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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

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.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is a signatory on a letter to the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Mitch Fifield, expressing strong support for the Productivity Commission's recommendation that Australia should introduce a fair use exception into the Copyright Act 1968.

The letter is signed by 47 stakeholders who believe a fair use exception is a critical reform to ensure that the Australian economy is best placed for a strong digital future.

The benefits that fair use reform would provide for libraries, and other cultural institutions, are significant. The reform would allow them to open up collections and digitise historical works where copyright owners cannot be found. Australians could take advantage of this cultural heritage to use these work in projects from family histories to memes.

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.

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

This paper (abstract) outlines the adoption of flipped learning techniques as an approach to professional development.

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. 

Compiled by the State Library of Queensland's Regional Access and Public Libraries division on behalf of the National and State Libraries Australasia, this report is an overview of the services, infrastructure, income and expenditure of each state and territory's public libaries.

In 2014-15:

• Australia had 1,631 public library service points and outlets with 1,392 branches, 77 mobiles and 162 other outlets
• over 166.7 million items were lent to 8.2 million members of Australia’s public libraries
• over 114 million customers visited, or more than 9.5 million per month
• over 38 million items were made available for the use of the community and over $130 million was spent on ensuring that these collections remain up to date and relevant
• total expenditure on public libraries increased to over $1.14 billion, representing a 19.6% increase since 2010-2011
• over 194,000 library programs were attended by more than 5.8 million people.

Contents: Membership -- Meetings -- Activities -- Alignment with 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 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 document provides a summary of how the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

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

The ALIA Information Online Conference has been held since 1990 and attracts over one thousand influential professionals from all sectors of the library industry. The conference gives access to key library and information service professionals from Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific, and beyond. The 2017 Conference will be an opportunity to connect over common interests, challenge each other, and engage with some of the most creative and exciting thinkers and innovators from our industry.

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

This conference paper discusses an investigation into a new public library elending model.

Abstract: In late 2015, the State Library of New South Wales (SLNSW) in collaboration with Leichhardt Library and Parramatta City Library embarked on a year-long pilot, called indyreads, to investigate a new elending model. Issues around the availability of ebook titles for elending in Australia and concerns over the prevailing licensing, distribution & pricing models for digital content were prime considerations which informed the development of the pilot. A further impetus for the pilot was the opportunity to work directly with community authors and independent, mid-list and open access publishers to explore ways of making locally important digital content more readily available to readers. indyreads also explored the suitability of the platform for hosting digitised local studies publications including ebooks, oral history recordings and video content from the pilot site collections. ebooks in languages other than English were also purchased.

The two pilot libraries utilised an econtent management platform supplied by our technology partner Odilo, to smoothly integrate digital content (ePub, PDF, MP3 & MP4 files) into their online catalogues providing a seamless discovery, access and download experience for their library members. To facilitate the acquisition of econtent from Australian publishers, the SLNSW developed a NSW Public Library Agreement for Purchasing Electronic Content. The agreement creates a framework which supports perpetual access rights, content preservation and accessibility. The agreement stipulates a one copy one loan model as a default with the flexibility to accommodate greater concurrency at the discretion of the rights holder. The agreement also permits segmented content acquisition and shared consortia collections. The platform can apply digital rights management and concurrent access rules in accordance to the terms and conditions negotiated.

At the time of submitting this abstract indyreads was mid-way through the trial period and will conclude in October 2016. The initial results have been promising with the platform launched and a growing number of local publishers and authors providing content. The paper will provide a full analysis of indyreads with a specific focus on the technology utilised, the development and application of a new licensing agreement and the establishment of direct partnerships with local publishers and authors for the provision of digital content. Future directions beyond the pilot including the possibility of rolling the initiative out across the state will also be discussed.

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

This conference paper discusses a University of Queensland Library project which aims to source 500 publication related datasets and describe them in the institutional repository (IR) - UQ eSpace.

Abstract: The Royal Society Science Policy Centre concluded: “[…] data that underpin a journal article should be made concurrently available in an accessible database”  (2012). This principle is shared by funding bodies worldwide and is supported by a growing number of major publishers (Nature, 2016; PLOS, 2016; The Royal Society, 2016). Many disciplines have subject specific data repositories that align with open data initiatives, such as Dryad and PANGAEA. However, there is a gap in this space which can be partly filled by established institutional repository (IR) services, which offer reliable and robust solutions for publication-related datasets.

