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The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the peak representational bodies for the galleries, libraries, archives and museums of Australasia thank the authors for producing this report which provides useful discussion topics and a series of interesting recommendations that merit further investigation. GLAM sector organisations welcome the recommendations relating to cross domain and cross jurisdiction strategies and collaboration. However, further investment is needed in relation to standards and benchmarking tools, and in reforming barriers to discovery and access. We would welcome government support and engagement with our roundtable of peak bodies, and we invite participation in future initiatives relating to this survey and the broader cultural agenda.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February Sydney : at the edge

This conference presentation discusses the redesign of services, service design approach, staff ideas and input, customer ideas and inputs, service principles and making changes to library services.

ALIA Schools Professional Development Seminar, 21 March 2015: Be the change - promoting your school library

This presentation (PowerPoint slides) supports the session from Yarra Plenty Regional Library on their approach to managing change.

National Library and Information Technicians' Symposium 2 - 4 September 2015: Hobart, Tasmania. 

Theme: RIGHT HERE – RIGHT NOW: It’s a Devil of a time in libraries.

Delivering library services in a technology connected world, providing services to a society with a ‘Want it here – Need it now’ expectation.

What are the challenges for the Library Technician in ensuring that their library remains relevant and viable in an age of ever changing technology, expectations and the priorities of their Institutions?

Library Technicians have an opportunity to play key roles in maintaining the relevancy of their institutional library, as well as assisting in its growth and evolution in an ever changing world.

The symposium will provide an opportunity for library technicians from around Australia to meet together in the formal setting of a structured program, to hear prominent members of the profession, as well as their peers, speak and debate contemporary issues relating to the profession, professionalism and library work in general. In addition, there will be many opportunities for networking including the symposium dinner, opening and closing events and daily breaks as well as the opportunity for networking at the ad hoc gatherings that this event supports and encourages.

This summary for the library and information sector, including GST on digital products; public service; arts; communications; education; health; infrastructure and regional development; Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Contents: Membership -- Meetings -- Activities -- Alignment with ALIA Strategic Plan -- Plans for the next year -- Concluding remarks.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

Abstract:

Introduction:

Trove is an embedded part of the Australian information and culture landscapes. Described as indispensable, transformative and revolutionary, Trove has moved from experimental project to ongoing service with a rapidly growing content and user base. Independent and National Library of Australia research is yielding new insights into Trove’s role in generating new knowledge, fostering social inclusion, and in developing communities of interest.

However, our understanding of how Trove fits into the international cultural collections discovery service landscape is less developed. While Trove has undoubtedly led this field, it is by no means alone. In the last six years, comparable national or trans-national services have emerged including Europeana, DigitalNZ, and the Digital Public Library of America.

Methods:

None of these services are exact analogues of Trove, and this paper will draw out the similarities, differences and overlaps across a number of domains: mission; content; service; user engagement; governance; and supporting business models.

Based on the knowledge developed over five years of developing and maintaining Trove, a literature search and interviews with the leaders of Trove’s ‘sibling’ services, this paper will critically examine the service’s different partnership and business models, and consider the ways in which those individual differences reflect divergent policy and social contexts.

Results:

The paper will extend beyond this analysis to ask what social, economic and policy contexts – what community values – influenced the scope, shape and flavor of each of these services. What national and trans-national identities are being invoked or modified through these services?

What government, community or private mandates generated and facilitated their development? What conditions favoured or hindered development or may do so in the future?

Conclusions:

What are the likely future impacts of the business models underlying each service, with their varying levels of public and private funding? What do these similarities and differences mean in terms of shared directions for work across the portals? Will there be further convergence of purpose and approach? Is it possible that global topics of interest, such as climate change and the movement of peoples across the globe will stimulate cross-portal work?

Relevance:

This paper addresses a ‘big discovery issue’, by exploring the ways in which the framing of discovery ‘problems’ and ‘solutions’ is heavily influenced by local social, policy, political, cultural and professional factors. Discovery services are like any other cultural assemblage – inevitably shaped by the environments in which they arise. Understanding these differences is essential as the profession moves beyond national to transnational data sharing relationships.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

Abstract: 

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an original, quantitative approach to examining the use of library electronic resources by demographic (or 'market segment'). In turn it provides an innovative way to demonstrate and explore the value of libraries and importantly, electronic collections.

