VALA2018 Proceedings

Session recordings are available through a single link on VALAView, sponsored by SAGE. Visit https://webcast.gigtv.com.au/Mediasite/Showcase/vala2018

The portal asks you to identify yourself as human, but there is no password required.

The 19th Biennial Conference and Exhibition, VALA2018, was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia from 13 – 15 February 2018.

The following papers were presented at VALA2018. See also the VALA2018 Program. Peer-reviewed and lnvited Papers can be accessed individually for each session, or via a single link to Google Drive.

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

VALA2018 Session 15 Newton

Courtney Shalavin and Kristy Newton

Meet them where they are: bringing the Learning Co-Op into the digital space

VALA2018 CONCURRENT SESSION 15
Thursday 15 February 2018, 11:25 – 11:55

Kristy Newton and Courtney Shalavin

University of Wollongong Library

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2018 #s38

Read the paper

Abstract

The University of Wollongong (UOW) Learning Co-Op developed an online portal to complement its physical services, providing support for the development of students’ academic, information, and digital literacies. A user-centred design process was used to identify student needs and create meaningful, relevant content. The project employed student partners to ensure the inclusion of a strong student voice, and integrated a peer-led design strategy where the student partners identified and advocated for the needs of other students. The project utilised a collaborative approach to the creation of resources and service models, working with UOW students and staff from multiple professional units.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.

VALA2018 Session 15 O’Dwyer

Clare O’Dwyer

The benefits of locating the Ask a Librarian chat and other digital library services into the course assessment area of a university learning management system

VALA2018 CONCURRENT SESSION 15
Thursday 15 February 2018, 12:00 – 12:30

Clare O’Dwyer and Ha Trinh

RMIT University Vietnam

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2018 #s39

Read the paper

Abstract

This paper describes the benefits and issues encountered through repositioning digital library services into the course assessment area or folder of a University Learning Management System (LMS). In 2016, the RMIT Vietnam Library embedded the digital library subject guides and Ask a Librarian chat widget into all 170 assessment folders within the LMS. Impacts on indicators of digital literacy, digital inclusiveness and cultural barriers to seeking library support are examined.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.

VALA2018 Session 16 Holley

The strategic rebuilding and positioning of UNSW Special Collections 2014-2018

VALA2018 CONCURRENT SESSION 16
Thursday 15 February 2018, 14:45 – 15:15

Rose Holley

UNSW Canberra

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2018 #s40

Abstract

Unique and Distinctive Collections (UDC) held in libraries, also known as ‘Special Collections’ contain research rich content that is unique, not digitised and difficult to access. These collections are now becoming strategically significant to our organisations, especially in the increasingly competitive academic environment where we all hold similar books and e-resources, but our unpublished content is our point of difference. UDC’s enable us to leverage research and learning opportunities, but only if they are unlocked and accessible.

In 2014 the UNSW made a strategic decision to focus on and invest in the rebuilding and positioning of the UNSW Special Collections which are located at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. Prior to this the Special Collections had been largely inaccessible for a decade. This presentation gives an overview of the four year programme of activities and projects undertaken from 2014 to present, that has moved the Special Collections from a critical state into a strong position for the future. This included a focus on physical content, management and storage; building a new repository; establishing governance; and partnerships with national institutions for data sharing, digitisation, and custody of collections. The Special Collections Strategic Framework 2018-2021 (part of the UNSW 2025 Strategy) will guide future work on collecting, curating and digitising collections.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.

VALA2018 Session 16 Breeding

Marshall Breeding

Strategic library technologies: current realities and future possibilities

VALA2018 CONCURRENT SESSION 16
Thursday 15 February 2018, 15:20 – 15:50

Marshall Breeding

Library Technology Guides

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2018 #s41

Read the paper

VALA2018 Session 16 Breeding Video 0.00 KB

Download

Abstract

Libraries depend on strategic library management and discovery technologies that power their work behind the scenes and patron-facing services. The industry that creates these strategic library technology products has seen profound changes in recent years through business dynamics such as horizontal and vertical consolidation. Mergers among the slate of companies developing library management systems now approach the limits of consolidation tolerable by the library economy. Beyond this type of consolidation, top-level companies offering a diverse portfolio of products and services to libraries have begun to expand their involvement with these strategic technologies, exploiting synergies possible among content, technology, and services.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.

