Search

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation explains how driven by a need to reduce its operating budget, the State Library of New South Wales embarked on a Review Program to capitalise on its investment in technology, and position itself to tackle future needs and challenges – particularly in the digital environment.

Rather than 'tweaking' the current structure, the collection management function [CMF] review provided an opportunity to consider the management of our collections from a life cycle approach and align our branch structure to that cycle. It has considered the skills and knowledge required to undertake key activities, and reimagined that capability into a new structure supported by new governance and revised policies and procedures.

In reality, the CMF has achieved transformational change in how we manage our collections and represents the most significant realignment of staff ever undertaken within the SLNSW. The new structure has 23 roles: no role remains the same. And, this review has been undertaken in the context of an organisation undergoing broad change and implementing new enterprise systems.

This presentation outlines how one major Australian research library has responded to the challenges encountered by the sector. It will explain the review process undertaken to achieve the new structure, the outcomes and the way forward.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation describes the work of the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) which has historically provided an information service, including a traditional library service, to internal and external clients, but shifting environmental factors within the library and broader information provision fields stimulated the service to look beyond its traditional functions to define its place within a new paradigm.

This case study demonstrates the way the Australian Drug Foundation library changed its model of service and redefined itself within a broader information unit, diversified operations and promoting increased collaboration between library staff, internal clients and external stakeholders.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation reviews the role faculty librarians in the Health Sciences Team have played in responding to this new agenda, with participation in workshops, planning consultations with researchers, whilst simultaneously aligning and redeveloping services to meet this emerging need.

The services include research consultations; researcher training (includes literature searching, bibliometrics, social media and more) the new customised search service (provides customised literature searching to support grant proposals and funded projects), and the research impact advisory service.

Another important aspect that has impacted on service provision has been the interdisciplinary nature of the University’s research agenda.  Faculty librarians are required to work across all disciplines in collaboration within Learning and Research Services in the Library and with researchers in the Faculties.  Within each Research Focus Area, there are multiple rounds of funding allocated and the customised search service has been heavily utilized.  This presentation reviews how librarians from the Health Team have become involved in quite complex negotiations with researchers as they scope out the requirements of each request, work within the team to ensure timely delivery of often quite multifaceted search requests.  Evaluation of this response to La Trobe University’s research agenda will be reviewed and results analysed to ensure continuing sustainability and excellence in practice.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation examines an investigation of citation management practices of researchers in the Arts Faculty of a Victorian university using a questionnaire and open-ended interviewing.

Early findings indicate that there is little uniformity of practices or software use but rather a diverse range of personal approaches to managing citations. Reasons for using or not using software and the ways in which software is used are varied. Citation management practices appear to be influenced significantly by the type of work being done and/or the subject area and to be part of larger disciplinary practices and approaches to research. Not all researchers were entirely satisfied with their citation management systems but were reluctant to move from one system to another as it would be time-consuming. Additionally, many researchers were unaware of the full capability of citation management software.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation discusses a pilot program which was run between August 2012 and February 2013 by Open UniversitiesAustralia (OUA) and four public libraries in regional areas of NSW. These libraries were promoted to OUA students (all studying online) as places where they could access high speed internet, modern computers, journal databases, inter-library loans, as well as encouragement and support from library staff.

The feedback from students who attended was so positive that OUA decided to expand the program with the help of interested public libraries, creating the OUA Connect Library Program.  With the support of the State Libraries of NSW and Victoria, and the Queensland Public Libraries Association (QPLA) the program has been promoted within these three states at national forums.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation discusses how the Memorial’s major digitisation, data and web development project ANZAC Connections, launched in December 2013, brings historic documents from the Memorial’s archive to all Australians and has delivered an appropriate platform to integrate and make available a substantial collection of rich data that exists from a variety of sources.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference paper explores the impact of the work by the National and State Libraries of Australasia (NSLA) to establish a Literacy and Learning Group to promote the important role of libraries in both formal and informal education, develop the organisational capability of libraries as learning organisations, and set out best practice for library programs and partnerships.

Since its inception, the Group has undertaken a number of initiatives – including the development of a learning maturity matrix to help assess their institutions’ perceived levels of maturity as learning institutions and as a tool for shared understanding.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation explores the role of grey literature in public policy and practice in Australia based on the results of the Grey Literature Strategies research project, an ARC Linkage project being undertaken by Swinburne University and Victoria University in partnership with the National Library of Australia, the National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA), the Australian Council for Educational Research and the Eidos Institute.