Methodology

The University of Wollongong's Performance Indicator Unit (PIU), in partnership with the University of Wollongong Library (UWL), has built a data warehouse - the 'Marketing Cube' that links real time usage of electronic resources (eresources) at a title level, to student demographic data.

Findings

The Marketing Cube design provides a robust analytics framework for examining pictures of use of eresources by student demographic. For views explored, the cube reveals rich data for demographical context against number of student logins and engagement with resources in hours. Findings give rise to further questions or hypotheses, requiring further interrogation of the cube or triangulation with other available quantitative data or qualitative inquiry with faculty.

Practical Implications

An ongoing commitment to continuous improvement at a university and library executive level is critical. UWL is fortunate to have secured the support of the enterprise Performance Indicator Unit (PIU), for this second UWL performance measurement project. The Marketing Cube also exploits tested system design created for UWL's 'Value Cube' (Jantti & Cox, 2012). Considerable time has been invested anew to select priority resources and to configure them within the cube. Significant time was also spent on user acceptance testing by both the Library and PIU.

Originality/Value

Existing research and literature has more often achieved to demonstrate the value of library collections on a qualitative basis. In contrast, the Marketing Cube offers a quantitative perspective and is focussed solely on student use of resources - the library's broadest client base. Real time use capture and weekly reporting provides UWL with a granular picture of who is using a resource and when; on demand. This contextual insight has strategic value to acquisition and renewal decisions; but most innovatively, such analytics data can inform marketing strategy and provide a method to pre and post-test impact of promotional activity.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

Abstract:

Engagement at UTS Library is both a strategy and mindset, it informs the way we build community and support learning and research. Over the past five years, we have modified our approach to engagement and library services by fostering a culture of playfulness, experimentation and risk-taking amongst library staff. We propose that the new rules of engagement lie in shifting relationships with clients and stakeholders from an impersonal and hierarchical model to one that embraces collective creativity, playfulness and authentic communication. This paper discusses how we achieve this by making the invisible visible, re-envisioning physical spaces for imagination and play, using an authentic voice, forming strategic collaborative relationships and supporting library staff in taking on new roles. Our examples will explore a number of current initiatives to highlight these themes through the library’s popular Think Play Discuss wall, social media channels and participation in university-wide activities.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

This conference paper discusses the role of the publisher, which has radically changed in recent years, accelerated by the speed of the delivery of content via the internet and the changing user behavior across a wide spectrum of disciplines. This paper will examine the circumstances in which the functions of the publisher of scholarly information have changed and the implications for the publisher of the future. The author will also analyze a number of recent market surveys on the key aspects of the changing landscape of scholarly publishing, including end-user study, higher education textbook market, industry and market trends.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

This conference paper details how SLQ has endeavoured to make registration and account management easier for clients and staff. Our new membership model, launched late January 2015, has challenged us to remove barriers by implementing a user-centric approach. This involved simplifying services offers across the whole library, iteratively designing a seamless and unmediated membership package. The final product makes registration, access and engagement with our systems and services easier, more convenient and personalised for our members.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

Abstract:

Introduction: From 2010 to 2013 the State Library of Western Australian undertook a project to digitise its significant collection of oral histories. One of the key outcomes of this project was to make digitised oral histories available for access online; however copyright concerns were a major barrier to this outcome. Oral history as a medium is unique among the original materials collected by libraries, in that:

• Copyright in oral histories is not clear-cut, and different communities seem to have different understandings of this; and
• Oral histories are often bound by additional limitations, such as access and embargo agreements, informed consent practices, and privacy concerns

The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges of copyright and oral history, and share how SLWA addressed these challenges to make digitised oral histories available online.

Methods: Detailed analysis and desktop research was undertaken, into SLWA’s oral history collection, associated documents and existing agreements as well as relevant legislation, case law, and existing industry/community practices. Drawing on this, innovative approaches to the copyright issues inherent in digitising oral histories were developed, including:

• Policy on risk management, the interpretation of legacy agreements, and the public benefit in making materials available online.
• Oral history-specific protocols on when further permissions are or are not required.
• Protocols for orphan works, and notice and take-down procedures.
• Approaches for navigating the multiple interpretations of copyright in oral histories that exist within the community.

