VALA2016 Proceedings

Session recordings are available through a single link on VALAView. Visit https://webcast.gigtv.com.au/Mediasite/Catalog/catalogs/vala16

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The VALA2016 18th Biennial Conference and Exhibition was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia from 9 – 11 February 2016.

The following papers were presented at VALA2016. See also the VALA2016 Program.

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VALA2016 Session 7 Chua

Beyond library walls: supporting academic capacity building with digital technologies

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 7: Rethink IT
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 12:00 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-7-chua

Sharon Chua

Deakin University, Vic

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VALA2016 Session 7 Chua Paper 109.25 KB
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VALA2016 Session 7 Chua Video 36.00 KB
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VALA2016 Session 7 Chua Slides 347.74 KB
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Abstract

The use of digital technology tools is one of the many ways to help academics meet student-learning needs. With diverse student cohorts and high enrolment numbers, there is also a challenge for library support to be inclusive, engaging and sustainable. Academics are often time poor and unaware of how these digital technologies can be used to contribute to their teaching. This paper is written from a business librarian’s perspective on how academics were supported in learning and utilising digital technologies. It consists of a critical reflection of the journey.

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VALA2016 Session 8 Mason

Ingrid Mason

Linked open data and Australia’s GLAMs

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 8: Geek Speak
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 10:50 – 11:20
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-8-mason

Ingrid Mason

Intersect Australia, NSW

Rowan Brownlee

Australian National Data Service, ACT

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VALA2016 Session 8 Mason Paper 369.95 KB
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VALA2016 Session 8 Mason Slides 4.42 MB
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Abstract

Linked open data (LOD) methods are increasingly being applied to aggregate and integrate data and impact upon data and technical infrastructures enabling resource discovery and interoperability. In October to November 2015, the authors visited nine teams leading the way with LOD practices, in programmes, institutes, universities, and libraries in the USA, Europe, and the UK. This paper presents the nature of LOD methods, the context for practice change, insights from site visits as exemplars of practice change, and an accompanying analysis in support of Australian GLAMs (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) practice change.

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VALA2016 Session 8 Rundle

Building a richly-featured library management platform that puts patron privacy first, using Meteor and Mylar

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 8: Geek Speak
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 11:25 – 11:55
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-8-rundle

Hugh Rundle

Brimbank Libraries, Vic

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VALA2016 Session 8 Rundle Paper 249.95 KB
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VALA2016 Session 8 Rundle Slides 233.07 KB
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Abstract

Professional discourse amongst librarians has long emphasised the importance of user privacy, yet modern library systems have weak privacy protections and poor data security practices. This paper presents a conceptual model for a library circulation system, using the open source encryption software Mylar. The system would provide control over assets for libraries, whilst also allowing patrons to borrow anonymously and access private and secure enriched discovery services.

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VALA2016 Session 8 Betti

GlamMapping Trove

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 8: Geek Speak
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 12:00 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-8-betti

Arianna Betti

University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Thom Castermans, Bettina Speckmann and Kevin Verbeek

Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands

and Hein van den Berg

VU Amsterdam & University of Groningen

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VALA2016 Session 8 Betti Paper 494.62 KB
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VALA2016 Session 8 Betti Slides 426.40 KB
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Abstract

This paper presents the current state of development of GlamMap, a visualisation tool that displays library metadata on an interactive, computer-generated geographic map. The focus in the paper is on the most crucial improvement achieved in the development of the tool: GlamMapping Trove. The visualisation of Trove’s sixty-million book records is possible thanks to an improved database structure, more efficient data retrieval, and more scalable visualisation algorithms. The paper analyses problems encountered in visualising massive datasets, describes remaining challenges for the tool, and presents a use case demonstrating GlamMap’s ability to serve researchers in the history of ideas.

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VALA2016 Session 9 Burrows

Libraries and the digital humanities: partnership, collaboration and shared agendas

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 9: Pathways
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 10:50 – 11:20
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-9-burrows

Toby Burrows

King’s College London, UK

Deb Verhoeven

Deakin University, Vic

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VALA2016 Session 9 Burrows Paper 121.25 KB
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VALA2016 Session 9 Burrows Slides 1.10 MB
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Abstract

Digital humanities is a rapidly growing global interdisciplinary field, reflected in a proliferation of conferences, events, journals, associations, research centres, grants, and courses. Digital humanities has a high profile because of its collaborative activity in building tools, developing services, carrying out projects, and producing ground-breaking research findings. There is a high level of interest from the library community in the digital humanities. This paper looks at the relationship between libraries and the digital humanities from an Australian perspective. The paper draws on the authors’ involvement within the digital humanities community, and especially their experience with developing HuNI: the Humanities Networked Infrastructure, a major digital infrastructure service for the humanities.