The presentation presents the findings from three online surveys conducted in 2013 of users, producers and collectors of research and information as well as interviews conducted with librarians, researchers and producing organisations. The paper will focus on the data from collecting organisations and other relevant results for the library community and will discuss the way in which libraries are both succeeding and still struggling in their approach to digital content. Topics that will be discussed include: the content users and collecting organisations consider most important; how users find and access content; views on copyright reform; strategies for dealing with deadlinks; selection and evaluation of digital content; contingent valuation and cost benefit analysis of grey literature.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation explores how libraries have always been about literacy and learning but as public libraries are transforming themselves in the digital age they are exploring their role in literacy and learning in new and innovative ways. Libraries are and have always been about content – ideas, information and stories. Traditionally the vehicle for this content has been the book. We are now providing a range of vehicles in which our content is presented and providing services and programs that create societies of literate and lifelong learning individuals through a range of sources and formats. This presentation looks at Libraries ACT and its work in managing content in its broadest context and access to it in new and more flexible ways.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation is an overview of the pilot online learning course in family history Branching Out which was offered in 2013 to 78 members of the public by the State Library of Victoria in conjunction with 16 Victorian public library services.

It will look at reasons for offering, what was covered, how it was conducted, feedback from the public and public libraries involved, what worked and what next. 

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation discusses how technology offers a TAFE library a great opportunity to improve the way students access information and customer service. Over the years, TAFE libraries have embraced technology, however, it’s been incremental and a case of making small noticeable differences to the service. The primary driver is still brick-and-mortar service delivery. It’s the way we have done things for so long. We deliver service in a way that we believe, best offers students immediate gratification and quality delivery. Either the information is on the shelves or our staff will find it and get it to you without delay. So brick-and-mortar is still the primary channel for TAFE libraries.

Nevertheless, we have now reached the precipice of change. We are now in a technology charged world that is accelerating at a rapid pace, opening the doors for TAFE libraries to dramatically change the way we deliver library products and services. The coming years will see TAFE libraries push quicker towards an omni-channel strategy - a mash up of physical and digital service experience for stud

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference paper reflects on the origins of national collaboration in Australia, considers the multifarious flow of data in and out of the Australian National Bibliographic Database and the impact that this high volume of data traffic has on national and international collaboration, and national collection building.

Mapping the movement of our data from its origins in local libraries in each state and territory through to the National Bibliographic Database, to Trove and beyond, demonstrates the value of national collaborative services in creating information capital. Active contribution to the Australian National Bibliography enables libraries to demonstrate their value in a competitive information environment, measure their impact, and expose their collections to a global audience.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This presentation looks at the extraordinary collections of National, State and Territory libraries across Australia and New Zealand which are being made available in unprecedented ways to commemorate the First World War. The broad appeal, accessibility and sheer volume of this material has resulted in a level of community engagement unimaginable ten years ago. The commemorations have presented an ideal opportunity for libraries to invest or experiment in new platforms to display collection content, gather community contributions, and extend their reach. Rather than presenting a showcase of WWI initiatives, this paper uses WWI programs as a lens through which to examine the shifting focus and priorities of NSLA libraries.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation discusses how the National Library of Australia and its participant agencies built the largest collection of online Australian election material to date in 2013. The election was notable in a number of ways, the new platforms being used to disseminate a political message, the amount of material that was produced and how much of this we could and could not collect.

Candidates and political parties have also embraced the online world and used it increasingly used as a means of spreading their campaign message. This election Pandora collected more than it has in any previous election, but content was missed. This was for a variety of reasons, lack of permissions, technical limitations and constrained resources. But what was collected will form the basis upon which future researchers can look back at what drove the election campaign online.

There were ten themes that emerged, specific to libraries in Australia’s 39 universities. 1. Switched to digital. 2. Libraries, MOOCs and online learning. 3. Operating in the global market. 4. The best online experience. 5. Maintaining visibility in an online environment. 6. Subject matter experts. 7. Making space. 8. Patron driven acquisition. 9. Supporting research. 10. Libraries as publishers.

There were five themes that emerged specific to collecting institutions - National, State and Territory libraries. 1. National treasures direct to your device. 2. Linked data enriches the experience. 3. The need for new legislation. 4. Managing volume. 5. Cultural participation.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference paper discusses how technology offers a TAFE library a great opportunity to improve the way students access information and customer service. Over the years, TAFE libraries have embraced technology, however, it’s been incremental and a case of making small noticeable differences to the service. The primary driver is still brick-and-mortar service delivery. It’s the way we have done things for so long. We deliver service in a way that we believe, best offers students immediate gratification and quality delivery. Either the information is on the shelves or our staff will find it and get it to you without delay. So brick-and-mortar is still the primary channel for TAFE libraries.

Nevertheless, we have now reached the precipice of change. We are now in a technology charged world that is accelerating at a rapid pace, opening the doors for TAFE libraries to dramatically change the way we deliver library products and services. The coming years will see TAFE libraries push quicker towards an omni-channel strategy - a mash up of physical and digital service experience for students.