Results: It was found that there is uncertainty around rights in oral history recordings, in both a legal and practical sense, and a variety of approaches and understandings within the industry and community. While a challenge, this was not a barrier to achieving the outcomes of the project. The project’s target for making interviews available online was met in 2013, and additional interviews continue to be released to the public. As a result, the voices and memories of Western Australians dating back to 1875, including artists, intellectuals, business people, immigrants, soldiers, families and ordinary people, whose stories are often lost to history, are now available online for everyone in the world.

Conclusions: The uncertainty around copyright in oral history is inconvenient, but it is not insurmountable. Through an understanding of the history of your collection, planning, and a consistent approach, it is very possible to tackle the copyright barriers to making oral history interviews available. There also seems to be great support for libraries to make oral histories available – nearly every rights-holder contacted for permission gave it without hesitation.

Relevance: Copyright and intellectual property concerns are a major barrier for any mass digitisation or digital collecting project. This is particularly true with oral history, where there is uncertainty around where copyrights exist, who owns them, and what can therefore be done with the oral history. Understanding and overcoming these challenges extends the boundaries of what can be achieved in providing access to content for clients.

The 2015 edition of the ALIA LIS Education Handbook provides details of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) accredited courses run by higher education and VET providers across Australia. These courses provide newcomers with a gateway to their career and experienced professionals with opportunities for advancement. ALIA accreditation means that courses have passed rigorous assessment by senior leaders from the profession and it acts as a quality assurance for students seeking the best educational outcomes.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

Abstract:

Social media statistics are a fluid area. We explore the strategy of measuring social media, with specific case studies. What are the statistics which count? Are all ‘likes’ equal? Data will be from the State Library of NSW Public Library Services use of social media and the NSW Readers’ Advisory Working Group’s Twitter-based reading group.

The State Library has a few public library related social media channels, with a well-defined audience of NSW public libraries. We encourage the use of #nswpubliclibraries. The Twitter reading group focuses on a different theme each month and people tweet about what they are reading, watching or playing using the relevant hashtags (#rwpchat and the hashtag for that month’s theme). Data from both of these streams are captured and evaluated and used in planning.

Efforts to evaluate the effectiveness and the reach of these online conversations are not straightforward. One of the main barriers to measuring a Twitter-based initiative is that the tools, which are readily available to assist with the analysis of a particular set of activities change. The tools adopted for this initiative quantify hashtag use differently. There are variations in the number of Tweets recorded as contributing to a particular discussion. This workshop explores the reliability of such tools (including Archivist, TAGS explorer and Eventifier). The analysis of hashtags is vital to record both current performance, and continued growth, of the reading group. There will also be exploration of the effectiveness of the Twitter reading group’s blog and the posts that support each month’s theme (views, comments and sharing of posts) and the associated Pinterest account which has been established to support the various reading themes (analytics and benefits of collaborative pinning). Some of these tools are being used by Public Library Services, and the different results will be explored.

Although social media has been around for several years, there are still questions about how the data is analysed, as demonstrated in the recent academic work Twitter and society edited by Karen Weller. The different analytics tools present different results and allow the data to be seen and accessed in diverse ways.

The paper will have practitioner focused discussion of social media analytics. The authors will explore some of the possible meanings and look at what indicative conclusions can be drawn. We will be showing how the data from two different kinds of accounts may be interpreted, any influences on planning, and how not all likes and follows are equal. We will discuss the importance of evaluation of social media use, and how we need to be at the edge of thinking and planning to be effective in how we use and evaluation social media within libraries.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

Abstract:

Corporate librarians need to be relevant to the needs of the business in which they operate. In tough times, the corporate library is often the first to go, but how did this geographically disparate team get ahead of the game and become central to plans of the organisation? This paper will explore the journey that this team undertook, to be an integral part of the business, as well as developing their professional skills at the same time.

The paper will explore the methods undertaken to develop a cutting edge regional corporate library team and to develop highly skilled professionals, beyond what their training gave them. This will include providing an overview of the diverse business and the culture of the company. The paper will form a case study and focus on practical examples, including exposure and visibility as a form of marketing, business development research and current awareness, the design and delivery of a comprehensive regional training program, blurring of roles and moving into the corporate knowledge space and engagement with research as a means of innovation. It will also include how activity based working was trialled – to embed the team within the business, as well as having an input into the re-design of the physical space.