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VALA2016 Session 9 Robbins

Jason Ensor

Susan Robbins

Strategic publishing using Journal Finder

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 9: Pathways
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 11:25 – 11:55
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-9-robbins

Susan Robbins and Jason Ensor

University of Western Sydney, NSW

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VALA2016 Session 9 Robbins Paper 330.99 KB
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VALA2016 Session 9 Robbins Slides 922.80 KB
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Abstract

Strategic journal publishing is a complex activity. Identifying appropriate publication outlets is a key component of a researcher’s publishing strategy. Considerations include a journal’s Field of Research (FoR) Code, impact data and Open Access options (mandatory for publications arising from funded research). To afford researchers more writing time but still enable strategic publishing, the Western Sydney University’s Library and Digital Humanities Research Group combined their expertise in publishing support resources, data manipulation and general purpose programming to develop Journal Finder. This toolkit organises existing information relating to journals and impact in ways that are relevant to the Australian situation and easily identifiable.

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VALA2016 Session 9 Pang

Lai Kei Pang

Thinking ahead for the researchers: a multi-pronged approach to research support

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 9: Pathways
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 12:00 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-9-pang

Lai Kei Pang and Hester Mountifield

University of Auckland, New Zealand

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VALA2016 Session 9 Pang Paper 181.42 KB
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VALA2016 Session 9 Pang Slides 1.03 MB
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Abstract

The Research Support Services (RSS) team at the University of Auckland’s Libraries and Learning Services (L&LS) undertakes innovative approaches to engage with researchers in a changing landscape. Two research management systems, Research Outputs and the Research Repository, are embedded into different institutional processes and systems. A BiblioInformatics service is offered to individual researchers, providing guidance and advice for maximising research visibility and an automated platform is available for generating impact reports. Benchmarking reports are produced for senior management using various tools. New ventures include social media workshops and a collaborative effort with Architecture researchers to reconceptualise research outputs and impact.

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VALA2016 Session 10 Salisbury

Fiona Salisbury

Change, capability and culture: building a confident workforce for the future

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 10: Upskilling
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 14:20 – 14:50
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-10-salisbury

Fiona Salisbury, Sahithi Piyasena and Jennifer Peasley

La Trobe University, Vic

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VALA2016 Session 10 Salisbury Paper 498.36 KB
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VALA2016 Session 10 Salisbury Slides 849.64 KB
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Abstract

The biggest organisational change in La Trobe University’s history provided an opportunity for the University Library not only to review its operating model and staffing structure, but also to identify the roles required now and into the future. As part of the review, the Library assessed the capabilities and skills of its staff, created opportunities for strengthening these, and identified new capabilities and skills to meet emerging priorities in the Library and the University. This paper outlines key aspects of these processes that have resulted in the development of a new workplace culture, which explicitly aligns capability, services and partnerships with the University’s strategic objectives.

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VALA2016 Session 10 Edwards

Tom Edwards

“Have you tried turning it off and on again?” Exploring a state-wide ICT skills training project for Victorian public library staff

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 10: Upskilling
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 13:45 – 14:15
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-10-edwards

Tom Edwards

Wyndham City Libraries, Vic

Michelle McLean

Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation, Vic

Jayne Cleave

State Library Victoria

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VALA2016 Session 10 Edwards Paper 247.47 KB
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VALA2016 Session 10 Edwards Slides 880.32 KB
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Abstract

This paper examines the background and initial development of an online training resource, created in response to a comprehensive skills audit of Victorian Public Library Staff in late 2013. The audit revealed a capacity and confidence gap between respondents and manager expectations in the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and general digital literacy. The training resource will address ICT skills and confidence through a hybrid of structured content and challenge/inquiry-based learning and reflection.

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VALA2016 Session 11 Mitchell

Tine Grimston

Pru Mitchell

Introducing an automated subject classifier

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 11: Describing IT
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 13:45 – 14:15
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-11-mitchell

Pru Mitchell, Tine Grimston and Robert Parkes

Australian Council for Educational Research, Vic

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VALA2016 Session 11 Mitchell Paper 139.55 KB
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VALA2016 Session 11 Mitchell Slides 465.54 KB
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Abstract

The library community understands the value of controlled vocabularies in enhancing resource discovery. There is, however, ongoing tension between that value and the cost of maintaining and applying specialist vocabularies. This paper presents the outcomes of a 2014-15 trial of automated subject indexing at the Australian Council for Educational Research. The integration of a machine learning classification tool has resulted in streamlined workflows and increased use of machine-readable data. Insights were gained into the decisions human indexers make in using a controlled vocabulary, and into the importance of quality abstracts and metadata.

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