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Health Libraries Australia Lunchtime seminars 2021: Thursday 15th July and Thursday 22nd July, 1.00-2.30pm. 
 
This seminar presentation (PowerPoint slides) facilitated sharing of results and discussion about PhD research by the author on a Knowledge Management System framework for an Australasia open biomedical repository.

Health Libraries Australia Lunchtime seminars 2021: Thursday 15th July and Thursday 22nd July, 1.00-2.30pm. 
 
This seminar presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses impacts of and responses to open access, and ways to target the future goals of the practice.

This advocacy document [poster] illustrates the ways that Australian special libraries serve clients in government, health, law, business, banking, consulting, research, science and technology, the arts, media and other industries by providing facts not fiction, decision-ready information, usable big data, tailored resources, 24/7 electronic delivery of information, a world view of cutting edge information theory and practice, access to the latest news, staff professional development, information and technology expertise, and preservation services.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.
 
In 2014 the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) recommended the introduction of an American-style fair use, an architecture of non category-based permissible exceptions to the exclusive rights of copyright owners. The conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) supports discussion of the ALRC report and possible futures for Australian copyright law.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) supports the paper "At the edge, collaboration and the blended lecture room: breaking the mould to improve student learning" presented at the ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference.
 
Abstract:
 
Using one subject class as a case study, this presentation will discuss the value of innovation in constructively aligning the teaching of information literacy skills into a subject in terms of student engagement and outcomes. In the context of reimagining an existing subject, the library lecture was completely redeveloped. The results of the first assessment, an annotated bibliography, showed that all students found relevant scholarly resources and all passed.
The foundation BA subject has been taught for 4 years with lectures video conferenced across 2 campuses in a traditional format of 2 hour lectures and a 1 hour tutorial. Library staff taught a 1 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial. The format changed to a 1 hour lecture followed by a 1 hour lectorial focused on skill building and assessment – a blended leture room; and a 1 hour tutorial focused on discussing the lecture content.
 
 
The teachers requested a lecture demonstrating specific skills. They requested and participated in a practice run of the class. The library lecture and resources demonstrated, set the foundation for the following lectorial. Students were engaged and actively participated in tasks and demonstrated sound understanding of information literacy concepts demonstrated in the lecture in terms of credibility, authority, audience, bias and usefulness.
 
 
The redeveloped library lecture took about 40 hours to prepare. This included the development of a detailed run sheet and an assessment question analysed using a People, Events and other Considerations (PEC) methodology. A themed 13 slide PowerPoint presentation used to conclude the lecture was also prepared.
 
 
At all times the process was a true collaboration between library and teaching staff. Student outcomes were at the centre of planning. The teaching staff, were integral to developing an effective library lecture which was constructively aligned with assessment questions and assessment tasks. The library in class time commitment for the subject was reduced from 7 hours to just 3 hours making this innovation in learning support more sustainable.
 
 
The reimagined library lecture was made possible by a willingness to accept constructive criticism; a willingness to work at the edge of comfort zones; a willingness to devote a large amount of time at a very busy time of year; and a willingness to take risks. As Librarians we need to embrace new ideas and practices to facilitate emerging teaching methodologies.
 

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge
 
Abstract:
 
Libraries are frequently at the forefront of innovation and uniquely positioned to develop and deliver new technologies. This paper evaluates the benefits of one such innovation, digital badges. It will explore how badges can be applied in the library and higher education environment by examining the potential of badges to provide verified credentials to students for completing ‘soft skills’ programs, using a case study from the Australian National University. The paper will discuss the challenges involved in implementing a cohesive credential issuing system within a university and suggest areas for future investigation on digital credentials will be explored.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses how the State Library of New South Wales has adopted the ATSILIRN protocols in its use of social media to engage with Indigenous communities and in sharing Indigenous material with the wider community. It provides case study examples of ways in which staff have built capacity and made informed decisions about utilising Indigenous content in social media. The paper aims to inspire others to deliver client services that incorporate the user needs of Indigenous people and communities.

Research Review Seminar Series: Australian public libraries respond to COVID-19, 16 November, 12pm via Zoom.
 
This presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses findings of the report by the presenters: "Understanding Australian public library responses to the COVID-19 crisis". The research aimed to explore the response by public libraries across Australia to the COVID-19 crisis. Its findings will assist public libraries in understanding their own roles and performance in a community crisis and will enable them to better prepare for and react to similar crises in the future so that community needs are met as efficiently and effectively as possible. In addition, the research aimed to identify possible trends in future service and resource provision resulting from measures put in place during the COVID-19 crisis.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.
 
