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National Library and Information Technicians Symposium, 27-29 September 2017 North Sydney: bridge to knowledge

This conference paper discusses how library technicians and their IT colleagues can work collaboratively to the benefit of staff, the organisation and most importantly, library patrons. 

Information technology is vital to ensuring the smooth running of all library systems and services. However many libraries face challenges with IT staff to implement new projects and provide a responsive service to library patrons. Improved interpersonal relationships between library staff and information technology workers achieve positive outcomes for library patrons and the organisation as a whole. This issue is important for library technicians in particular, as they often have increased contact with IT staff through the nature of their roles. This paper will recommend measures that establish a good foundation for library technicians to successfully collaborate with IT. 

In 2013, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) set out to investigate (1) How will libraries remain relevant for users? (2) What changes will institutions and individuals in the sector experience? (3) Will ‘library and information professional’ continue to be a necessary and desirable occupation? Three years on, we have reviewed the themes, actions and what we have learned since the original investigation. This is the May 2017 update of the Future of the LIS Profession: School Libraries report.

In 2012, Australian libraries and library associations came together behind the National Year of Reading, linking together all the great things that are already happening around books, reading and literacy, and giving them an extra boost, with inspirational programs and events taking place across the country.

There were more than 4,000 events, $5.6 million in in-kind support, $26 million-worth of media coverage, much of it highlighting the fact that nearly half the population struggles without the literacy skills to meet the most basic demands of everyday life and work. There are 46% of Australians who can't read newspapers; follow a recipe; make sense of timetables, or understand the instructions on a medicine bottle.

Following on from the success of the campaign, the 15 founder partners decided to carry forward the Love2read brand into 2013, making the most of the momentum that had been created during the National Year of Reading. In 2017, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and book industry partners broadened the campaign into the Australian Reading Hour.

In 2013, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) set out to investigate (1) How will libraries remain relevant for users? (2) What changes will institutions and individuals in the sector experience? (3) Will ‘library and information professional’ continue to be a necessary and desirable occupation? Three years on, we have reviewed the themes, actions and what we have learned since the original investigation. This is the May 2017 update of the Future of the LIS Profession: Public Libraries report.

ALIA Universities and Research Libraries (URLs) ACT, 14 September 2017 Canberra: Strange bedfellows - partnerships and collaborations in the age of digital disruption

The ALIA URL group provides a networking and information-sharing forum for all levels of library staff interested in issues and trends affecting the development of university and research libraries. 

This seminar provides an insight into the ways information professionals in academic and research institutions are working with a broad range of partners to apply their skills in new and creative ways to demonstrate value and impact, curating research data, managing repositories and building online collections. 

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Schools and the Victorian Catholic Teacher Librarians (VCTL) make available to school communities 'A Manual for Developing Policies and Procedures in Australian School Library Resource Centres'. It is the result of a joint working party and has been published to support the professional practice of staff in school libraries.

This manual sets out how to develop the policies and document the procedures that are essential for exemplary library management practices. The implementation of these policies and procedures aims to ensure equitable access to resources for all in the school community. A school library that is well managed is in the best possible position to offer the range of library programs and services that are essential to support the school’s student learning goals.

ALIA Information Online 2017 Conference, 13-17 February 2017 Sydney: data information knowledge

Lunchtime Talk: Information Online wrap-up, April 2017

This report provides an overview of conference sessions which focus on enhancing the user experience and interaction with collecting institutions whether this is online, through public spaces, or through their collections.

This document outlines the Australian Library and Information Association's position on ebooks and elending. It includes ALIA's values, goals and objectives and guiding principles for ebooks and elending. ALIA's overaching principles and operational principles are also stated.

Australian school libraries power high performance government, Catholic and independent schools through providing modern learning environments, digital hubs, developing student research skills, promoting reading for pleasure, providing curriculum support and cybersafety education, celebrating diversity, enabling participation and access, coordinating special programs, and building communities.

