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 Session 12 Dellit

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperCollecting the best data: improving cataloguing systems

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 12: ILMS
Thursday 7 February 2008 11:55 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-12-dellit

Alison Dellit

Metadata Librarian, National Library of Australia
http://www.nla.gov.au

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VALA2008 Session 12 Dellit Paper 112.21 KB
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VALA2008 Session 12 Dellit Podcast 13 MB

Abstract

As libraries come to grips with enormous changes in information-seeking behaviour, many institutions are seeking to build “new generation” catalogues, which make resource discovery simple and fun. To fully take advantage of these changes, libraries also need to re-think what data we should be recording about our collections; and how we are recording it. The National Library of Australia is developing a new tool to streamline the process of selecting a correct subject heading. In the future, an even more radical approach to subject analysis and classification may be required to efficiently catalogue the increasing amount of born-digital information.

VALA2008 Session 13 Davis

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperBe my buddy: IM and the future of virtual reference

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 13: Virtual Reference
Thursday 7 February 2008 10:45 – 11:15
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-13-davis

Kate Davis

Electronic Services Librarian, Gold Coast City Council Library Service
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library

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VALA2008 Session 13 Davis Paper 298.59 KB
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VALA2008 Session 13 Davis Podcast 12 MB

Abstract

In 2006, the administrators of the Australian virtual reference service, AskNow, entered the Instant Messaging (IM) arena. One of the first large scale, collaborative IM services in the world, the AskNow IM trial provided a unique opportunity to prove IM virtual reference as a concept, as well as to test the technology itself. This paper will discuss the rationale and impetus for the trial, explore the successes and stumbling blocks encountered during the establishment and evolution of the trial and the service model, examine the lessons learnt throughout the trial, and conclude by discussing the way forward for IM services and virtual reference.

VALA2008 Session 13 Kurvink

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperA new paradigm for reference librarians in the online world: developing relationship around research and learning with library users

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 13: Virtual Reference
Thursday 7 February 2008 11:20 – 11:50
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-13-kurvink

Wilma Kurvink

College Head of Library and Information Services, Wesley College, Melbourne
http://www.wesleycollege.net

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VALA2008 Session 13 Kurvink Paper 158.16 KB
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VALA2008 Session 13 Kurvink Podcast 12 MB

Abstract

This paper examines the dilemmas around personal information retrieval and the role of the reference librarian in the era of readily available information sources. Research by Bilal and Kuhlthau informs the paradigm of information retrieval for learning. The paper proposes that users of online information, particularly students of all ages, create a new dimension of information use, where the librarian, as guide and intermediary, needs to assume a greater role. In an environment of increasing personalisation of information retrieval and a broader base of data sources, librarians can play a role in assisting learners with synthesis and understanding.

VALA2008 Session 13 McKay

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperShibbolising Online Librarian: how two university libraries enhanced their collaborative chat reference service by using a MAMS Mini grant to add authentication and develop an interoperable chat client

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 13: Virtual Reference
Thursday 7 February 2008 11:55 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-13-mckay

Jean McKay

Manager Liaison Services, Murdoch University
http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au

Annmaree Brown

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

Helen Bronleigh

Library Systems Coordinator, Murdoch University
http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au

Margaret Wright

Frontline Services Manager, Macquarie University
http://www.library.mq.edu.au

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VALA2008 Session 13 McKay Paper 343.20 KB
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VALA2008 Session 13 McKay Podcast 15 MB

Abstract

Chat reference, so what’s new or innovative about that? It’s a common enough service now offered by many libraries. In fact, Macquarie and Murdoch University Libraries have collaborated to provide a virtual reference service since March 2003 as described in a paper presented at the VALA2004 Conference. Since then Online Librarian has been transformed using open source standards and freeware products. The result is a robust and scalable product that allows multiple operators, smart assignment of calls, transfer of calls and automatic statistics collection.

VALA2008 Session 14 Tairi

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperFairy tales and Elggs: social networking with student rovers in learning commons

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 14: Social Networking
Thursday 7 February 2008 14:00 – 14:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-14-tairi

Kim Tairi

Information Services Manager, Prahran, Swinburne University
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/lib

Rob McCormack

Lecturer, Language and Learning, Victoria University
http://www.vu.edu.au

Peodair Leihy

Research Fellow, Postcompulsory Education Centre, Victoria University
http://www.vu.edu.au

Peter Ring

Campus Librarian, City Flinders, Victoria University
http://library.vu.edu.au

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VALA2008 Session 14 Tairi Paper 44.32 KB
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VALA2008 Session 14 Tairi Podcast 9 MB

Abstract

The Learning (or Information) Commons concept has transformed and extended library services in universities worldwide and most university libraries have adopted aspects of the concept. At Victoria University (VU) the Commons has co-located related student services. Student Rovers are a key feature of the service offered. To build an online community of practice for the Rovers, VU experimented with open source social networking software. A central lesson is that, while web-based social networking is essential, the usability and reliability of any particular software is less important than the way in which such tools are used by participants. This paper will outline preliminary results of VU’s evaluation of the pilot and dispel some of the myths and fairy tales around using social networking software in an educational context.

