VALA2022 Proceedings

The 21st Biennial Conference and Exhibition, VALA2022, was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia from 14 – 16 June 2022.

The following papers were presented at VALA2022. See also the VALA2022 Onsite Program and Online Program.  Papers will be available to access individually for each session.

The full set of conference proceedings from VALA2022 is available as a single pdf download. This registered publication contains all 42 concurrent sessions (26 Onsite Concurrent Sessions and 16 Online Concurrent Sessions), and is a simple, one-click resource for academics, students and the wider VALA network. (Click HERE or on the image to the right to view and download.)

Session recordings from the Onsite Program are available from this page or through a single link to all Onsite recordings through the GigTV Showcase Channel at https://stream.gigtv.com.au/Mediasite/Showcase/vala2022

Delegates only have access to the Online Platform for 6 months following the Conference.

   All works are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License

VALA2022 Onsite Session 17 Johnson

Exploring open-source discovery through a prototype project

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 17

Wednesday 15 June 2022, 15:50 – 16:20

Danielle Johnson
  • Manager, Digital Experience
  • Deakin University Library
Kathryn Martin
  • Manager, Digital Discoveries
  • Deakin University Library
Jane Miller
  • Director, Digital Libraries and Repositories
  • Deakin University Library

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #s17

Read the paper and view the presentation recording and slides here:

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 17 Johnson Paper 773 KB
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VALA2022 Onsite Session 17 Johnson Slides 1,564 KB
Abstract

This paper explores Deakin Library’s open-source discovery layer prototype project, including the initial drivers, project process, lessons learned, and outcomes. It discusses both technical and experience aspects of establishing our prototype open-source discovery platform. Most academic libraries use proprietary platforms to deliver search and access services. Deakin Library saw an opportunity to build a proof-of-concept open-source discovery layer platform as a way of exploring some of the opportunities, challenges and obstacles related to aggregating content within a single index, interface design and integration with other sources and systems.

Abstract

Danielle Johnson has worked in academic institutions since 2000. Her early library work life was spent coordinating a combined library reference/IT help desk and working with students teaching information literacy skills and digital library products and platforms, before transitioning into library website coordination. In 2008, she left libraries to practice the dark arts of university IT, spending seven years in various roles including website administrator, functional analyst, web development project manager, and service manager. During that time, she completed her Master’s degree in information and knowledge management. Now, as Manager Digital Experience Deakin University, she leads a cross-functional team engaged in UX research and testing, digital content management, experience design and front-end development, applications and integrations, digital project management and emerging technologies. Her team aims to provide consistent, high-quality, and scalable digital solutions for library users. In her role, she’s worked to establish a collaborative, end-to-end approach to identifying, designing and developing and managing experiences. Danielle is future-focussed, and actively seeks opportunities to deliver digital experiences that extend Deakin’s reputation as a driver of leading-edge innovation. At the same time, she has a keen eye on delivering practical, continuous improvement to today’s library experience challenges.

Kathryn Martin has worked in the academic library environment for many years in various capacities. She completed her Library Science degree in 1997, and later Prince2 and Agile project management certificate in 2009. She has worked in most areas of the library including the loans desk, acquisitions, cataloguing, reference, lead the I.L.M.S. team, managed the audio-visual department, and held her current position as manager of the Discovery Technologies team since 2014. Kathryn was chair of the Australasian Innovative User Group from 2011 – 2012. Her responsibilities include the maintenance and improvement of the discovery layer, configuration, problem analysis and resolution of library services platform issues, facilitation of integrations with these services and ensuring that system architecture enables a positive user experience for clients. She has also managed several large projects, including cataloguing of significant slide and pamphlet collections early in her career, and more recently transitioning the library to a new version of the I.L.M.S., assisting the I.T. department with deploying various significant technology updates to Library workstations and implementing various integrations with the library system. Kathryn has a client focus and a passion for innovation in this complex and ever-changing technology driven environment.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License

VALA2022 Onsite Session 18 Chadwick

Machine learning for classifying bibliographic resources: using topical headings to infer alignments to Australian Curriculum learning areas

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 18

Wednesday 15 June 2022, 15:50 – 16:20

Ben Chadwick
  • Director, Research and Information Services
  • Education Services Australia

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #s18

Read the paper and view the presentation recording and slides here:

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 18 Chadwick Paper 355 KB
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VALA2022 Onsite Session 18 Chadwick Slides 1,753 KB
Abstract

Since 2017 the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS) has enabled users to search the SCIS catalogue by curriculum learning area. A rules-based algorithm is used to infer the learning area to which records are aligned. This paper explores the possibility of using machine learning to supplement or replace the current approach. Multi-label supervised classifiers were trained on topical headings from a large dataset of digital learning resources from the Scootle repository. They were then tested on a smaller set of SCIS records and demonstrated adequate results for a subset of learning areas, with better precision than recall. Methods for improving classification are discussed.