This submission to the ALIA Board of Directors from the ALIA New Generation Advisory Committee (NGAC) discusses the government's plans for postal vote regarding regarding same-sex marriage. The postal plebiscite will be conducted on a voluntary basis and a final result will be secured by 15 November 2017. 

While there are many issues concerning the validity of the postal plebiscite including the integrity of the electoral roll, voter fraud, lost ballots and votes being administered by the Australian Bureau of Statistics without protections of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918; like many MPs and concerned Australian citizens, fundamentally the ALIA New Generation Advisory Committee (NGAC) feels that this process is going to hurt LGBTQIA+ people.

Relevance 2020 was a joint initiative of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Charles Sturt University (CSU) to consider the need for further development of library and information science (LIS) research infrastructure in Australia to address gaps in LIS knowledge.

This report provides the results of six LIS research events in Australian capital cities in late 2016 that had the main purpose of connecting academics, researchers and practitioners in order to help align future research projects and activities in the Australian LIS profession.

This report summarises the content and outcomes of the consultations, providing an overview of the six events, a list of priority research areas, and recommendations for building a richer research culture in the Australian LIS field.

National Library and Information Technicians Symposium, 27-29 September 2017 North Sydney: bridge to knowledge

This conference paper identifies elements that need to be considered when creating a strategy to future-proof one’s LIS career. These elements include Experience, Networking, Attitude, Foresight, and ongoing, relevant Professional Development. Far from being something to fear, we feel that by embracing the enormous potential that lies before us, and taking steps to adapt and learn, library professionals can indeed flourish in a rapidly changing environment, and seize the enormous opportunity at hand. 

This submission by the Australian Library and Information Assocation (ALIA) comments on the Draft 2016 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap.

ALIA thanks the Expert Working Group (EWG) for listening to the case put forward by humanities, arts and cultural organisations, and for including Platforms for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) as one of its recommended nine focus areas. We are also pleased to see the National Library of Australia’s Trove identified, with others, as an existing national research infrastructure asset.

ALIA reiterates a request for the EWG to make explicit reference to the important role of Australian library and information professionals in making data more accessible and discoverable for science and humanities researchers. ALIA also urges the Government to include a representative from the library and information sector if a Research Infrastructure National Advisory group were to be formed in order to take full advantage of the knowledge and skills of the professionals we represent.

ALIA Information Online 2017 Conference, 13-17 February 2017 Sydney: Data Information Knowledge

[Peer reviewed] This conference paper discusses the development of a case law database for Queensland police prosecutors.

Abstract: What can you get when you mix a time-poor police prosecutions unit, a team of committed librarians and a technology initiative dedicated to improving prosecution practice and efficiency? As QPS Library Services has discovered, actually, many great things! In partnership with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) Prosecution Corps, Library Services has redeveloped an existing information portal into a ‘one stop shop’ for all police legal resources, including a custom-made case law database which enables information access and sharing across prosecution units. This paper will share the story of our partnership with the QPS Prosecution Corps, and the evolution of the Case Law Database as a statewide data and information tool.

Since 1991, QPS Library Services has enjoyed a close working relationship with the QPS Prosecution Corps, providing information resources, research services and training support. There are around 270 prosecutors across Queensland, handling approximately 95% of all criminal matters in the Queensland Magistrates Courts. The prosecutors work in a busy environment that is unpredictable and time sensitive. They rely on experience, informed practice and research to guide their decision making. This is where Library Services is able to provide the most support. Since the advent of the QPS ProsTech Initiative in 2013, we have been able to leverage off an increased connection to technology in order to provide greater access to information at point of need.

The ProsTech Initiative was developed by QPS Legal Services to investigate new capabilities for prosecutors within the court room, including secure access to QPS systems utilising the Queensland Government’s Public Safety Network. The first stage of the initiative saw a rollout of laptops to prosecutors throughout the state to enable mobile access to information and systems wherever they may be. Working in partnership with the ProsTech project team, Library Services developed a ‘one stop shop’ for prosecutors: a single point of access for legal resources, case law, reference materials, manuals and more. The ‘one stop shop’ enables seamless access to legal information resources via QPS laptops from within the court room, a functionality not available to police prosecutors in other states.

