BTH: Wrapup

This was a great conference (symposium).

I came away buzzing with ideas that I hope one day to get a chance to implement. Given that I attended as an 'unaffiliated' individual I sujspect I'll be setting up trial sites for my own nefarious purposes rather than for work.

The symposium clarified my ideas for where I want to work (CHRLC -they let their staff go to conferences such as this), what I want to do (Emerging Technologies Librarian anyone)

Now I'm not just finding out about 2.0 tools, I'm keen to use them in a library setting.

I know now that I want to be in a place where I can say "Hey why don't we use this application in our library - this is how it works, this is what it could he used for, how do you think we could use it?"

I also think it's important that staff be able to attend conferences, symposiums etc that are relevant to what they are trying to do.

Perhaps some form of cost sharing could be implemented to enable more people who attend (those that want to).

ETA :
Following a comment that was made to me on Friday I'd just like to point out that I attended this symposium on my own dime because I was interested in the topics being discussed and I was going to be in Brisbane anyway. That I choose to spend part of my annual leave at such a conference is my choice and my choice alone.

My attendance at the Beyond the Hype symposium should not be used as part of a tally of conferences, talks, symposiums etc. that I have attended for work.

Does this mean that anything I learned at this symposium should not be used in my job? What would be the point of that?

I would've thought that keenness and enthusiasm should be encouraged, not discouraged.

If I, or anyone else, is interested in something that will benefit the library shouldn't we be encouraged to attend where realistic? (I realise there are cost and staffing implications and that is not possible for everyone to attend everything they want to (I'm not even saying we should be able to attend everything we want))

Stepping off soapbox now.

BTH: Online branch libraries

Kate Davis, Gold Coast City Council Library, “Towards the online branch library: developing online services & collections at Gold Coast City Council Library”

Suite of initiatives for online users

Project scope
* information architecture for online library
* building online collections
* access to online collections
* online reference and readers advisory
* outreach via SNS
* towards opac 2.0
* mediated and disintermediated online reference & readers adv.

ebooks & e-audio (overdrive)

monthly promotional themes (corporate branded promo)

web accessability for small screen devices

Netstream (newsletters)

________________________

I like the idea of treating the online environment as a 'separate library branch' sort of. It gives a focus to the online resources and I think would be a good way of marketing/promoting our online presence as the 'online branch'.

BTH: Libraries Interact

Peta Hopkins, Bond University, “Libraries Interact: a personal view of practical 2.0”

Librariesinteract.info (wordpress blog)

Thali (This helps australian libraries interact)

Google groups

PBWiki (for documentation)

Custome search engine by google (if a not for ptofit then google ads can be turned off)

Use FRAPPR for community map

RSS tools
* technorati
* bloglines
* feedburner

facebook (Libraries interact)

Social media: facilitates long distance communities by providing an alternative for 'face time'.

__________________________

Uses several web 2 tools to create an online presence which would be ideal for any library,

BTH: Emerging Technologies Librarian

Kathryn Greenhill, Murdoch University, “Five social software sites that libraries shouldn’t ignore”

Why social software?
* connecting people with info.

Meebo widget (Ask a Librarian)

Online library
* pictures
* papers
* film clips
* bookmarks

Storage and retrieval via social elements

Social does not mean trivial

Social Operating Systems

Film clips
* Youtube
* Viddler
* Bliptv
* Teachertube
* Godtube

Photos
* Flickr
* Zoomr
* Picasa
* Photobucket
* Snapfish

Bookmarks
* Del.icio.us
* Magnolia
* Citeulike
* Connotea

Networks
* Facebook
* Myspace
* Friendster
* Bebo
* Xanga
* Ning

Tags
* Digg
* Reddit
* Stumbleupon
* Perthnorg


Flickr has a 365 library days project (check it out)

Facebook Flyer - targeted facebook announcements

CHECKLIST
* ensure reasonable public access
* ensure staff know how to search contetn
* check library's web presence
* use social software to talk to other libraries
* it's not about what suits us but about what suits our users

__________________

Emerging Technologies Librarian - this is my current dream job title (I know Kathryn's title is actually Emerging Technologies Specialist)

Lots of useful info in this session - about the software that's out there and what we can do with it in our library.

BTH: Wikis: emerging from the hype phase

Bernie Lewin, Arup, “ Wikis: emerging from the hype phase"

Most wikis fail!