Abstract:
 
Introduction: Established in 1978, CAVAL is a not-for-profit consortium of eleven Australian academic libraries, offering a range of specialised products and services for the benefit of its members and for other libraries in the region. The CAVAL Reciprocal Borrowing Program, enabling higher education staff and students a simple and effective means of borrowing from the print collections of all participating libraries on a walk-in basis, has been coordinated by CAVAL for over 35 years. In addition, from its Melbourne base, CAVAL administers the purpose-built CARM (CAVAL Archival and Research Material) storage facility, preserving and providing access to over a million research volumes deposited into the CAVAL Shared Collection by member libraries, for the benefit of future generations of scholars.
 
Method: In recent years, the number of physical loans transacted between libraries in the Reciprocal Borrowing Program has declined, commensurate with similar declines in lending from their own collections, and partly due to new services such as the BONUS+ request and delivery service. Although these trends are expected to continue, it is anticipated that an ongoing need for physical books will continue in a reduced “long tail” manner. Libraries are buying less and less print, but a portion - particularly in some specific disciplines - remains available in print only. Additionally, as university libraries face continuing budget challenges, services and solutions which optimize access to print collections are needed to improve the cost-effectiveness of both past and ongoing investment in print resources. The use of sophisticated search and discovery systems can enable technical interoperability between disparate library systems to provide un-mediated identification and delivery of materials, and to promote their use in a collaborative resource sharing environment. In response to changes in the use of print both within and between academic libraries, CAVAL has initiated a pilot implementation of the Relais D2D (Discovery to Delivery) software, involving three of its member libraries, and incorporating access to the CAVAL Shared Collection. The pilot system offers un-mediated discovery and request from the collections of the participating libraries and delivery of physical print resources to eligible users via their home libraries. Similar to the service offered by some Australian libraries through the BONUS+ consortium, the Relais D2D software is operational at a number of large US library networks, including Uborrow and BorrowDirect. However, the D2D software is not based primarily on the use of a common library management system, but instead utilizes the NCIP protocol to enable interoperability between different library systems.
 
Results: This paper will describe the aims, implementation and outcomes of the CAVAL D2D pilot, from the experience and perspective of both CAVAL and the participating libraries. The paper will review the pilot process, its strengths and weaknesses, and examine the outcomes in terms of enhanced access to print materials and the potential benefits for both the libraries and their users.
 
Conclusion: The paper will conclude with a consideration of the pilot outcomes in the context of the changing landscape of the sharing of print resources between academic libraries, and will look at how discovery and request systems might not only displace traditional co-operative lending programs but also create potential for new service models and partnerships.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.
This conference paper discusses the challenges involved in making big data accessible. The authors ask: How could we take the hundreds of thousands of program descriptions from the RN website and make them available to Trove users in a meaningful way – so they can discover the one little record in that big data set that is of relevance to them? How do we help digital historians find the answers, before they know what the question is? There are many more collections like that of RN – trusted, completely online and highly valued. This is one example of thinking beyond the edge of our system and the huge benefits it brought.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.
 
Abstract:
 
In 2013, the University of Sydney Library invited Anne Melles and Yasmin Moore from Monash University Library to deliver a workshop on Design Thinking (DT) and its applicability to the academic library setting. DT draws on a diverse range of disciplines to provide a methodological framework for user-centred problem-solving. Following the workshop, a small group was formed to investigate the way in which users move through various spaces within the library (physical and virtual), and to track their experience, broadly described as ‘wayfinding’. Primary aims of the Wayfinding group were to:
 
A. Experiment with DT as a way of identifying user needs and propose user-driven solutions in relation to wayfinding, and
 
B. Develop tools and processes to help colleagues look at user behaviour from a fresh perspective.
 
The group conducted a series of surveys to find out what ‘wayfinding’ meant to library staff. This produced a working definition that guided later activities. A literature scan uncovered methods for uncovering user requirements (McGinn & Kotamraju, 2008; McQuaid, Goel, & McManus, 2003; Vyas, De Groot, & Van Der Veer, 2006). These methods included developing personas which are rich descriptions of users that allow ‘designers’ to step outside their own knowledge domain and see a situation from the user’s point of view. Personas were developed utilising several streams of data, including the University’s statistical reports, the recently completed University of Sydney Library Client Survey 2013 (Insync Survey),1 and focused observation of library users. Further analysis of the Insync Survey data guided the creation of ‘scenarios’ in which users attempt to 'find their way' to complete a task. Personas and scenarios were then brought together to create rich narratives of user journeys through library space. Common themes and issues were then extrapolated from these narratives.
 