As part of the ‘one stop shop’, a customised in-house database of frequently used legal cases was also created using the Library’s SirsiDynix Symphony and Enterprise software. Cases were hand-picked for inclusion by Library staff and QPS prosecutors across the state and catalogued by a dedicated librarian over a 1 year period. The Case Law Database currently holds over 1000 cases with metadata specifically of interest to QPS Prosecutors. It has allowed for a huge knowledge gap to be filled as it includes cases not available in other commercial databases. It has also enabled greater information and knowledge sharing across regional units, while preventing duplication of resources and potential breaches of copyright by inpidual teams saving copies of case law locally.

The ProsTech Initiative, including the ‘one stop shop’, was a finalist in the QPS 2015 Awards for Excellence. 

ALIA Schools Professional Development Seminar, 27 May 2017 Kew, Victoria: Reading: the escape route

The seminar is for primary and secondary teacher librarians and others who are responsible for school library services and/or engaging students in reading and developing a love of literature. This presentation (PowerPoint slides) outlines how Loyola College promotes reading in the school community.

HLA News: National News Bulletin of Health Libraries Australia - The national health group of the Australian Library and Information Association

Contents: Librarians and research: the ethics committee -- Convenor's focus -- Let's talk in 2018: Twitter chat series and questions about this issue of HLA News -- Whither resource sharing -- Applications open: HLA/Medical Director Digital Health Innovation 2018 Award and the Anne Harrison 2018 Award -- Opinion piece: attribution and acknowledgement -- Holiday challenge: take the Chief Scientist's storytime pledge -- Conference report: HIMAA/NCCH Conference -- Member spotlight: Taryn Hunt -- Professional development diary dates.

ALIA Schools Professional Development Seminar, 26 August 2017 Fitzroy, Victoria: How school libraries can improve engagement with the differentiated learner

The seminar is for primary and secondary teacher librarians and others who are responsible for school library services and/or involved in learning and teaching programs. This presentation (PowerPoint slides) supports the session discussing dyslexia in reading and how data contributes to building a better understanding of the learner.

National Library and Information Technicians Symposium, 27-29 September 2017 North Sydney: bridge to knowledge

This conference paper discusses how TasTAFE Libraries, by establishing DigiLabs, have aimed to concentrate on digital literacy skill sets with a focus on areas such as: cloud computing, coding using robotics, social media, virtual reality, new technologies (how to use a 3D printer and scanner), and developing an ICT mindset. The DigiLabs were developed to provide not only access to new technologies but the physical space to learn those technologies.

National Library and Information Technicians Symposium, 27-29 September 2017 North Sydney: bridge to knowledge

This conference paper discusses the similarities and commonalities between music recording studios and libraries. 

Contents: Membership -- Meetings -- Summary of main activities -- Brief comments about how this work has aligned with the ALIA Strategic Plan -- Forward plans -- Summary of the sector/topic.

National Library and Information Technicians Symposium, 27-29 September 2017 North Sydney: bridge to knowledge

This conference paper discusses initiatives to break down barriers among different age-groups in the community through collaborative programs.

Libraries have a unique strength within their communities, catering specifically to their local population as well as being of vital national importance. Through access to certain technologies, resources, and services, libraries contain an array of learning potentials. Coupling this with the patronage of a wide spectrum of demographics, a library has the capacity to improve a community's social cohesion. Of concern here are ways to improve the local digital literacy through partnerships between adults and youth. By utilising knowledge of the more technological savvy to teach those lacking such an understanding, libraries can assist others in engaging in an advancing, technologically dependent era.