What is a wiki?
* a collaborative web development tool
* all users involved in structure and design

Site management
* article page
* behind that is a discussion page
* history page
* records every edit to the page
* watch pages

Other useful management pages
* most popular pages
* most linked to pages

When to use wikis
* for knowledge sharing
* not for broadcasting

What are wikis good for?
* nurturing knowledge development (not controlling it)
* empowering the user to take control

When to try a wiki
* to serve real need to share body of info.
* there is a genuine interest in sharing it

A healthy collaborative spirit must exist

To make a wiki work
* do the groundwork
* solicit approval from bosses
* recruit well placed activists


Prebuild a basic design with a welcolming main page

Upload critical mass of information

LAUNCH IT

Biggest problem is encouraging folks to contribute.

_____________________

A wiki would be good for rosters, procedures, etc. could be accessed from home. Might give it a try.

BTH: Never mind the students, what about us?

Jennifer Creese, UQ, “Social networking: never mind the students, what about us? Use of social networking software for professional networking & development for library staff”

Purpose of project
* Social networking in the workplace
* Suits modern workstyles/cultures
* Facebook Friday (company in US insists that all staff take a half hour every friday to update their profiles on facebook)

Surveyed staff to see which, if any, SNS they used.
* Facebook
* Myspace
* Multiply
* Friendster

Training Program.
* non compulsory
* flexible
* Facebook as sns of choice
* UQL staff facebook group
* basic level of web 2.0 familiarity required

Concerns
* privacy
* appropriateness for work
* time
* 'tech overload'

Guidelines
*monitor/limit private infor (public as well as private)
* careful outreach on individual level
* limit 'time wasting'
* keep up to date (scrap and run if necessary)

Potential future developments
* eforums
* use by project groups and working parties
* potential outreach to academics, researchers

_____________________

Interesting session which identified some of the concerns our staff had about learning 2.0.

BTH: From classic to 2.0

Mylee Joseph, SLNSW, “From classic to 2.0: equipping State Library of NSW with a new toolkit”

A new strategic framework for SLNSW
More client focussed library
New library service model
* adopt learning 2.0
* tailored to particular business
* toolkit
* transferable skills
* all staff (incl. security guards, shop personnel etc.)


Agenda:
* expose staff to industry leading ideas
* customers to have interest/right in contributing
* build staff skills
* plug skills into core policies
* identify what policies need to be changed
- eg: in current code of conduct all blog posts must be approved by State Lib'n or Asst S-L

Concerns
* Ageing staff
* brain drain
* content staff

Test pilots
* Self assessment survey (web 2.0)
*learning 2.0 -test pilot edition

Summary
* Customise for your library
* Address code of conduct issues
* Talk to HR about training times
* Don't assume competency
* Provide support
* Collaborate on design of ideas
* Model the behaviour that you want to see
* Blog anonymously
* Code of conduct reminders
______________________

You know sometimes you go to a talk and afterwards you think 'I wish so-and-so had been here to hear that talk'?

Well that is so what I wish about this talk.

So much of what Mylee was saying is valid for my workplace (I sometimes unfavourably compare our ideas process with a maze - it ain't easy that's for sure!)

This talk left me thinking about whether I could plan something like this for CoBLS (and what would I do with it if I did.

Pick of the talks so far I think.

BTH: The book is dead long live the book

Dr Sherman Young, Macquarie University, “Beyond 2.0: Songs from the Geek Chorus”

Dr Young has written a book titled The book is dead, long live the book and, in his own words, was at the conference to be controversial.

What is technology?
Does technology drive social change?

The importance of technology
How it is used
How we use it

Mobility means that there is a choice for info.
Unlimited access
Desire to connect

No clear transition point between web 1.0 and web 2.0.

Produsage

Wired 13/05 "We are the web (Kelly)

Digital ethnography (wesch)

Web 2 is about creativity; an edit culture

Diaries point inwards, blogs point outwards

WEB 3.0
'The semantic web'
Information behaviour of the researchers of the future

Web 1.0 Connectivity
Web 2.0 Creativity
Web 3.0 Collectivity

Can Google et al fulful the role?

Portable Apps (Is that a library in your pocket?)

The best way to predict the future is to invent it (Alan Kay)

Pitfalls of web 3.0
Invisible web
Open source

_____________________________

Really interesting speaker I liked what he was saying and was already trying to apply it to my workplace.