ALIA responded to the Inquiry into the role of Technical and Further Education system and its operation, with the aim of: (1) encouraging acknowledgement of the important role of Australian TAFE libraries in supporting VET students, and (2) explaining the importance of a VET entry point for library and information professionals.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation discusses the cross institutional mentoring program implemented and completed by Monash University Library with six other Victorian academic libraries, CAVAL and State Library of Victoria facilitated by Linda Betts and Associates.

The cross institutional program was completed in November 2013 and a report on the outcomes and benefits of the program to the 2014 ALIA Conference will be important step in continuing to broaden the program, encourage further participation in the program, and to encourage others to set up a staff mentoring program.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference paper discusses a pilot program which was run between August 2012 and February 2013, by Open UniversitiesAustralia (OUA) and four public libraries in regional areas of NSW. These libraries were promoted to OUA students (all studying online) as places where they could access high speed internet, modern computers, journal databases, inter-library loans, as well as encouragement and support from library staff.

The feedback from students who attended was so positive that OUA decided to expand the program with the help of interested public libraries, creating the OUA Connect Library Program. With the support of the State Libraries of NSW and Victoria, and the Queensland Public Libraries Association (QPLA) the program has been promoted within these three states at national forums.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation reports on an evaluation study of spaces in the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSHL), Biological Sciences (BSL) and Walter Harrison Law (WHLL) Libraries of the University of Queensland (UQ). The study was part of an evaluation of the quality and patterns of use of spaces in UQ libraries, which aimed to propose recommendations for future improvements and decision-making.

This presentation is a study of areas of weakness in existing SSHL spaces, and impacts of the refurbishment of spaces at BSL and WHLL on students’ experiences. The findings evidence a link between students’ learning experiences and the quality of library spaces.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference paper reports on an evaluation study of spaces in the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSHL), Biological Sciences (BSL) and Walter Harrison Law (WHLL) Libraries of the University of Queensland (UQ). The study was part of an evaluation of the quality and patterns of use of spaces in UQ libraries, which aimed to propose recommendations for future improvements and decision-making.

This paper presents a study of areas of weakness in existing SSHL spaces, and impacts of the refurbishment of spaces at BSL and WHLL on students’ experiences. The findings evidence a link between students’ learning experiences and the quality of library spaces.

There were five themes that emerged, specific to TAFE and RTO (registered training organisation) libraries. 1. Disruption. 2. A VET future. 3. Level playing field. 4. Professional support. 5. Our vision.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation reveals how, through working with the mechanisms and tools outlined, in addition to learning from achievements and failures in the examples provided, can contribute to: capacity building, knowledge transfer and succession planning.

This presentation also highlights the importance of negotiations around assigning / sharing / taking credit, adapting to change throughout a project and working with different levels of availability, capacity and commitment of other group members. These skills will really reflect Public Libraries Supporting Communities, as collaborations become more effective.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference paper discusses how Monash University Library with six other Victorian academic libraries, CAVAL and State Library of Victoria have implemented and completed a cross institutional mentoring program, facilitated by Linda Betts and Associates.

The cross institutional program was completed in November 2013 and a report on the outcomes and benefits of the program to the 2014 ALIA Conference will be important step in continuing to broaden the program, encourage further participation in the program, and to encourage others to set up a staff mentoring program. 

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference paper reveals how, through working with the mechanisms and tools outlined, in addition to learning from achievements and failures in the examples provided, can contribute to: capacity building, knowledge transfer and succession planning.

This paper also highlights the importance of negotiations around assigning / sharing / taking credit, adapting to change throughout a project and working with different levels of availability, capacity and commitment of other group members. These skills will really reflect Public Libraries Supporting Communities, as collaborations become more effective.

The Australian Library and Information Association's submission in response to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) Higher Education Standards Panel call for comment.

Australian Library and Information Association is responding to the Early Childhood Learning element of the Productivity Commission Issues Paper, with the aim of: securing explicit acknowledgement of the role of Australian public libraries in early childhood development in the final report to Government (31 October 2014), and encouraging discussion to identify further opportunities for the national network of 1500 public libraries to be used by federal, state and local government to support early childhood learning provision.

ALIA National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

This conference presentation discusses how the State Library of Queensland developed a collaborative framework for Literacy in 2011. Libraries for Literacy: every day every way is a framework with four goals;advocate for greater understanding of the importance of reading to children, elevate the role of State Library and public libraries in providing literacy support, raise awareness of the State Library and public library value and capacity to address literacy issues, and build collaborative relationships across many sectors to extend the reach of literacy initiatives in communities.

The State Library is currently reviewing the framework with a cross industry stakeholder committee in place, a cross industry workshop held and a literacy forum presented to create further conversation and debate.

National 2014 Conference, 15-19 September 2014 Melbourne : together we are stronger

ALIA National Conference provides the platform as a meeting point for all Library and Information professionals, from all sectors and all areas of Australia and the international community.