Diversification, investment from the leadership and a consultancy approach put the team on the road to success. This paper will look at the future of the information professional and library service in the corporate sector, as well as the new skills and approaches that every corporate librarian should consider to ensure relevancy and ultimately survival.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses the collaborative project between the University of Wollongong Library, Illawarra Museum and Wollongong City Library to digitise and provide access to local studies materials.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

Abstract:

Library staff are engaging with clients, delivering services in social media channels and representing your library brand online. How effectively is your team managing legal and reputation risks, community engagement, strategy, coordination and resourcing risks? This presentation is a guided tour through recognising and managing the online engagement risks they will encounter along the way. Tools featured include: Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons and the lessons learned at State Library of NSW.

Together we will explore the risks and control options available and the strategies in place across the four different focus areas that the State Library uses social media to deliver on organisational objectives:

1. Developing markets (audiences) and promoting Library events, exhibitions, products, collections and services

2. Promoting discovery of library assets (including collections, services, events, exhibitions, online services, physical spaces and staff expertise)

3. Engaging with clients and the community in their preferred channels and online communities (conversation and service delivery)

4. Collecting social media content for the collection (including social meta data and community created content)

The responsibility for creating social media content and engaging with communities and clients through these channels involves a range of different library roles and stakeholders. Navigating digital engagement as an avenue of service delivery is a key skill for library professionals.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge

Abstract:

The International Librarians Network (ILN) began as a way to help librarians develop an international professional network without having to travel overseas. Focusing on openness and relying entirely on freely available technology and volunteer time, the program was designed to reinforce the idea that ideas can cross borders and make us better at what we do. The ILN launched in 2013, free and open to anyone in the profession, and has facilitated connections for over 1500 people in 103 countries.

Unfunded and completely independent, the ILN was established using a suite of freely available technology to create and maintain an online profile. This included Gmail, Google Drive, Google Forms, Dropbox, Wordpress, Twitter, Facebook and AnyMeeting. In the development stage of the program these tools were sufficient, and their ease of use allowed the ILN founders to focus on the content and rapid development of the program, rather than requiring advanced technical skills. Combined with a network of volunteers, the ILN was able to have a positive impact on librarians around the world.

By early 2014, with the rapid growth of the program, the no-cost model that had served the ILN well started to hinder the growth of the program. As additional time was being spent to find and implement work-arounds to technical limitations, the ILN realised that free was no longer enough. The program needed to move beyond the limitation of free web-based tools and an informal business structure, but there was still no budget to do so. Early efforts to identify pathways forward were hampered by financial restrictions, a lack of transparency by service providers, and a confusing abundance of small scale commercial providers of services.

This paper will outline how the ILN used freely available technology to establish and grow, and what was achieved from this base. The paper will then explore the steps the ILN took to identify planning and development strategies for small organisations and projects that need to ‘do more with less’. It will pragmatically explore the limitations of ‘free’ and what to do when free is not enough, and show the role that small-scale strategic planning can play in helping small organisations or projects manage growth in a scalable and sustainable way.

In November 2013, ebooks were, metaphorically speaking, flying out of the door and ALIA made a bold statement that ‘library print and ebook collections will establish a 50:50 equilibrium by 2020 and that this balance will be maintained through to 2040, when the last print-only generation hits 50’. In less than two years, the initial ebook sales boom has settled and the book industry is predicting the ebook phenomenon will plateau at around 20–30% of books sales, with print books remaining the dominant format.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) conducts, commissions and contracts, supports, encourages and promotes research to move library and information services profession and industry forward.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is committed to promoting and encouraging a research culture and research practice amongst library and information professionals in order to improve theory and practice.

ALIA Universities and Research Libraries (URLs) ACT and Australian Government Libraries Information Network (AGLIN) ACT Seminar, 9 September 2015 Canberra: change, challenges and opportunities - recasting your library skills

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 presentation investigates the future skills and competencies required by health librarians.