 

VALA2008 Session 14 Heterick

VALA2008 Invited PaperShift happens: how the network effect, two-sided markets, and the wisdom of crowds are impacting libraries and scholarly communication

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 14: Social Networking
Thursday 7 February 2008 14:35 – 15:05
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-14-heterick

Bruce Heterick

Director, Outreach & Participation Services, JSTOR, USA
http://www.jstor.org

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VALA2008 Session 14 Heterick Podcast 12 MB

Abstract

This session will discuss the changing nature of library services and scholarly research in the networked world. Our affiliated group of not-for-profit digital initiatives – JSTOR, ARTstor, Portico, and Aluka – has a unique perspective on this shifting environment. There is ongoing discussion about the evolving Web (or Web 2.0): the migration of the Internet from a platform to a service; the network effect that encourages (and values) contributions and collaborations; and a shift in software and services to a participatory model. This evolution is changing libraries, publishing, and scholarship. In particular, it is fundamentally changing the paradigm of scholarly communication, and this presentation will examine this change.

VALA2008 Session 15 Burton

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperThe metadata coalface for digital repositories

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 15: Metadata
Thursday 7 February 2008 14:00 – 14:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-15-burton

Adrian Burton

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

Chris Blackall

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

Scott Yeadon

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

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VALA2008 Session 15 Burton Paper 87.84 KB
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VALA2008 Session 15 Burton Podcast 13 MB

Abstract

In this paper, we examine a range of metadata-related issues facing the developers and maintainers of digital repositories in Australia. We discuss metadata developments in the areas of digital preservation, repository interoperability, and collection-level discovery services in the context of a range of innovative repository projects designed to improve metadata creation, management and sharing within the Australian higher education and research sector.

VALA2008 Session 15 Dewhurst

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperPeople Australia: a topic based approach to resource discovery

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 15: Metadata
Thursday 7 February 2008 14:35 – 15:05
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-15-dewhurst

Basil Dewhurst

Manager, Resource Discovery Services, National Library of Australia
http://www.nla.gov.au

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VALA2008 Session 15 Dewhurst Paper 260.45 KB
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VALA2008 Session 15 Dewhurst Podcast 10 MB

Abstract

The National Library has been enabling electronic resource discovery since 1981, when the Australian National Bibliographic Database was launched. Over the past decade, the Library has made discovery services such as Picture Australia, Music Australia and Libraries Australia freely available to a broad public. These services ensure that researchers gain rapid and easy access to the collections of the National Library and those of other libraries and collecting institutions. This paper introduces People Australia, a new collaborative topic based resource discovery service that the National Library is creating. The paper describes the service, demonstrates how it will significantly improve cross-domain resource discovery for researchers, and describes how People Australia will interchange metadata and enable the sharing of metadata about parties.

VALA2008 Session 16 Iezzi

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperInformation access: forging new paths

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 16: Accessibility
Thursday 7 February 2008 14:00 – 14:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-16-iezzi

Tony Iezzi

Manager Information Access Services, Vision Australia
http://www.visionaustralia.org

Tony Plumb

Manager i-access Program, Vision Australia
http://www.visionaustralia.org

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VALA2008 Session 16 Iezzi Paper 179.53 KB

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Abstract

Vision Australia (VA) has a bold new plan of making 100% of information available to its clients in accessible formats. Vision Australia Information Library Service has introduced a number of revolutionary new services, making current news and information available to people who have a print disability. Emphasis is on multiple access methods and format choices for clients using technology that maximises client choice. These services are being developed as part of a five year plan called the i-access program, at an estimated cost of $30 million dollars over five years.

VALA2008 Session 16 Pilarski

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperReaching the audience using podcasts, SMS/texting and blogs at the University of Newcastle Library

VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 16: Accessibility
Thursday 7 February 2008 14:35 – 15:05
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-16-pilarski

Carla Pilarski

School Librarian, University of Newcastle
http://www.newcastle.edu.au

Debbie Posker

School Librarian, University of Newcastle
http://www.newcastle.edu.au

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VALA2008 Session 16 Pilarski Paper 352.96 KB
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VALA2008 Session 16 Pilarski Podcast 9 MB

Abstract

This paper discusses and highlights the ongoing journey at the University of Newcastle Library in the use of emerging Web 2.0 technologies. The University of Newcastle Library staff have “looked ahead” and identified new exciting ways of delivering Library Information and services to assist clients, in person, or online. Specific initiatives were developed which supported the goal of using emerging Web 2.0 technologies to facilitate user collaboration to resource sharing and effective use of the Library website.