BTH: Day 1 wrap

Well what a day.

I started the day by breakfasting at a coffee shop overlooking the Brisbane River, then it was a short ferry ride to the symposium venue at QUT (Gardens Point campus).

I could have walked but hey why not ferry.

The campus has the best location - it is across the road from the Botanic Gardens on one side and overlooks the river on the other.

After registering I took advantage of the free coffee available (also there was a plate of 'carob and nut energy balls') to set us up for the day.

I got chatting to some Qld Health Librarians who were a great bunch and invited me to their special morning tea get together.

At lunch time I put together a plate of delicious sandwiches and fruit* and headed for the gardens with a group from QUT (all different campuses) where we exchanged library ideas and generally solved the problems of all librarians everywhere!

Also met up with the dynamic duo from Central Highlands and we continued to solve the problems of the library world - this time with particular reference to Victorian Public Libraries.

Afternoon tea was spent with Ballarat gang - we formed a consortium to cover 3 of the 6 workshops and exchange notes afterwards.

After the sympsium we went our separate ways - before meeting up for dinner at Southbank.

From the symposium I wandered to the new Brisbane Square Library (I'd arranged a guided tour -see report here) and checked out the Southbank night market before eating a delicious meal in great company.

BTH:Touring Brisbane Square Library

Brisbane Square Library opened in late 2006. It has a superb location at the top of the Queen Street Mall, overlooking the river.

It is a modern, state of the art library over three levels.


From Flickr under a creative commons licence http://www.flickr.com/photos/pichigh/495822227/

The ground floor (well where else would it be) entrance is wide and welcoming, and the clever use of natural light makes it an inviting space.

On the ground floor is the News Lounge with international newspapers, live stock reports and news feed on plasma screens

Automated book sorter viewing windows

Library holds and check outs

Service counter for fast Council transactions

Community meeting room

Automated book sorter


"A section of the automated book sorter at Brisbane Central Library. A conveyor belt transfers items from the return area on the floor above. Items are measured, checked in, sorted by Dewey number and placed onto book trolleys. Bigger books are put on the top shelf of a trolley, or left for human intervention."
Fascinating to watch. (from Flickr under creative commons licence.Taken by Petaj http://www.flickr.com/photos/54511827@N00/466655118/)

The book sorter cost $2million (I think thats what he said but I'm not sure).

Up the escalator to the 1st floor where we find

The Children’s Lounge

A range of meeting and study rooms

The Learning Lounge, ideal for groups and self paced online learning.

The City Zoo containing Xbox consoles and plasma screens for sports broadcasts and documentaries and an Internet area equipped with 38 multi-functional computers.

The Central Business Centre for longer customer transactions including licensing, permits and mapping

The Development Lounge, a meeting space for planners to meet with property developers

Up another escalator to the 2nd floor

(from Flickr under creative commons licence.Taken by Petaj http://www.flickr.com/photos/54511827@N00/466655118/)

The Literature Lounge is the quiet space to read and will also host author events.

The Brisbane History Gallery highlights Brisbane’s past.

The majority of the library collection.

The shelf ends are lit from within and the shelves are not too high and are well spaced.

The collection has 110,000 volumes (I think - my notes are a bit dodgy)

It is a really well done purpose built library (I think the architect won an award for the design) and well worth a visit if you find yourself in Brisbane.

BTH: Workshop 3

Workshop 3: Podcasting, Flickr, Youtube, Slideshare

I opted for this workshop as I really wanted to frolic with podcasts & youtube.

Unfortunately we started with flickr & slideshare - both of which I use a fair bit and feel confident in using.

This meant we didn't have time to pod & tube (bummer)

On the plus side I did learn about a flickr addon to search for photos by cc licence type.

And they did give us a kicka** manual which I will work my way through someday

BTH: EBLIP

EBLIP, library 2.0 and Australian health librarians: revealing the evidence

This was aimed pretty much at Health Librarians so apart from the general eblip stuff my mind wandered somewhat!

Evidence Based Librarianship
*five principles behind it:
1. Ask (question)
2. Acquire (evidence)
3. Appraise (evidence)
4. Apply (evidence)
5. Assess (impact & performance) and report findings

Continually gather evidence along the way (but don’t necessarily implement it).

