VALA2008 Proceedings

The VALA2008 14th Biennial Conference and Exhibition was held at the Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia from 5 – 7 February 2008. The theme for this conference was “LIBRARIES / CHANGING SPACES, VIRTUAL PLACES”.

The following papers were presented at VALA2008. See also the VALA2008 Programme or the archived VALA2008 conference web site.

Creative Commons License All works are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License unless specifically stated.

VALA2008 Plenary 1 Powell

VALA2008Repositories through the looking glass

VALA 2008 PLENARY 1: Andy Powell
Tuesday 5 February 2008, 09:00 – 10:15
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-plenary-1-powell

VALA2010 Keynote SpeakerAndy Powell

Head of Development, Eduserv Foundation, UK
http://www.eduserv.org.uk/research

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VALA2008 Plenary 1 Powell Presentation 1.57 MB
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VALA2008 Plenary 1 Powell Podcast 20.24 MB

Abstract

“I can’t remember things before they happen.” “It’s a poor sort of memory that only works backwards,” the Queen remarked.

Repositories of open access scholarly papers are a well-established part of the information landscape, at least in policy terms, and their successful delivery will almost certainly feature somewhere on the agenda of most academic libraries. Repositories are of interest not just in their own right but as a microcosm of the wider library landscape – indicating how the world is changing and how libraries need to change in response. Drawing on a range of perspectives from political and social to technical, this presentation will attempt to answer the question: what do Web 2.0 and the Semantic Web tell us about the future of repositories and, by implication, about library services generally?

VALA2008 Session 1 Lewis

VALA2008Library 2.0: taking it to the street

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 1: Library 2.0
Tuesday 5 February 2008, 10:45 – 11:15
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-1-lewis

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperLynette Lewis

Coordinator Online Services, Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service
http://www.yprl.vic.gov.au

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VALA2008 Session 1 Lewis Paper 69.12 KB
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VALA2008 Session 1 Lewis Podcast 12 MB

Abstract

In October 2006, Yarra Plenty Library participated in the online learning program Learning 2.0, designed to introduce participants to the world of Web 2.0. Our journey since the instigation of this program has led us to new ways of delivering services to our community. This paper will outline the concept behind the Learning 2.0 Program, look at the Library Worker 2.0 follow-up training modules and the applications in which staff now use Web 2.0 technologies to provide new interactive services and programs for our community. It also outlines how we have shared our experiences with the wider library community.

VALA2008 Session 1 Greenhill

VALA2008Do we remove all the walls? Second Life librarianship

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 1: Library 2.0
Tuesday 5 February 2008, 11:20 – 11:50
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-1-greenhill

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperKathryn Greenhill

Reference Librarian, Murdoch University Library
http://librariansmatter.com

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VALA2008 Session 1 Greenhill Paper 346.67 KB

Podcast not available

Abstract

Over five hundred librarians worldwide are experimenting with providing library services in the Multi User Virtual Environment (MUVE) called Second Life, including a small group of Australian librarians who constructed the Australian Libraries Building. This paper describes the interface and capabilities of a MUVE, the evolution of the Australian Libraries Building and the library objects built and scripted within it. It suggests some professional advantages for librarians who experiment within Second Life and the technical and managerial considerations of setting up a library presence there. It concludes by describing how Second Life library services have evolved, as librarians better understood the potential of the MUVE interface.

VALA2008 Session 1 Barnes

VALA2008Making a virtual community real: redeveloping eSKILLS Plus using Web 2.0

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 1: Library 2.0
Tuesday 5 February 2008, 11:55 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-1-barnes

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperCameron Barnes

eAccess Librarian, University of New England University Library
http://www.une.edu.au/library

Karan Jones

eAccess Librarian, University of New England University Library
http://www.une.edu.au/library

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VALA2008 Session 1 Barnes Paper 522.31 KB
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VALA2008 Session 1 Barnes Podcast 13 MB

Abstract

The eSKILLS Plus Web site provides information literacy (IL) instruction for postgraduates at the University of New England. A recent decision to redevelop the site raised a number of issues. What constitutes IL for postgraduates? Should eSKILLS Plus cover topics not normally regarded as library responsibilities? How could we make online learning more authentic and engaging? Could Web 2.0 approaches allow us to make something more than a collection of resources? Could we aim at creating an online learning community? How could we evaluate project outcomes? How would the redeveloped site measure up to better-resourced projects elsewhere? This paper looks at some of the answers to these questions.

VALA2008 Session 2 Brodie

VALA2008Watch this space! Designing a new library for Macquarie University

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 2: Library Spaces
Tuesday 5 February 2008, 10:45 – 11:15
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-2-brodie

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperMaxine Brodie

University Librarian, Macquarie University
http://www.lib.mq.edu.au

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VALA2008 Session 2 Brodie Paper 52.06 KB
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VALA2008 Session 2 Brodie Podcast 13 MB

Abstract

Macquarie University is implementing a number of inter-related long-term strategies to deliver a new-generation library service that is client-centric rather than library-centric. In response to changing client expectations and to our University’s new strategy, we are making significant changes to service delivery, by redefining staff roles and our organisational structure, and by rebuilding our physical and electronic presence. This paper, one of a series, focuses on changes to the Library’s physical presence, and provides the background to the decision to construct a new clientcentred library building that reaffirms the Library’s centrality to research and learning. This paper provides a high-level overview of the key design concepts and the design process, including the utilisation of automated storage technologies to maximise the space available for clients.

