because of music licensing issues. QuestionCopyright.org says:
It's a classic example of how today's copyright system suppresses art, effectively forcing artists to make creative choices based on licensing concerns rather than on their artistic vision.
To read more about the issue, visit How Copyright Restrictions Suppress Art: An Interview With Nina Paley About "Sita Sings The Blues"
The very next post in my blog aggregator was by Neil Infield (British Library)
Professor James Boyle and the fight for Creative Commons . In his short post (visit the site for links to some valuable links), Neil writes about a talk that Professor Boyle gave to staff at the British Library.
One of his most memorable points for me was the deafening silence from the US Copyright Office when asked how he could make his work copyright free. His point being, that the law has been extended to cover all creative works with no regard to the views of the authors who want to allow access.
I have no answers or insights to contribute to this discussion, but I am left with a lingering doubt, maybe even sadness that a vibrant, exciting section of our culture is being restricted. But then I am reminded of a quote (which I have not been able to find – it is attributed to a former IBM executive I think) along the lines of “networks are designed to find ways around roadblocks”. So perhaps the creative community will find a way…
Somehow they are all related to freedom (and restriction) of thought, artistry and activity.
What started me thinking was a short article by Cory Doctorow writing for Harvard Business publishing blogs.
The High Priests of IT — And the Heretics gives a very brief history of corporate IT departments, and how power/control (access to information and resources) has swung back and forth between IT departments and users, as resources moved from mainframe computers to desktop PCs. These paragraphs sum up where I see a lot of organisations currently are at:
The dirty secret of corporate IT is that its primary mission is to serve yesterday's technology needs, even if that means strangling tomorrow's technology solutions. The myth of corporate IT is that it alone possesses the wisdom to decide which technologies will allow the workers on the front line to work better, faster and smarter — albeit with the occasional lackluster requirements-gathering process, if you're lucky.
The fact is that the most dreadful violators of corporate policy — the ones getting that critical file to a supplier using Gmail because the corporate mail won't allow the attachment, the ones using IM to contact a vacationing colleague to find out how to handle a sticky situation, the incorrigible Twitterer who wants to sign up all his colleagues as followers through the work day — are also the most enthusiastic users of technology, the ones most apt to come up with the next out-of-left-field efficiency for the firm.
Because of that article, somehow these next two posts about copyright and Creative Commons resonated with me more strongly than usual - I usually only follow discussions about copyright and creative commons by skimming the surface, pausing now and then to dip in to an article to get a better understanding of a particular issue or development.
Sita Sings the Blues - story on story by Paul Reynolds tells the story of an animator who spent three years making a film, only to find she can’t distribute it because of music licensing issues. QuestionCopyright.org says:
It's a classic example of how today's copyright system suppresses art, effectively forcing artists to make creative choices based on licensing concerns rather than on their artistic vision.
To read more about the issue, visit How Copyright Restrictions Suppress Art: An Interview With Nina Paley About "Sita Sings The Blues"
The very next post in my blog aggregator was by Neil Infield (British Library)
Professor James Boyle and the fight for Creative Commons . In his short post (visit the site for links to some valuable links), Neil writes about a talk that Professor Boyle gave to staff at the British Library.
One of his most memorable points for me was the deafening silence from the US Copyright Office when asked how he could make his work copyright free. His point being, that the law has been extended to cover all creative works with no regard to the views of the authors who want to allow access.
I have no answers or insights to contribute to this discussion, but I am left with a lingering doubt, maybe even sadness that a vibrant, exciting section of our culture is being restricted. But then I am reminded of a quote (which I have not been able to find – it is attributed to a former IBM executive I think) along the lines of “networks are designed to find ways around roadblocks”. So perhaps the creative community will find a way…
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