National Library and Information Technicians Symposium, 27-29 September 2017 North Sydney: bridge to knowledge

This conference paper discusses how the University of Sydney Library, in its traditional model, was no longer meeting all the needs and expectations of students. As libraries everywhere are adapting their public face to providing more inclusive, collaborative services, the University Library looked for new ways to engage with and support its community. 

This ALIA statement outlines the recommended qualities and attributes required for senior leadership positions in the library and information sector.

Adopted 1991. Amended 2002, 2008, 2017.

In 2015, the Executive of the Australian Government Libraries and Information Network (AGLIN) commissioned a study into Commonwealth Government library and research services. Following a literature review discussing the issues and challenges facing contemporary government information services (Hallam & Faraker, 2016), relevant organisational data about the individual services was collected through an online service, and library staff shared their views and insights in a series of focus groups. The research findings were presented in an Options Paper, which outlined four potential models for service delivery the government library and information services (Hallam, 2016).

One major limitation with the initial research project was noted: the timing of the study, late in the year, meant that it was not possible to involve senior members of the Australian Public Service in the study. The Stage 2 project, Consultation with Senior Executives and Policy Managers in Government Agencies, seeks to address these shortcomings. The value of the study lies in engaging the research subjects in discussions about the future of library and information services to support government staff working in research, policy and regulatory agencies.

ALIA Information Online 2017 Conference, 13-17 February 2017 Sydney: Data Information Knowledge

This poster presentation discusses use of augmented reality through mobile applications to facilitate learning experiences in the library.

ALIA Information Online 2017 Conference, 13-17 February 2017 Sydney: Data Information Knowledge

This conference paper examines how the Northern Territory Library (NTL) utilised social media to transform the reach and impact of its public programs, propel donations and redefine its relationship with the local community.

Cultural institutions support communities, and communities are increasingly explicit about what they like and don’t like, their interests and preferences. The question is, are we listening? Every community uses social media differently so it is critical to work out the patterns of engagement among key target audiences by asking why it is that certain content evokes such a significant response, what makes it unique and what we can offer. If the preservation and safeguarding of a community’s history is to remain a key role of cultural institutions, then time spent understanding the social ecosystems in which they operate can be invaluable. Social media has an underexplored potential to detect the significance of cultural materials to a community, and could be used to identify future donations and make collection development processes more porous. This offers rich opportunities to build meaningful, genuine, engaged relationships and reassert the relevance of our organisations and collections to our communities. Rather than telling a community how important our services are, it is far more valuable to show them, and on their terms, by making timely contributions to issues and ideas relevant to them.

The Lost Darwin case study demonstrates what happens when you carry that engagement philosophy into physical spaces as well, respecting the curatorial preferences of that community enough to share control. Rather than speculating what content will interest them, social media offers us an opportunity to closely examine their preferences and use these to inform our programming and collection development strategies. The distributed curation model is an opportunity for cultural institutions to bring fresh, organic content into their spaces, validating the choices and experiences of their audience in the formal institutional setting. It shows audiences that we value their unique perspectives and experiences, deepening engagement and our responsiveness to current cultural dialogues within the digital landscape. That said, social media is not without its own inherent bias, privileging those with the means of access. What further opportunities could online social networks offer cultural institutions in representing marginalised or unpopular perspectives?

Together with these questions, cultural institutions also need to consider where management of social media sits within their organisational structures. Social media may not be best placed deep within the marketing or communications team but rather centralised to work across traditional departmental lines, and used to inform organisational priorities and decision-making. It is not just another marketing or publishing platform and is certainly not something that simply requires ‘monitoring’ or ‘maintenance’. To see it that way is to miss the opportunity that social media offers cultural institutions. It’s a rich stream of ideas, a social thermometer, a collaborative curation tool for programming and a treasure trove for strategic collection development. Indeed, it can probably be even more than that - we just don’t know it yet.

ALIA Information Online 2017 Conference, 13-17 February 2017 Sydney: Data Information Knowledge

This conference paper discusses the management of public library user feedback.