The Australian National Data Service (ANDS) and the University of Queensland (UQ) Library are collaborating on a project to explore using the IR (UQ eSpace) to store, describe, and share data underpinning UQ publications. Although pockets of researchers within UQ have well established data sharing practices, a data sharing culture has not yet been institutionalised. This project will allow us to capture the research data and provide us with a context for promoting data sharing practices with researchers. The project has two phases: a pilot that will allow us to create processes and gather feedback, and a larger rollout.

Our initial contact list of researchers included those who recently published in a journal on the Nature Index list or in a PLOS publication, all of which have a data sharing policy. In collaboration with Client Service Librarians, we use tailored and flexible approaches to contact the different researchers and groups. We have offered to create IR records for existing data, even if they are stored elsewhere (e.g. in Figshare). We have used this opportunity to advertise the IR as an attractive alternative for future data sharing activities.  

The project, which will continue to run until mid-2017, has had positive results. By providing a tangible service to meet an identified need we have established UQ eSpace as a useful tool for meeting publisher data sharing requirements. Taking a personalised approach by contacting researchers and groups directly, we were able to gather iterative feedback on our processes and systems, which allowed us to make crucial improvements along the way. 

In conversations with researchers, we have learned about their data sharing practices and pain points, which will inform future Library data management services.

So far, we have discovered that by approaching data sharing in this targeted way we have seen positive outcomes—a greater number of discoverable datasets in the IR and an improved data sharing culture. The data sharing landscape is still evolving and there are considerable issues for researchers and institutions to overcome. However, at UQ we have had positive outcomes with this approach to data sharing. It is too soon for the full impact on the University’s data sharing culture to be measured, but through this process we will continue to improve it one publication at a time. 

Nominations for two vacant general Director positions have been received from four ALIA Members; Alicia Cohen, Jonathon Guppy, Clare O'Dwyer and Anne Reddacliff. This document provides background information on each of these candidates.

ALIA HLA professional development day, held 13 - 14 July 2017 at Building 410, Medical School, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley. Featuring presentations:

• Which review is right for you? Scoping the scope of an evidence synthesis.
• A Librarian’s experience searching for evidence for the Western Australian Group for Evidence Informed Healthcare Practice WAGEIHP.
• Creating sustainable and engaging partnerships.
• Systematic support for systematic reviews: supplementing research consultations with workshops and online tools.
• Systematic overflow: a matrix-like toolkit for sustainable support for Systematic and Systematic-Like Reviews.
• Managing Systematic Review Search Results using EndNote.
• HLA/Medical Director Health Informatics Innovation Award.
• ALIA Fellowship award.
• ALIA PD Scheme Health Specialisation: presentation of certificates to Certified Professionals (Health).
• Gold sponsor presentations.
• Defining Scope: More than Bibliometric Measures (filter for integrated care).
• Stretching past our roles, building and developing true partnerships.
• Differences in MeSH mapping between Ovid Medline and Ebsco Medline.
• Using text-mining tools for search filter development and designing search strategies.
• PubMed searching for systematic reviews – advanced concepts.
• Recent changes to PubMed.
• Searching for grey literature.
• Top 10 Medical and Health Research Data Things.

Australian Library Design Awards and Conference, 19 June 2017 Melbourne

This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses how Casey Cardinia Libraries in Victoria approached the creation of a 21st Century library space.

The Australian Library Design Awards have been created to showcase the best in contemporary library interiors and exteriors in Australia, and to celebrate the investment in libraries made by our nation's institutions, corporations, local, state and territory governments. They have been developed in the context of other competitions internationally, including the American Institute of Architects/American Library Association Library Building Awards and the Danish Agency for Culture Model Programme for Public Libraries Public Library of the Year Award. The entries, shortlisted and winning designs provide case studies in excellent library design for the 21st Century. 

The awards are organised by the Australian Library and Information Association in partnership with the Australian Public Library Alliance and Council of Australian University Librarians. The organising committee includes senior library leaders from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, acting on behalf of colleagues nationally. More than 30 libraries were entered for the inaugural Australian Library Design Awards 2017. Public, school, academic and special libraries all featured in the entries, and there was a special award for the library voted for by ALIA Members.