Biography

Dr Ben Chadwick is Director, Research and Information Services at Education Services Australia where he oversees the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS) and the Australian Education Vocabularies (IEV), including the linked data Schools Online Thesaurus (ScOT). Ben grew up on Turrbal/Jagera country but now lives on Wurundjeri land, in Brunswick East, with his partner, two daughters and a greyhound.

Aleisha Amohia (Te Ātihaunui-a-Papārangi) (she/her) is a Koha Developer at Catalyst IT in Wellington, New Zealand. She has been working on Koha since 2014. Aleisha recently graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Management and Information Systems).

Chris Cormack is of Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha descent. He has 24 years experience working in the ICT sector, with 21 of those being in the Library ICT sector. He was one of the original developers of the Koha library management system, started in Horowhenua and now used by over 15,000 libraries worldwide. Chris started his professional career working for Te Pūtahi a Toi at Massey University after completing his studies for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Māori Studies and Mathematics. He programmed the backend of the Toi te Kupu system (a catalogue of resources in te reo Māori and for the teaching of te reo Māori) Chris is now Kaihuawaere Matihiko at Catalyst IT.

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 19 Potter

A library social media manifesto

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 19

Thursday 16 June 2022, 09:15 – 09:45

Ned Potter
  • Academic Liaison Librarian
  • University of York, UK

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #s19

View the presentation recording here:

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 19 Potter Video 0.00 KB
Abstract

Since the pandemic began there has been a profound shift in the way we engage with library users. Community has become more important than ever before, and taking risks and showing personality online has been rewarded with more engagement and interaction. But now a lot of libraries report engagement slowing down a little – how do we refresh and re-energise?

This talk examines the way in which social media platforms can work together and separately to truly become part of our communities. We’ll discuss how rough edges can be more engaging than polished perfection; how Instagram has grown in importance (whilst also becoming more complicated to use…); what truly matters in terms of measuring impact; and how to build a larger following for key library messaging. We’ll also talk about the importance of dialogue, and using social media to listen as well as talk.

The talk is framed as a social media manifesto – universal for all library sectors – covering purpose, coordination, approachability, empathy and analysis.

Biography

Ned Potter is an Academic Liaison Librarian at the University of York, and a Trainer for various organisations including the Bodleian and the British Library. He has worked with Libraries across four continents, providing marketing and communication expertise. His book The Library Marketing Toolkit was published by Facet in 2012. Ned can be found online at ned-potter.com and on Twitter at @ned_potter.

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 20 Ahearne

Learning together: four principles for digital literacy learning in libraries

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 20

Thursday 16 June 2022, 09:15 – 09:45

Teishan Ahearne
  • eLearning and New Technologies Facilitator
  • Moreland City Libraries

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #s20

Read the paper and view the presentation recording and slides here:

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 20 Ahearne Paper 284 KB
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VALA2022 Onsite Session 20 Ahearne Slides 837 KB
Abstract

In an increasingly online world, where inequalities have been amplified by COVID-19, public libraries play a crucial role in addressing the digital divide. This paper argues that libraries must look to theory and practice in other fields to develop pedagogically sound digital literacy programs that authentically respond to community need. Drawing on Paulo Freire, Lev Vygotsky and work experience, I developed the Four Principles for Digital Literacy Learning in Libraries. The principles do not dictate the type of library programming but rather guide the pedagogical approach and are intended to be practical and easily applicable.

Biography

Teishan Ahearne is a library worker and media trainer who has a passion for learning and empowering communities. Teishan is the eLearning and New Technology Facilitator at Moreland City Libraries where they coordinated Moreland’s digital literacy programming. Teishan has worked with both adults and youth to support them learning technology in a variety of settings including public libraries, community radio, and community projects.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License

VALA2022 Onsite Session 21 King

Gittin’ techy with it: our journey using Gitbook and crowdsourcing to build a modern not-quite-technical skills guide

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 21

Thursday 16 June 2022, 09:55 – 10:25

Sara King
  • Training and Engagement Lead
  • AARNet
Emma Chapman
  • Team Leader, Information Literacy
  • Auckland University of Technology
Nica Tsakmakis
  • Senior Librarian
  • Australian Catholic University
Mia De Francesch
  • Learning Success Advisor
  • Curtin University
Leah Gustafson
  • Digital Capability Advisor (Arts, Education and Law)
  • Griffith University
Ruth Cameron
  • Coordinator, Digital Library Programs
  • University of Newcastle
Katie Mills
  • Library Manager (Research and Academic Engagement)
  • University of Western Australia

