VALA2002 Proceedings

VALA2002, the 11th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia from 6 – 8 February 2002. The theme of the conference was e-volving information futures.

The following programme was presented at VALA2002. See also the archived VALA2002 conference web site.

VALA is the process of copying old conference abstracts, papers, and presentations onto the new VALA portal. VALA2002 papers will be made available from this section of the VALA web site.

Registering on the VALA web site also allows you to post your own comments about all of the presentations and papers at VALA’s biennial conferences. When commenting please refrain from inappropriate remarks and be aware of VALA’s online code of conduct.

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VALA2002 Session 4 Toll

Towards a national infrastructure for access to Australia’s documentary information resources in electronic formats: strategic developments at the National Library of Australia

VALA2002 CONCURRENT SESSION 4: e-libraries
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 14:00 – 14:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-session-4-toll

David Toll

National Library of Australia

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VALA2002 Session 4 Toll Paper 34.01 KB

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Abstract

The National Library of Australia is undertaking a wide range of practical and research activities to facilitate the tasks of collecting, preserving and making available Australian electronic resources, and is collaborating with other institutions in endeavours which advance these aims. The objective is to ensure that these resources are accessible by both current and future generations of Australians. This paper outlines the National Library’s strategies and key activities with regard to Australian electronic resources, and highlights key technical challenges to be overcome.

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VALA2002 Session 4 Smith

What can e-libraries learn from e-business?

VALA2002 CONCURRENT SESSION 4: e-libraries
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 14:35 – 15:05
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-session-4-smith

Alastair G Smith

Victoria University of Wellington

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VALA2002 Session 4 Smith Paper 29.65 KB

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Abstract

Libraries were arguably early entrants into the e-business arena. When libraries made their online catalogues available via the Internet in the late 1980s, this was among the first instances of organisations marketing their products and services through the Internet. Now many libraries in the corporate environment provide most of their services electronically, pursuing a knowledge management strategy and managing the information content of the corporate intranet. However, have libraries done all that they can to capitalise on e-business developments? This paper will examine trends in e-business, and suggest how libraries can utilise these in enhancing their services.

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VALA2002 Session 4 Brenneise

First Steps in Developing a State-wide Digital Health Library in Michigan

VALA2002 CONCURRENT SESSION 4: e-libraries
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 15:10 – 15:40
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-session-4-brenneise

Harvey R. Brenneise

Michigan Public Health Institute

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VALA2002 Session 4 Brenneise Paper 29.22 KB

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Abstract

MiHealthLibrary is a response to a recommendation of the Michigan Information Technology Commission Report. The desired outcome is ubiquitous and universal access to high-quality, timely, reliable and valid health information for health consumers and practitioners regardless of geographic location in the state, many of whom are currently unserved or under-served in all types of libraries throughout the state. The major objective is developing a working model for negotiating state-wide licenses for core and specialized electronic digital health resource for libraries of all types and sizes that is economically feasible for both libraries and publishers. The Stat!Ref pilot project, if successful, will be used as a model for other state-wide information projects or collaborative international projects designed to team librarians in developed and developing nations in planning and implementing information delivery systems.

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VALA2002 Session 5 McCarthy

The Open Resource Scholarly Network: new collaborative partnerships between academics, libraries, archives and museums

VALA2002 CONCURRENT SESSION 5: Scholarly Publishing
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 14:35 – 15:05
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-session-5-mccarthy

Gavan McCarthy and Joanne Evans

University of Melbourne

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VALA2002 Session 5 McCarthy Paper 34.19 KB

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Abstract

The Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre (Austehc) has been collecting and disseminating information about the history of Australian science, technology and medicine, including data about archival resources, on the assumption that scholarly practice and the creation of new knowledge was based on free access to, and the citability of, existing knowledge. Despite the advent of enabling electronic network technologies, it appears that this assumption is not universally accepted. In this paper, we explore by way of real examples the benefits that come from the open sharing of information and knowledge, not just for researchers but for cataloguers, archivists, web publishers and other informatics professionals.

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VALA2002 Session 5 Houghton

The Crisis in Scholarly Communication: an Economic Analysis

VALA2002 CONCURRENT SESSION 5: Scholarly Publishing
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 15:10 – 15:40
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-session-5-houghton

John Houghton

Victoria University

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VALA2002 Session 5 Houghton Paper 74.77 KB

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Abstract

This paper takes a systems approach to describing and scoping the system of scholarly communication in Australia and exploring the economics that govern it. It examines: the relationships between players in the system; the scope of activities within Australia; the cost and incentive structures underpinning the creation, production and distribution of scholarly content; and the underlying economics of scholarly communication. Brief analyses of some alternative publishing initiatives are included.