Explanatory statement for special resolutions considered at the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) 29th Annual General Meeting held on 17 May 2017 at ALIA House, Canberra.

The ALIA Board proposed adding the term 'environment' to the first object of the Constitution and the inclusion of an additional object to endorse the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Article 19 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in response to the many challenges faced by the world today and into the future.

Minutes of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) 29th Annual General Meeting held on 17 May 2017 at ALIA House, Canberra.

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

[Peer reviewed] This conference paper discusses using gaming to teach traditional library information literacy and evidence-based medicine content can be a fresh and pedagogically sound way to engage learners with this material.

Abstract: As US medical education shifts towards competency based education, the methods in which we teach certain topics need to be reexamined. Our evidence based medicine (EBM) curriculum was created several years ago and had been taught with little revision. A period of transition afforded the library an opportunity to step back and reimagine how that content was being delivered during the inaugural session of what has been a 3 part series starting in Quarter 1 (Q1). With a delayed introduction to basic EBM concepts (Q4 vs. Q1) how to best address the gap between current and future needs was a pressing concern. The answer to our dilemma was found in the burgeoning area of educational gaming. Instead of a traditional case-based lecture, the authors decided to develop a game (BINGO) highlighting need to know tools and concepts. This activity was then paired with a previously presented case to provide both context and direct application of the student’s newly acquired knowledge.

To reimagine the session, the authors met with the course leads to get logistical and contextual input. Based on experience, feedback, and emerging educational theory, the librarians decided to make the session as student driven as possible. Utilizing a game provided an opportunity to flip the student learning experience. Instead of receiving a lecture/demo and taking notes, students had the opportunity to engage in team-based learning, using tools already familiar to them (Google), while identifying new resources and concepts related to EBM/research. Direct application of the game content followed when students were asked to identify and use appropriate resources to a known case.  Where students are traditionally focused on solving their cases to get a correct diagnosis, our activity required them to think through and document their search process.

The game itself was well received. From observation, most students seemed actively engaged and eager to compete.  The fact that the activity was team based, timed and incentivized (winning team got to pick prizes from a grab bag) likely helped to drive participation. Prepping the game with a mini-activity, developing a team name, helped to get students in a team mentality. To successfully run this type of activity with 2 groups of 45, a minimum of 4 facilitators are needed to handle logistics. A mid-quarter evaluation will elicit student perception of the activity.

Gaming taps into motivations such as belonging and esteem. Using a gamified approach is an effective method to deliver library content that can be perceived as dry or heavily theoretical.  The camaraderie and focused energy gaming brings can generate engagement at the beginning of a session, which can then be carried through to other activities. Short, targeted games (20 minutes or less), lend themselves perfectly to the adult learner’s attention span. By partnering a game with more traditional forms of teaching (case based scenario) students have the opportunity to both participate in and apply the learning process.

Australian Library Design Awards and Conference, 19 June 2017 Melbourne

This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses global trends in library design.

The Australian Library Design Awards have been created to showcase the best in contemporary library interiors and exteriors in Australia, and to celebrate the investment in libraries made by our nation's institutions, corporations, local, state and territory governments. They have been developed in the context of other competitions internationally, including the American Institute of Architects/American Library Association Library Building Awards and the Danish Agency for Culture Model Programme for Public Libraries Public Library of the Year Award. The entries, shortlisted and winning designs provide case studies in excellent library design for the 21st Century. 

The awards are organised by the Australian Library and Information Association in partnership with the Australian Public Library Alliance and Council of Australian University Librarians. The organising committee includes senior library leaders from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, acting on behalf of colleagues nationally. More than 30 libraries were entered for the inaugural Australian Library Design Awards 2017. Public, school, academic and special libraries all featured in the entries, and there was a special award for the library voted for by ALIA Members.

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.

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

This conference paper outlines the key findings in relation to the differences and similarities of the French and British cases and their implications for an Australian process of linked data conversion, and suggests a best practice for implementing a linked data bibliographical release.