Abstract: State Library of Queensland (SLQ) is committed to providing welcoming and engaging experiences for all visitors. To meet this commitment requires understanding from our visitors’ perspectives so in April 2014, State Library of Queensland implemented Tell us, a centralised visitor feedback database. This tool, managed by the Visitor Experience team, allows us to gather, analyse and respond to complaints, compliments, suggestions and comments from multiple channels. These channels include online forms, comment cards and verbal feedback. As a result, SLQ has greater visibility and awareness of our visitors’ needs and expectations. By analysing the feedback data, we have been able to identify changes and improvements to what we do and how we do it.

This paper will report on the successful collection and analysis of data via the Tell us database. This case study will also include data from our slightly whimsical Happiness touchscreen exit poll which was available in our Reception foyer from July 2015. In particular, this paper will explore the next stage of implementation – the reporting of collated feedback back to our visitors. In the interests of transparency and visitor engagement, the Visitor Experience team is aiming to close the feedback loop by presenting data about the feedback we receive and the changes we have undertaken in response back to our visitors. To do this, we are exploring how to communicate feedback responses via social media, traditional media channels and digital signage. This paper will report on our progress with making this feedback data accessible and comprehensible to visitors. It will also discuss the challenges associated with communicating responses to feedback. This paper is relevant to the theme of Data and information discovery as we outline how we are making data accessible and comprehensible and examine opportunities to create dialogue with our visitors.

ALIA Information Online 2017 Conference, 13-17 February 2017 Sydney: Data Information Knowledge

[Peer reviewed] This conference paper examines the results of a survey investigating teacher librarian attitudes towards curriculum resource alignment and crowd sourced metadata.

Abstract: Teacher librarians (TLs) are ideally placed to meet resource needs for Australian teachers and students, but have an expressed need for greater support in matching (or ‘aligning’) local and online resources to educational objectives such as those specified in the Australian Curriculum (eg Softlink 2014). This kind of alignment has been identified as being a crucial ingredient for improved student outcomes. Education Services Australia (ESA) has aligned digital resources to the Australian Curriculum since 2011. The Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS) is a business unit of ESA that creates and distributes MARC records to 93% of Australian school libraries. Whilst SCIS has not traditionally provided curriculum-alignment data, it is investigating how this might be done to best meet the needs of schools and fit TL workflows whilst being viable in terms of associated costs and resources. In his discussion of evaluator-driven alignment, Chadwick (2016) identified that TLs were well suited for making resource alignment judgements. Whilst doing this work within their own collection may benefit their school community, ESA is interested in the potential for TLs to create alignment data collectively. The viability of this is likely to depend on factors including TL motivation and capacity, and technical infrastructure for collating such data. 

This paper describes an online survey of 586 school library staff, conducted by ESA between 1 February and 11 March 2016. The survey examined TL attitudes towards resource alignment, the current alignment practices occurring in libraries, and TL opinions towards crowd-sourced alignment metadata. A large majority of respondents felt that alignment data would benefit both the school and the library. However, there was less support for alignments generated by other TLs than there was for alignments generated by an agency such as SCIS. It was important to respondents that resources were aligned to appropriate learning areas and year levels, and strong preferences were expressed for some learning areas over others. A possible mechanism for collecting and distributing crowd-sourced alignment metadata is presented in the form of a widget installed on the SCIS Voyager catalogue. By saving teacher time and directing students to a range of quality resources that directly target national learning priorities, this work has the potential to improve the position of school libraries as key players in whole-of-school delivery of curriculum-based teaching and learning. 

ALIA Information Online 2017 Conference, 13-17 February 2017 Sydney: Data Information Knowledge

[Peer reviewed] This conference paper discusses a project by the University of South Australia to develop a system to manage research ouputs.