BTH: “Super dooper!: CI library goes YouTubing

Luisa Rossitto, QUT “Super dooper!: CI library goes YouTubing”

Created a departmental library video for students on youtube.

Aim
* create friendly online presence
* available when library is not
* promote spaces and resources

Project
1. Plan - audience & purpose
2. Take photos
3. Add text
4. Effects
5. Sound
6. Refine
7. Youtube
8. Promote it

Infotubeys (sp?) awards on youtube for library clips...

This would be so easy to do - wonder if I'd be allowed to? Might just do it anyway, could ning it.

Luisa has the best job title "Creative Information Librarian" I want that title - I reckon I can be really creative with information...

BTH: Libguides

Libguides: a portal to the next dimension of library instruction

Libguides is a commercial application which you can use to develop library guides for patrons.

* subject related
* learning objects'
* flash movies
* blogs to support specific courses
*meebo widgets (eg chat 9-5)

http://www.springshare.com/

Prob more academic library than public library

libguides.depauw.edu

libguides.uta.edu

libguides.bc.edu

BTH: Hype replacement

Brad Jones, Southbank Institute of Technology, “Hype replacement: a prognosis for Web 2.0

Many libraries are stuck in web1.

I.T. Departments routinely block access to web2 sites (how many librarians can access Facebook, Myspace etc. from their desk?

Open web - this is cutting edge, this is where libraries need to be.
* Access to these technologies is often done at home
* Work IT environments often restrict access to sites filtered as 'not business' or 'categorized as games and gaming'.
* Business to business workspace
* Business to consumer

Think of your users
* They may have similar restrictions
* Can't access all the services you are providing
* Think alternatives for access



Evidence based librarianship

We know the enemy and the issues.

BTH: Skinny leg jeans don’t look good on everyone

Kate Watson, University of the Sunshine Coast, “Library 2.tryhard – skinny leg jeans don’t look good on everyone”

This was an extremely interesting session. The speaker was a young librarian who I would have thought would have been embracing 2.0 technologies with vim and vigour yet she was basically speaking about not implementing them.

Are services being driven by demand? Or it is just hype?

Are we just following trends? (ie: wearing skinny leg jeans)

Shouldn't we be monitoring trends rather than just implementing trends?

Add the application when it is deemed necessary and becomes a required service. (What % need to want the application to warrant its adoption?)

Just because the technology is there it doesn't mean the clients want you using it. (Web 2.0 in your space or in their space?)

USC also surveyed students and the students didn't mention wanting the library to be on myspace, facebook etc.

This talk was very interesting to me as the staff at C0BLS seem to basically be divided into two camps. Those that are embracing web 2.0 and those that aren't.

The PTB seem also to be divided between the two camps which makes it difficult to discuss and/or suggest ways to use these technologies. (depending on where you work & who you report to it can be just as tough to be an 'embracer' as it can to be a 'non-embracer')

This talk was about being cautious when it comes to being 'early adopters' of new technologies (which is true certainly), However 2o years ago how many library users would have suggested that the library should provide internet access (for example).

BTH: Why search again and again

Encore and next generation searching@ UQ.
Keith Webster - University of Queensland.

Physical space = learning space

They use some 'librarything' type product (free) from Amazon. This means that when a student searches their catalogue the record contains a link to Amazon to buy the book.

They also use “Encore” a search engine with the library catalogue, databases, news items, tags, student tags, reviews, ratings (student interaction) etc. This allows students to get to the licensed products which Google doesn’t allow.

In Semesters 1 & 2 , 2007 they surveyed students and found that Myspace was way more popular than Facebook, and that there was little interst in Secondlife. (interesting)

The survey also asked where the students go for information

1. Teacher/Tutor
2. Google
3. Friends, Librarians, Wikipedia

72% of students use search engines first,
2% use library website

UQ are now using a simple search box (similar to google) that searches both the library catalogue and the external databases in the same search.

Results of the search are displayed with tag clouds (the tags are from LCSH but displayed in tag cloud form)

IMHO: they are realising that the new gen of students are comfortable with a search engine type front end (did you mean -alternative) rather than a traditional opac front end (with its precise requirements - spelling etc.)

BTH: This is not a profession you can retire into

Beyond The Hype - Christine Mackenzie -YPRL

Christine is the Library Manager @ Yarra Plenty.