Abstract: Collection data locked in library catalogues can be released into the semantic web by transforming it into linked data thereby making it discoverable by anyone, anywhere. National bibliographies, comprising millions of bibliographic records and typically built over decades, contain a prime dataset ripe for transformation and exposure on the web. However, releasing a national union catalogue as linked data opens up a range of policy, procedure, organisational, infrastructure, training, financial, ownership and capacity questions that need to be addressed in order to create a sustainable data future for the national collection.

The British and French national libraries released their bibliographies as linked data in 2011, and their experiences provide valuable lessons for libraries considering adopting linked data for national collections. This paper will adopt a comparative approach in identifying the strategic and organisational drivers, enablers, and inhibitors to be considered in transforming a national bibliography into linked data. The study utilised a case analysis framework, with site visits, semi-structured interviews, informal discussions and document analysis employed in identifying and examining the key concepts and challenges involved in converting traditional national bibliographies into linked data platforms.  A comparative analysis of the French and British experiences was undertaken, with specific consideration given to the financial and organisational aspects of the process, in addition to policy and sustainability.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) recognises that library services can be enhanced by well supported volunteers, and providing volunteers with meaningful community roles is a legitimate function of a public library service.

Use of volunteers in library and information services for specific purposes is acceptable but must never compromise the quality of service provision, nor replace paid employment in any way.

Australian Library Design Awards and Conference, 19 June 2017 Melbourne

This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) accompanied the keynote address 'The City of Melbourne experience: libraries as part of city planning' at the Australian Library Design Awards 2017. The presentation provides an insight into the move towards repurposing inner city areas to encourage economic vitality, social cohesion and sustainability.

The Australian Library Design Awards have been created to showcase the best in contemporary library interiors and exteriors in Australia, and to celebrate the investment in libraries made by our nation's institutions, corporations, local, state and territory governments. They have been developed in the context of other competitions internationally, including the American Institute of Architects/American Library Association Library Building Awards and the Danish Agency for Culture Model Programme for Public Libraries Public Library of the Year Award. The entries, shortlisted and winning designs provide case studies in excellent library design for the 21st Century. 

The awards are organised by the Australian Library and Information Association in partnership with the Australian Public Library Alliance and Council of Australian University Librarians. The organising committee includes senior library leaders from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, acting on behalf of colleagues nationally. More than 30 libraries were entered for the inaugural Australian Library Design Awards 2017. Public, school, academic and special libraries all featured in the entries, and there was a special award for the library voted for by ALIA Members.

The fundamental principles according to which the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, is to be governed, as amended to 17 May 2017.

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

[Peer reviewed] This conference paper discusses linked data in academic libraries.

Abstract: Linked data in libraries provides opportunities for increased discoverability and reuse and repurposing of content for new applications. The benefits extend beyond libraries, and is being seen increasingly in the cultural, academic, government, and health sectors. This presentation outlines the steps taken to prepare bibliographic records for linked data, and identifies other opportunities for libraries in developing linked data.

Libraries have many years of experience in creating and managing data. Legacy data is a valuable resource, but does not integrate well with new standards. To be successful in the new environment, metadata must differentiate between content and carrier, and must enable appropriate links to unambiguously identify entities to expose and leverage correct and relevant relationships. The implementation of RDA and the release of Library of Congress RDA authority records with the recent inclusion of URIs in 024 fields are significant and exciting developments.

The University of Sydney Library has approximately 3 million bibliographic records; a large percentage of these are AARC2 and some are AACR1. There are over 1 million Library of Congress authority records, but not all bibliographic records have been through authority control. In order to fill the gaps and to get the data fit for purpose, we decided to kick off by identifying significant and unique categories of resources to put through onsite quality checks followed by authority control and RDA conversion by our offsite vendor. The immediate benefit is more authorised access points and references providing helpful information delivered 24/7 to library clients. More than that, it is preparedness through data cleaning and enhancement to build the backbone of reliable links and better discoverability for the linked data future.

Libraries can play other roles to support linked data. They can promote the take up of persistent identifiers such as ORCID, publish their own institutional data in a linked data format for reuse, and ensure linked data capabilities are considered in the development of new library and institutional systems.

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

[Peer reviewed] This conference paper focuses on how the University of Western Australia (UWA) research repository was repositioned to fulfil a broader role in the University’s strategic research priorities and the forms of collaboration that were undertaken to achieve this.