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #s21

Read the paper and view the presentation recording and slides here:

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 21 King Paper 172 KB
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VALA2022 Onsite Session 21 King Slides 1,200 KB
Abstract

It all started with a tweet in late 2019: ‘Is there a book that teaches modern not-quite-technical computer skills?’. When mentioned during a CAUL Digital Dexterity meeting, others jumped on board to turn this idea into a reality. Collaboration started in 2021 to create a freely available, changeable resource that could be open to all. Come along to our virtual presentation and learn about our journey towards this ever-growing digital book – forks in the road, merging lanes, dead ends, speedbumps, and all!

Biography

Dr Sara King is the Training and Engagement Lead for AARNet. She is focused on outreach within the research sector, developing communities of interest around training, outreach and skills development in eResearch. She is passionate about helping others develop the infrastructure and digital literacies required for working in a data-driven world, translating technology so it is accessible to everyone.

Nica Tsakmakis is Acting Senior Library Coordinator at the Australian Catholic University (Brisbane Campus) and Co-convenor CAUL Digital Dexterity Champions Community of Practice. She is a certified Library Carpentries instructor and has just completed developing a new Arts unit about literature in a digital world. Nica trained as a rare book librarian and was shocked to learn how excited she was about digital literacy and how she can help inform others about it.

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 22 Tindall

Making it happen: a pathway to digital preservation at the University of Adelaide Library

This session is sponsored by Open Athens

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 22

Thursday 16 June 2022, 09:55 – 10:25

Alexis Tindall

  • Manager, Digital Innovation
  • University of Adelaide Library

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #s22

Read the paper and view the presentation recording here:

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 22 Tindall Paper 221 KB
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VALA2022 Onsite Session 22 Tindall Video 0.00 KB
Abstract

The University of Adelaide Library has developed a Digital Preservation Strategy and Roadmap as part of its commitment to expert information management, collection management and preservation, and support for information resource discovery. This paper describes the collaborative development of the Strategy and Roadmap, which drew on the resources and peer network of the Digital Preservation Coalition. Successful delivery of the Digital Preservation Strategy and Roadmap will involve cultivation of a skilled, aware and collaborative workforce. It will depend initially upon the development, adoption and refinement of improved and new processes, but should, in time, become part of business as usual.

Biography

Alexis Tindall joined the University of Adelaide Library as Manager, Digital Innovation in April 2020. Prior to that she worked with the Australian Research Data Commons, and related projects, to support data-enabled humanities, arts and social sciences research, delivering strategic projects and training around data and research infrastructure. She has extensive project management experience in diverse environments. Before joining the eResearch community, she worked in natural history and social history museums, and is passionate about digitisation, open scholarship and improving digital access to GLAM collections and research data.

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VALA2022 Keynote 5 McGovern

The need for a digital clean-up day

VALA2022 KEYNOTE SESSION 5
Thursday 16 June 2022, 11:00 – 12:00

Gerry McGovern
  • Writer, speaker, developer of Top Tasks
  • Author of World Wide Waste

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #k5

View the presentation recording and slides here:

 

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VALA Keynote 5 McGovern Slides 8,100 KB
Abstract

Humans produce enough electronic waste (e-waste) every year to build a Great Wall of China. And with the way e-waste is growing, in thirty years we’ll be able to build two Great Walls of China every year with e-waste. This is highly toxic waste and more than 80% of it is not properly recycled.

Much of the demand for technology is driven by the absolute tsunami of data that is flooding the world. By 2035, it’s estimated there will be more than 2,000 zettabytes produced. To print out just one single zettabyte would require paper from 20 trillion trees. (There are only 3.5 trillion trees on the planet.) 90% of data is not used. It’s trash.

Digital waste is invisible to millions. People think it’s all “in the Cloud”. There is an absolutely huge need for education. Libraries can help educate and train people in why it is so important to hold onto their devices for as long as possible and how to do that. Libraries could organize digital clean-up days, where people are trained in how to delete emails, images, social media posts, etc.

Biography

A highly regarded speaker, Gerry McGovern has spoken about designing simpler digital experiences in more than 40 countries. He has published eight books; his latest, World Wide Waste, examines the impact digital is having on the environment. He developed Top Tasks, a research method which helps identify what truly matters to people.

The Irish Times has described Gerry as one of five visionaries who have had a major impact on the development of the Web.