VALA2008 Session 2 Pang

VALA2008Library manager perspectives of the Vocational Education Sector: investigating trends and issues within a Learning Commons paradigm

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 2: Library Spaces
Tuesday 5 February 2008, 11:20 – 11:50
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-2-pang

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperNatalie Pang

Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University
http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au

Graeme Johanson

Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University
http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au

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VALA2008 Session 2 Pang Paper 91.79 KB
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VALA2008 Session 2 Pang Podcast 8 MB

Abstract

As a joint research project between Monash University and a partner organisation, the Victorian Association of TAFE Libraries (VATL), the study reported in this paper investigated challenges which face TAFE libraries. To assess the suitability of the Learning Commons concept, interviews, questionnaire surveys, and a conference dialogue between library managers were used. Important themes emerged and were evaluated. The paper explores significant findings from two surveys which show how TAFE libraries have changed as places and digital spaces.

 

VALA2008 Session 2 Burke

VALA2008Claim your space: re-placing spaces to better meet the needs of the Net Generation

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 2: Library Spaces
Tuesday 5 February 2008, 11:55 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-2-burke

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperLiz Burke

Associate Librarian (Reader Services), The University of Western Australia
http://www.library.uwa.edu.au

Jill Benn

Humanities & Social Sciences Librarian, The University of Western Australia
http://www.library.uwa.edu.au

Ralph Kiel

Associate Librarian (Information Systems), The University of Western Australia
http://www.library.uwa.edu.au

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VALA2008 Session 2 Burke Paper 57.04 KB
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VALA2008 Session 2 Burke Podcast 11 MB

Abstract

The challenge for the Reid Library at The University of Western Australia was the transformation of a 1960s building into a welcoming space with services and facilities appropriate for a more technologically demanding generation. A key issue was how to balance the continuing need for access to physical collections with the rapidly expanding demand for new kinds of learning spaces and facilities oriented towards on-line and collaborative learning and research. This paper outlines the approach taken to identify client needs (both physical and virtual), define and propose new service models, and transform learning spaces while maintaining access to physical collections.

VALA2008 Session 3 Henty

VALA2008Looking forward by looking back: APSR’s contribution to future repository planning in Australia

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 3: Repositories
Tuesday 5 February 2008, 10:45 – 11:15
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-3-henty

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperMargaret Henty

Australian Partnership for Sustainable Repositories
http://www.apsr.edu.au

Adrian Burton

Australian Partnership for Sustainable Repositories
http://www.apsr.edu.au

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VALA2008 Session 3 Henty Paper 63.36 KB
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VALA2008 Session 3 Henty Podcast 10 MB

Abstract

The Australian Partnership for Sustainable Repositories (APSR) was established in 2004 with a grant from the Systemic Information Infrastructure (SII) from the Department of Employment, Science and Training (DEST). It was one of a number of projects to benefit from official recognition of the importance of digital sustainability and the need for development of institutional repositories in Australian universities and other organisations. In four years, APSR has contributed significantly to the management of digital information in Australia, through both its development portfolio and its extensive range of outreach activities. There have been benefits to the partners and to the sector as a whole. The work undertaken and the lessons learnt provide useful information for future planning in a field which continues to expand and develop.

VALA2008 Session 3 Groenewegen

VALA2008Building the ARROW community

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 3: Repositories
Tuesday 5 February 2008, 11:20 – 11:50
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-3-groenewegen

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperDavid Groenewegen

ARROW Project Manager and ARCHER Project Director
http://lib.monash.edu.au

Andrew Treloar

Director, Australian National Data Service Establishment Project
http://its.monash.edu.au

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VALA2008 Session 3 Groenewegen Paper 34.26 KB
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VALA2008 Session 3 Groenewegen Podcast 16 MB

Abstract

The ARROW Project is a DEST-funded consortial effort to develop and implement intuitional repository software, and has co-developed the VITAL software with VTLS Inc. The project team has been building a community of users of this software, through the use of existing free or open source products. This paper will discuss the specific objectives of building this community, the history of our use of the various available tools, an assessment of their effectiveness and their limitations, and how we plan to move forward.

VALA2008 Session 3 Kingsley

VALA2008Repositories, research and reporting: the conflict between institutional and disciplinary needs

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 3: Repositories
Tuesday 5 February 2008, 11:55 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-3-kingsley

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperDanny Kingsley

PhD Scholar, Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
http://www.anu.edu.au

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VALA2008 Session 3 Kingsley Paper 80.24 KB
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VALA2008 Session 3 Kingsley Podcast 12 MB

Abstract

In Australia, research reporting is considered a way to increase awareness of and support for opening up accessibility to research outputs. This paper explores the fundamental differences between disciplines, which extend beyond publishing outputs. Most crucially, the information-seeking behaviour of a disciplinary cohort will determine the likelihood of individuals voluntarily embracing repositories. The RQF is likely to fail to open access to Australian research. There is an inherent conflict between the needs of the institution and those of academics’ ‘invisible colleges’, as institutional repositories exist to serve the institution and funding bodies, rather than the individual.