Abstract: At UWA the Research Repository was initially developed within the Library as a tool for capturing and making available specific collections of UWA research outputs. It functioned as an end to itself as opposed to existing within a broader research life cycle and therefore the relevancy to the research community was limited.  Since the implementation of the repository there has been a growing focus within the national research assessment process on demonstrating the societal benefits and quality of publicly funded research. These developments presented the University Library with new challenges and opportunities to repurpose the Research Repository to support the University in this new environment and reposition it to become a more integrated presence in the research life cycle. Achieving this required identifying and building relationships with key stakeholders involved in research support and a collaborative approach to developing and expanding the role of the repository. 

This paper is a case study of how the UWA Research Repository was transformed from essentially a metadata store to a new system delivering researcher profiles, open access content, grant information, student supervision data and altmetric tools. It also focuses on the forms of collaboration that were involved in achieving this such as staff swaps, knowledge sharing, taking on new roles and non-traditional Library tasks, joint projects, and formal meetings. We analyse the original research repository project documentation and key stakeholder interviews in order to assess how the UWA Research Repository evolved through engagement with other areas in the University.

The collaboration and subsequent expansion of the repository model resulted in the Library and the repository moving beyond their traditional roles of simply providing storage and access to research publications. The resulting UWA Research Repository is relevant and has the buy-in and support of other departments on campus. As a result of this experience, the Library now also provides services and support of recognised strategic importance to the University in areas such as research publication collection and assessment and altmetrics, and is often invited to collaborate on new research support initiatives on campus.

Whilst national developments were the main drivers behind the need to expand the role of the UWA Research Repository, it was really the local collaboration and co-operation that resulted in its success and propelled the Library and repository in new and exciting directions. The UWA Research Repository is now seen as a solution on campus and the Library as a key partner in fulfilling the University’s strategic priorities for research. The UWA experience is an example of how collaboration can ensure a repository not only meets its goals, but exceeds them in unexpected ways. 

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

This conference paper discusses the role of new and emerging technologies in connecting people to library services. 

Abstract: Digital technology plays an increasingly major role in our lives. Greater access to information and the sharing of information is making us more informed citizens, giving us more control over our lives and how we create and develop our communities.  We are witnessing a change in the nature of work, people are living longer and healthier lives, and new kinds of tribalism and internationalism are emerging. In 2017, State Library of Queensland (SLQ) is exploring digital citizenship in all its forms through our Signature Program framework – a schedule of events and exhibitions. In partnership with communities and visitors, we are spending the next twelve months connecting, creating and exploring the changing digital nature of our economy, our political processes and our leisure activities. 

SLQ is committed to designing and delivering programs and services which, not only connect and engage with audiences, but are genuine collaborations with our audiences. In 2014 SLQ adopted an annual Signature Program framework focusing on a ‘theme’ of interest to the Queensland community through a range of activities, experiences and events. The Signature Program team engages with the community and partners to develop and deliver elements that are scalable and transferable for collaboration with regional communities. In 2017 this team will focus on digital citizenship, exploring meaning and experiences at the personal and state level to engage Queenslanders in conversation with experts and each other.

At SLQ we see technology as an enabler not a driver of our services.  We have a role in supporting the community to stay abreast of unprecedented changes resulting from the digitally enabled economy and society.  During our “year of living digitally”, we will engage with audiences to develop capabilities in data visualisation, big data and crowd sourced collaboration. Building on the groundwork laid by the National Year of Digital Inclusion (https://www.godigi.org.au/) and previous innovative SLQ-led projects, such as Tech Savvy Seniors and digital literacy resource kits for public libraries, our events and exhibitions schedule will allow inpiduals to explore their digital world and comprehend what the new Queensland will look like. SLQ’s aim is to co-create new knowledge and partner with others to undertake and facilitate research, and to support community-based research infrastructure. This paper will report on our planned schedule of engagement, document the community participation so far and invite partnerships and engagement from conference delegates.

The “year of living digitally” program explores how technology has given us new tools to question, understand, imagine, and better the world in which we live. The flow of big data and information now generates more economic value than the global goods trade.  Affordable and democratic access to communication technologies has resulted in a burgeoning creativity by perse global voices. SLQ is leading the way in how libraries can explore the global and local benefits of sharing, disruption and convergence cultures with visitors and audiences.

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. 

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.