Gerry has appeared on BBC, CNN and CNBC television, partaken in various radio shows, and featured in numerous print media publications.

 

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VALA2022 Keynote 6 Tairi

Me te toroa i te tau ana i te au: riding the currents in uncertain times

VALA2022 KEYNOTE SESSION 6
Thursday 16 June 2022, 13:00 – 14:00

Kim Tairi
  • Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland University of Technology)
  • Kaitoha Puka (University Librarian)

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #k6

View the presentation recording and slides here:

 

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VALA2022 Keynote 1 Tairi Slides 48,144 KB
Abstract

Me te toroa i te tau ana i te au is a Māori whakataukī. Doctor Hinemoa Elder describes whakataukī (Māori proverbs) as nuggets of wisdom that provide life lessons, guidance, notes of caution and even comfort. This whakataukī is about the toroa or albatross. The bird that I voted for in the most important and hotly contested competition of the year in Aotearoa – Bird of the Year! The whakataukī can be translated to “like the albatross nestled upon the current.”

However, the meaning of the whakataukī is about manifesting resilience. Toroa are majestic, robust and resolute. This is something I have seen repeatedly in the empathetic way that libraries globally have responded to the pandemic. Our resilience comes from knowing our purpose – to work for and with the communities we are part of. During this kōrero, I will share stories of resilience. How technology, creativity, hard-work and amazing people have combined to keep services running and the connection to each other and the community alive. Along the way I will talk about leadership, my return to Aotearoa NZ and the work we do together at AUT.

Biography

Ko Maungatautari te maunga; Ko Waikato te awa; Ko Waikato te iwi; Ko Kim Tairi tōku ingoa. He Kaitoha Puku ahau ki Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau e mahi ana.

Kim Tairi is an indigenous, intersectional feminist and librarian. Her career spans more than 25 years in both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The Kaitoha Puka (University Librarian) at Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau (AUT) she is Aotearoa’s first Māori University Librarian and a proud Nuku Woman.

Kim is an avid social media user and fashion-lover. She is going to share some of the joys and challenges of leading a library during a pandemic.

 

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 23 McLean

Thriving instead of surviving – managing technology projects during COVID-19 lockdowns

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 23

Thursday 16 June 2022, 14:10 – 14:40

Michelle McLean
  • Information Services Coordinator
  • Casey Cardinia Libraries

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #s23

Read the paper and view the presentation recording and slides here:

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 23 McLean Paper 277 KB
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VALA2022 Onsite Session 23 McLean Slides 1,600 KB
Abstract

Casey Cardinia Libraries (CCL) were able to retain full staffing through Victoria’s lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, with the vast majority of staff working from home throughout this time. Normally this would mean that scheduled technology projects would be delayed, with staff resources not available on site for implementing, testing, rollout, and training. CCL took the opportunities offered by tools, predominantly Microsoft Teams and Litmos, to go ahead with many technology rollouts. This presentation focuses on how CCL was able to use these tools to engage remote working staff in the development, testing, training, and rollout of a number of our technology projects. This will include how CCL utilised these tools, and a review of the success of their use.

Biography

Michelle is passionate about library services, all things digital and professional development, which make up her role as Information Services Coordinator at Casey Cardinia Libraries. She is a past-recipient of a Ramsay Reid Scholarship (State Library of Victoria), alumni of the Aurora Institute, is a published author and has presented at many conferences and seminars around Australia, as well as in the US. Michelle is heavily involved in professional development through her involvement in a number of committees, including VALA.

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 24 Amohia

Open source library software: the gift that keeps on giving back

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 24

Thursday 16 June 2022, 14:10 – 14:40

Aleisha Amohia
  • Koha Development Lead
  • Catalyst IT

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #s24

Read the paper and view the presentation recording and slides here:

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 24 Amohia Paper 171 KB
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VALA2022 Onsite Session 24 Amohia Slides 2,300 KB
Abstract

Libraries exist for people to find stories, information, and resources – for communities. It makes sense then that library systems should be designed by communities too. Libraries and open source software are similar in nature, which makes open source library software, such as Koha (the first of its kind globally), the perfect choice. This paper will describe the similarities between libraries and open source software, and the significance of both being designed by and for communities. To support this it will discuss the example of the Catalyst Open Source Academy, which has facilitated the addition of approximately 70 young people to the ever-growing list of Koha contributors, strengthening Koha for over 15,000 libraries around the world.

Biography

Aleisha Amohia (Te Ātihaunui-a-Papārangi) (she/her) is a Koha Developer at Catalyst IT in Wellington, New Zealand. She has been working on Koha since 2014. Aleisha recently graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Management and Information Systems).

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License