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VALA2002 Session 6 Beaumont

The 3 bears – not too big, not too small, just right or How search access logs can be used to improve success rates for searchers

VALA2002 CONCURRENT SESSION 6: e-research
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 14:00 – 14:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-session-6-beaumont

Anne Beaumont

State Library of Victoria

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VALA2002 Session 6 Beaumont Paper 576.69 KB

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Abstract

Using search-tracking logs, including comparing logs over time and between systems can provide information about how members of the public really search catalogues and databases. The logs are non-intrusive, and do not rely on anyone’s memory, so provide an accurate picture of what is done and in what order, but they cannot unambiguously identify ‘success’. However by examining trends and differences it is possible to establish some hypotheses, which can be tested by making changes and again observing the logs. This paper reviews some of the ways search-tracking logs have been used to make changes in a newly implemented Collection Management system at the State Library of Victoria.

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VALA2002 Session 6 Chapman

Russian roulette or Pandora’s box: Use of the Internet as a research tool

VALA2002 CONCURRENT SESSION 6: e-research
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 14:35 – 15:05
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-session-6-chapman

Lorraine Chapman

La Trobe University

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VALA2002 Session 6 Chapman Paper 30.91 KB

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Abstract

The Internet has become an integral element of academic research and study. As information specialists are we really aware of how university students and academic staff perceive the information on the Internet and how they use it for research and study? This paper outlines the findings of an investigation undertaken at La Trobe University Library to gain critical information from users on their practice and success in locating relevant information from the Internet. Information gained was incorporated into the design of client-centred Internet training programs and modification of Library web pages.

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VALA2002 Session 6 Jesty

Receiving, responding to and recording research and reference enquiries electronically – the new 3Rs in enquiry services

VALA2002 CONCURRENT SESSION 6: e-research
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 15:10 – 15:40
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-session-6-jesty

Liz Jesty

State Library of Victoria

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VALA2002 Session 6 Jesty Paper 590.28 KB

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Abstract

This paper discusses the implementation of a Lotus Notes Research Information Management System – know as RIM-r – at the State Library of Victoria. This system captures, stores and indexes all extended research and reference enquiries with the aim of making that knowledge database available for access and re-use throughout the organisation. RIM-r has enabled the State Library of Victoria to receive, respond to and record enquiries electronically and to improve its ability to achieve its aim of being a major research and reference institution.

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VALA2002 Plenary 2 Guédon

The politics of scientific visibility: from excellence to elitism (and back)

VALA 2002 PLENARY 2: Jean-Claude Guédon
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 16:10 – 17:25
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-plenary-2-guedon

Jean-Claude Guédon

Université de Montréal

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VALA2002 Plenary 2 Guédon Paper 10.94 KB

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Abstract

Recent analyses have revealed some of the roots of the serial pricing crisis. Core science and site licensing have trasformed scientific publishing twice. A third, negative, revolution is in the offing; it has to do with the evaluation of scientific work beyond peer review. However, this threat also offers new hopes for all concerned with building a less elitist communication system. Open archives, attempts to extend the science citation index and “faculties of 1,000’ all point to the possibility of reforming the evaluation system of science. It will require, however, stronger alliances with administrators and those scientists that are working for a more equitable system of communicating scientific results.

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VALA2002 Plenary 3 Van Der Werf

Our digital heritage: how authentic should it be?

VALA 2002 PLENARY 3: Titia Van Der Werf
Thursday 7 February 2002, 09:00 – 10:15
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-plenary-3-vanderwerf

Titia Van Der Werf

National Library of the Netherlands

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VALA2002 Plenary 3 Van Der Werf Paper 43.78 KB

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Abstract

Together with the National Library of the Netherlands, IBM has developed the concept of a generic preservation layer model (PLM) that can be implemented as a preservation management tool. It enables us to assess preservation strategies and how they affect the authenticity of digital objects. The National Library of the Netherlands has identified a number of deposit principles that bear on preservation and authenticity criteria for electronic publications. They take account of the specific nature of electronic publications and electronic publishing. This paper shows how both the generic approach and the specific application domain approach can lead to a decision-making framework for digital heritage institutions.

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