In applying DT principles to wayfinding, the Wayfinding group was able to propose more intuitive services grounded in the user experience. The Wayfinding group shared insights with other library project groups, helping colleagues to employ DT in the development of their projects. One instance of such collaboration informed the composition and placement of touchscreens to enhance user navigation in the library.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.
 
Abstract:
 
Defence Science and Technology Organisation Research Library (DSTORL) was facing a challenging future not uncommon to many government libraries that operate services within a shared and highly secured IP environment. A major change to existing connectivity arrangements to online resources and services in June 2012 resulted in the suspension of seamless access and the reintroduction of individual usernames and passwords for DSTO’s extensive range of online resources. The impact on DSTO researchers and Library operations was swift and immediate. A project was initiated to identify, evaluate, test and implement a viable, secure and dynamic solution that would not only restore seamless access to our resources but also extend and exceed current online service delivery using a unique approach to hosted single sign on (SSO) authentication. A further objective was to combine this technology with a customised web scale discovery service. This paper explores the challenges confronting many government libraries in delivering electronic resources and services via restricted and highly secure environments and how one library was able to exploit an opportunity to pioneer an innovative approach and reposition itself as an important enabler to research.
 
The methods by which DSTORL was able to overcome critical obstacles via a unique implementation of OpenAthens (MD) to achieve its vision of ubiquitous access to a nationwide collection 24/7 from any PC or portable device are described. The paper also examines how EBSCO Discovery Service was customised and transformed from a proprietary search tool into the DSTO tailored “SearchLight” by building ‘brand’ recognition in anticipation of the new services.
 
OpenAthens (MD) and SearchLight were launched after a targeted marketing campaign culminating in a 5 day promotional tour across library sites. Five months on, client uptake and reaction is examined, and the change in usage patterns revealed. The conclusion summarises how DSTORL was able to meet DSTO IM&T Operational Plan Initiative 2.2: Define and execute the actions necessary to cater for the needs of the Library to access subscription services and allows an insight into the lessons learned during a project that brought strategic integration of accessibility and discoverability to a uniquely restrictive environment.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.
 
Abstract:
 
The focus on the student experience within the Australian higher education sector is more important than ever. The proposed shake up in university and student funding arrangements, increased competition from private providers and the proliferation in online courses means that a high quality student experience is a key factor in the decision of how and where to study. In this changing environment it is critical that libraries have the agility to innovate quickly, but strategically, and play a key role in the high quality student experience.
 
At the University of Western Australia Information Services, which comprises library and information technology services, has planned and implemented a range of new and improved services to enhance the student experience. This includes the repurposing of library spaces and service points, a campaign to communicate the improvement of services based on student feedback, a new model for improved student IT support and the development of a strategy for social media engagement.
 
This paper will focus on the development and implementation of a social media strategy in the context of these initiatives. The social media strategy was formulated via a survey of academic libraries in the world’s top 100 universities, student feedback, and analysis tools, such as Facebook Insights. The aim of the strategy is to improve student engagement by promoting resources and services more effectively and enhancing the library and IT image, while at the same time continually measuring and evaluating social media usage to ensure ongoing return on investment. The strategy includes a content plan, guidelines for content authors, resourcing requirements, promotion and most importantly, evaluation and review.
 
Within the first few months of implementation the amount of student engagement via social media doubled. In addition, potential new services, such as services to support researchers’ use of social media and collaboration with other sections of the university to enhance the student experience, have been identified. This has led to the need to up skill staff, the creation of new teams to author content for social media platforms and monthly reporting on social media channels, all within existing resources. The ongoing review and improvement of social media is central to the ongoing success of the strategy.
 
If academic libraries are to remain relevant in the changing higher education environment continual planning, innovation, evaluation and change are critical. The development of a social media strategy is an example of how planning and strategy can ensure library services remain relevant and effective.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses the new system launched by UNSW Library in 2013 to manage information about the research outputs produced at UNSW. In addition to the work expected as a part of a major technical implementation, the rollout of this system involved communication and support for up to 15,000 users, demanding skills that no single team at UNSW Library could provide on its own. The situation lent itself to collaboration.
 
Collaboration allows libraries to respond to complex new opportunities and challenges by bringing together diverse knowledge and skills sets. The analysis of UNSW Library’s experiences and a review of the relevant literature identified four key elements for collaboration: interpersonal, developmental, organisational and leadership. This paper will evaluate the collaborative enterprise undertaken at UNSW Library and demonstrate the value collaboration can bring to project delivery within the framework provided by these four elements.