ALIA HLA professional development day, held 9 July 2015 at Queensland University of Technology. Featuring presentations addressing:

• Smart Searching: Search Filters and Expert Topic Searches.
• PubMed Train the Trainer.
• Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for Health Librarians.
• Research Data Management for Health Services Librarians.

This letter was written on behalf of the 5000 Members of the Australian Library and Information Association in response to your Review of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February Sydney : at the edge

This conference paper discusses using Design Thinking (DT) as an innovative way to approach the issues that arise with varied and changing situations currently facing libraries. DT draws on discourse from a range of disciplines to provide a methodological framework for user-centred problem solving (Dorst, 2011).

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February Sydney : at the edge

This conference paper has three purposes: to give an overview of the Australian digital collections as they stand today; discussion of the marketing of digital collections tied to a pilot study that the authors have undertaken and finally, to discuss assessment and evaluation of what users’ desire in a digital collection. 

The study focuses primarily on developers using open source software, primarily used by institutional repositories. The software is being adopted by a wide range of libraries and cultural institutions, academic, government and cultural.

This report concludes that baby boomer retirees from the LIS sector are creating the job opportunities for graduates and other entrants to the LIS job market. Educators are in a challenging period, but this isn't restricted to the LIS sector. Data shows that more employers are recruiting candidates without LIS qualification to provide frontline services. ALIA's aim is the encourage non-LIS professionals employed in the sector to study for LIS qualifications or at least gain a better understanding of the library environment by joining ALIA’s proficiency recognition program. LIS workers had significantly higher educational qualifications compared with people employed in all occupations in Australia.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015 Sydney: at the edge.

This conference presentation provides an analysis of a case study in which liaison librarians collaborated with science academics to develop innovative digital literacy activities and assessment tasks for undergraduate units related to ‘Judging Reliability and Accuracy of Information’.

The case study reveals that engaging students in meaningful learning activities and assessment tasks creates dynamic and powerful learning experiences for first and second year students. In addition, the leadership that the liaison librarians demonstrate in activities that capitalise on problem based learning, elements of gaming, peer assessment, and new ways of communicating has prompted open conversations and collaborations with academics about further opportunities.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015 Sydney : at the edge.

This conference  paper provides an analysis of a case study in which liaison librarians collaborated with science academics to develop innovative digital literacy activities and assessment tasks for undergraduate units related to ‘Judging Reliability and Accuracy of Information’.

The case study reveals that engaging students in meaningful learning activities and assessment tasks creates dynamic and powerful learning experiences for first and second year students. In addition, the leadership that the liaison librarians demonstrate in activities that capitalise on problem based learning, elements of gaming, peer assessment, and new ways of communicating has prompted open conversations and collaborations with academics about further opportunities.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

Abstract:

Contemporary scholarly environments are subject to shifting technological, governmental, educational and legal drivers. There are new scholarly knowledge streams replacing traditional academic products - both outputs (publishing) and inputs (resources). The concept of a University Press is not new, however library-based electronic publishing is gaining momentum. There is a trend to link existing library skills and systems with institutional imperatives of deepening engagement and impact through curation and promotion of the work of their scholars and researchers. The barriers to entry in the electronic publishing market continue to drop and increasingly, the push for open access scholarship encourages Universities to offer publishing services.

The Griffith University ePress was established in 2009 to publish open access, peer-reviewed journals. In 2014, the ePress published five active titles, all of which have editors affiliated with the University. Resourcing is provided by the Division of Information Services (of which the library is a part). The aim of establishing the ePress was to increase open access to research findings and better serve scholars in research assessment exercises, especially in emerging disciplines. The time has come to gather the evidence: Has the Griffith University ePress met its aims? Can we quantify the value of the ePress? Is it sustainable? The business model relies heavily on being subsidised through existing library budget and staffing and service structures. What are the real economic and resource costs of the service? Are there emerging options and solutions that need to be considered? Can economies of scale be achieved?

A case study of the Griffith University ePress is used to determine contribution to institutional performance in the national research assessment exercise. The case study also establishes the total cost of ownership for the ePress; derives a per-unit cost to analyse the impact of scale; and compares the service cost with alternative library-based services: funding article processing charges and traditional journal subscriptions. While library as publisher would seem a good fit, evidence-based analysis is required to ensure the provision of a digital publishing service which is economically worthwhile, sustainable and adding value.