She started by giving us some stats about YPRL (which I tried to write down so that I could compare them with CoBLS but looking at them now they don't make a lot of sense.)

She discussed Library Web 2.0 Activities in terms of:

* finding information
* enabling learning
* creating content
* celebrating culture

And that the library can become the “third place” – a place where you are not at home, and not at work. (content, comfort, community)

Think library as community loungeroom; user centered with multimedia exposure and experience, socially rich and a place that communicates innovation. (space with content)

Basically enhancing the patron experience.

So we must:
* learn to learn
* adapt to change
* scan the horizon (look to the future)

Outcomes:

* informed
* connected
* inclusive
* communities

She spoke about learning 2.0 and YPRL - the Victorian statewide program and how YPRL are now rolling out the 23 things to their stakeholders (board members, councils etc.)

Christine also spoke about the 'roadshow' that she and a couple of other senior(?) staff put together for the rest of the YPRL staff.

The roadshow demonstrated the sort of technology that 2.0 involves

* downloadable audio
* digital camera
* adaptive technologies
* digital stories (or did I mean storage)
* Google things

She mentioned the L2 unconference (would have loved to have gone to that)

Also the YPRL blogs, wikis, library thing tags in their catalogue, and so on.

Wikinorthia (a LH wiki in conjunction with Darebin & Moreland, iirc) which aims to collect the LH stories of the municipalities. (Can't wait for it to go live so's I can contribute my kindergarten story)

I liked her description of the LH online presence. "Local History with an E" - (there's no copyright on titles , wonder if we can 'adopt' the phrase?)

She spoke about adding value to the opac (eg Librarything)

Training for the public:
* wikinorthia
* blogging
* librarything

Using a blog for staff communication instead of email

It was interesting to hear her speak - I don't necessarily agree with everything she said but it was interesting to hear her ideas and what she felt the future of Public Libraries might be.

be great to be in a position to have ideas and be able to implement them (or discuss their possible implementation)

She was an interesting and inspiring speaker - I could work for her...

"I like boring things" Andy Warhol @ GoMA

(He's not boring, It's my favourite Warhol quote...)

Spent rather a lot of today at the Warhol exhibition @ GoMA (Gallery of Modern Art). $20 entry fee to the Warhol but it was worth every cent.

The first part of the exhibition was from the 1950s & 1960s. There were some eg's of Warhol's time as a commercial artist and some stuff that 'hinted' at the stylist he was to become.

The beginnings of his Pop Art came next. There were his money prints, boxes, and of course the Campbell Soup Cans.

Warhol’s portraits (my favourites were the screen prints) and images of popular icons of the time are on display, showing his distinct style of vividly coloured backgrounds, and screen printed images in a range of colours.

Many of the commissioned portraits came from sessions in New York photo booths with his subjects taken in a variety of poses and also just talking or laughing.

Many of the photos used for the portraits in the first room of the exhibition were on show in the second room.

Many of the subjects are as interesting as the portraits themselves, with Warhol choosing images of people and things that were popular at the time – Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger(signed by Mick), Marlon Brando, Mao Zedong, images of the hammer & sickle to name just a few.

In between the two main exhibition rooms there was a loung area (beautiful view across the river to the city) where there were strategically placed lounges and coffe tables with Warhol books that you could browse through.

Thisa broke the exhibition up nicely as alongside the lounge was the a/v area with half a dozen tv screens showing Warhol tv shows, interviews, films etc.

There were also a couple of photo booths so that you could try to recreate the Warhol magic yourself.

Then there was a wall of Warhol's photos and portraits, some of which were just stunning and we had a lot of fun trying to guess the fampous person before checking the legend/key at the end of the secion.

The pictures of Marilyn Monroe,were displayed here and there was also a potentially disturbing series called Death in America which also had silk screens of electric chairs, funerals and car crashes.

There was also an extensive piece showing the news and images of John Kennedy’s assassination, funeral, and Lee Harvey Oswald’s shooting by the police.

Also on display was a montage of covers from Warhol's Interview magazine.

There was a lot to takew in so we got our hands stamped and wandered around Brisbane for a while before going back to GoMA to continue viewing the exhibition (really we went and saw it again - starting at the end so as to see it through fresh eyes.)

Absolutely brilliant.

I now have to read at least one biog of Warhol to fill in the (large) gaps in my knowledge...