Abstract: The challenge of ensuring that research outputs are captured in a timely manner, academics are not frustrated with administrative processes and using powerful tools such as ORCiD to their full advantage is one faced by all universities. Coupled with senior managers’ increasing information needs to use research outputs data to answer key questions such as ‘who should we be collaborating with?’ adds additional pressure for streamlined whole-of-university processes, often when different areas work at cross-purposes. Through an intentional ‘one team’ collaboration between Library, Business Intelligence and Planning, Information Strategy and Technology Services, Research and Innovation Services, and Human Resources teams, UniSA has managed to support schools and academics to deliver enhanced end‐user services and to introduce efficiencies across the organisation with the support of the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Innovation. The benefits of this approach have led to the following in a time period of only 18 months:

• the creation of the Collection of Research Outputs (CRO) online submissions and management system for all UniSA research outputs including journal articles, books and book chapters, conference papers, reports, patents, creative works, and Higher Degree and Masters by Research theses. CRO is currently harvesting 70% of all journal articles
• widespread adoption of ORCiDs
• output metadata being sufficiently complete and of high quality to automatically populate new design publicly-available staff home pages
• significantly increased compliance with UniSA’s Open Access Policy which has required Library staff to develop new workflows to support post‐print lodgement into the University’s institutional Research Outputs Repository (ROR)
• a more complete and up to date source of data to support Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Innovation’s desire to introduce measures of research productivity, which in some cases, will report and benchmark performance on outputs not necessarily included in statutory reporting requirements
• integration of citation counts and Altmetrics, and affiliation and collaboration metadata into staff home pages, staff performance reports and ROR pages.

The project leveraged existing enterprise systems including Appian business process management workflow software, the Alma library management solution and vendor APIs. The system delivers academics automated weekly notifications of new research outputs harvested from Scopus and Web of Science. Academics then either claim or reject the output and upload the post-print where applicable. Academics are also able to use a DOI lookup or manually submit publication details. The development of the new Repository discovery interface was informed by stakeholders and the display also includes additional citation details, funding, and linked research datasets. A comprehensive whole‐of‐university communications plan (including support resources) was executed with capability building sessions delivered by Library and other staff. The system has been in operation since August 2015 and initial uptake has exceeded expectations with academics quickly adapting to and engaging with the new process. Typically, academics claim outputs within a week of notification and the average time for a researcher to review and finalise an output is under five minutes. 

ALIA Information Online 2017 Conference, 13-17 February 2017 Sydney: Data Information Knowledge

This conference paper examines the thinking and planning behind the re-imagined SLV, including developments to the physical spaces, external drivers for change, and the impacts these changes will have both for people using the Library as well as for the staff working in it.

Abstract: State Library Victoria (SLV) has a proud history of innovating and adapting to change throughout its 160 years. In the latest reinvention, SLV has embarked on a major 5-year building redevelopment project. The $83m capital works project will see key heritage spaces transformed, restored and in some case reopened to the public for the first time in decades. The project will see the development of new library spaces, services and programs targeted at specific user groups, including children and families, and start-ups and SMEs. Running concurrently with the capital works project, SLV is redesigning its strategy, operations, service model and workforce plan. This organisational transformation is responding to shifts in community expectations of 21st century libraries, powered by the growing focus on the knowledge and creative economy, and ongoing digital disruption.

This paper will look at the opportunities and challenges in refreshing an established and well-loved institution to ensure it is relevant and contemporary for a diverse range of users and stakeholders now and in the future. We will give a behind-the-scenes view into running a project of this scale, from getting it off the ground and securing funding, through to the competing priorities given consideration in the planning and design stages, and initiating project management and procurement. We will delve into some of the pragmatic issues we are tackling to prepare for operating a reimagined library service.

While still in the middle of the project, we have many useful reflections and learnings to date that will give an insight into the many facets of a project of this scale and complexity. At the ALIA Online Conference 2015, we shared our findings from our Future Service Model project. This paper builds on those findings and takes them to the next stage of implementation. The State Library Victoria is on an exciting path of setting its future direction and exploring new frontiers. This paper will share some of our journey so far.