VALA2018 Session 17 Han

A sustainable approach to in-house eLearning resource development: a case study

VALA2018 CONCURRENT SESSION 17
Thursday 15 February 2018, 14:45 – 15:15

Amy Han, Steven Yates, Amanda Eaton and Janice Pinder

Monash University

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2018 #s42

Read the paper

Abstract

This paper describes the in-house re-development and evaluation of an existing online resource that supports students throughout their academic learning journey. The Monash University Library Research and Learning Online (RLO) project incorporated a number of eLearning development practices, as well as devising suitable procedures for completing eLearning projects, within its complex work environment. The evaluation described in this paper suggests that the project was largely successful, with contributing features such as templates, examples, workshops, collaboration and retreats that also enabled professional learning. Recommendations were made both on improving the project and for others seeking professional development inspirations in similar situations.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.

VALA2018 Session 17 Warburton

Peter Neish

Jennifer Warburton

Upskilling by doing: integrating data management planning and online learning

VALA2018 CONCURRENT SESSION 17
Thursday 15 February 2018, 15:20 – 15:50

Jennifer Warburton and Peter Neish

The University of Melbourne

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2018 #s43

Read the paper

Abstract

Managing Data @Melbourne is a new program, aimed at graduate researchers at the University of Melbourne, which seeks to raise the level of research data management skills. Building on previous work by the University of Edinburgh, the program has found innovative ways of tackling blended learning at scale and leveraging data management planning tools to maximise participant engagement. This paper summarises the University of Melbourne Library’s journey from an initial pilot in 2014 through to a full rollout of the comprehensive program in 2017.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.

VALA2018 Session 18 Morey

Rickie Morey

When you need to debate, make sure it is well planned: developing communication strategies through online roleplay

VALA2018 CONCURRENT SESSION 18
Thursday 15 February 2018, 14:45 – 15:15

Rickie Morey and Chris Rawson

Deakin University

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2018 #s44

Read the paper

Abstract

This paper describes a case study of Deakin University Library’s role in creating an online roleplaying assessment in a first year unit of Environmental Sustainability. They are tasked with judging the quality and reliability of information, by participating in an activity reflecting real communication challenges in the sustainability field. Librarians and academics created an original assessment, using a uniquely developed online debating platform. The outcomes included improved student success and improved critical thinking. Based on a comparison of 2016 and 2017 unit success rates, this assessment was a successful collaboration between librarians and academics.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.

VALA2018 Session 18 Howard

Kim Lewin

Sarah Howard

Virtual reality content for higher education curriculum

VALA2018 CONCURRENT SESSION 18
Thursday 15 February 2018, 15:20 – 15:50

Sarah Howard, Kevin Serpanchy and Kim Lewin

QUT Library

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2018 #s45

Read the paper

Abstract

Virtual Reality content has quickly become embedded into popular culture and everyday purposes. Interaction within a virtual environment has enormous possibilities for a number of different industries such as business, healthcare, entertainment, architecture, engineering and all levels of education. This paper will discuss the important role of Virtual Reality within higher education, and how Virtual Reality was explored as a result of a collaborated research project between the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Library and ProQuest in an endeavour to provide high quality Virtual Reality content and resources to the staff and students within QUT Faculties and beyond.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.

VALA2018 Plenary 6 Verhoeven

The Library is Open. Or is it?

VALA2018 PLENARY SESSION 6
Thursday 15 February 2018, 16:20 – 17:30

Deb Verhoeven

University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2018 #p6

View the video of the presentation on the VALA2018 GigTV channel here:

VALA2018 Plenary 6 Verhoeven Video 0.00 KB

Download

Abstract

This presentation will explore the imperative for open data in a closing down world.

Looking to the “collections as data” movement it will evaluate different approaches to delivering and using library collections to build humanities-oriented information platforms that demonstrate the various ways making connections and following trails of information relationships can be materialised in digital environments.

Through the prism of these practical examples larger questions will be considered: What does it mean to give shape to relationships? Can we recognize the quality of relationships by their shape? And if the answer is yes (or even maybe) then what are the implications of this? For how we understand ourselves? And for how we might redress the uneven patterns of interaction and co-existence that shape our day-to-day lives?

How might data visualisations for example, uncover and bring into sight the structures of domination that underlie the worlds encapsulated by our collections? Could this approach lead us to reconsider seemingly intractable inequities as both systemic and individual; political and personal? How might library collections as data go beyond describing, or even analysing or “figuring” things out, and become instead the basis for a new type of library engagement that grapples with the urgent need for intervention?

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.