Kindling the flames of knowledge

In the January/February 2007 issue of Online Currents (recommended journal), an author discussing eBook devices, made some disparaging remarks about Amazon's projected device - the Kindle.

As of February 13, 2008, not only has it been released - they have run out of stocks, so quickly are they selling in the USA.

You can find out about Kindles, and ponder the implications for libraries, by visiting
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Wireless-Reading-Device/dp/B000FI73MA

The Kindle is an example of what the supposed revolution of Web 2.0 will be bringing us more of. I must admit I was becoming frustrated with the slow uptake of eBook devices (and not just because I want to save trees, although that would be nice too), but the apparent popularity of the Kindle took me by surprise. The phenomenon is no doubt building on the vast customer base of Amazon. Other companies will follow suit. The trickle becomes a stream becomes a flood? And what about libraries? Will we be able to create and sell products through Amazon to clients using Kindles? And what about Google and their massive digitalisation project? Project Gutenberg? One hopes we will have some useful convergence rather than an out and out war for market share.

Quo vadis libraries?

George Eraclides

Carrot Clustering Engine

There's a new search engine which you may like to look at. The results are given in "thematic categories." This means that the results are presented under various headings, e.g. for a search using the term 'library,' the categories are public library, research library etc. It also produces a list of the sources and types of sites from each search. A facility for searching PubMed is also available. Only a small number of results appear - not necessarily a bad or permanent feature. The URL for the search is: http://demo.carrot2.org/demo-stable/main

Cataloguing iTunes

This discussion arose from emails sent after the last IS meeting. The issue was minuted by Jill, as per the last Blog posting.
Background:
Fran has investigated a corporate subscription to iTunes to provide tracks to music undergraduates, to augment the library's CD collection. Suitable tracks have already been identified by Music staff.
The upshot was that the iTunes store only deals with individuals so students would need their own accounts. However BHI could possibly provide URLs (deep links) to each track in question.
Fran's comment:
The issue is about cataloguing individual iTune tracks that have been identified as subject resources. The location would be an electronic resource and a deep URL would be embedded in the catalogue record like what we do for other electronic resources. Jonathon Dimond has identified 15 tracks already and will continue to identify more. About 110 students will be accessing in the first instance, if they go through the OPAC.
I invite discussion!
Ross's comment:
This would be an easy thing to do and would be a very convenient way for Jonathan's students to access the iTunes tracks that they need.
We would need to create a cataloguing procedure (like the Online Reserve one) to ensure that all the records were of the same format. The 650 field would have information advising the student that in order to access the track they would need to have iTunes installed on their computer and they will also need to create an iTunes account.
(if a student clicks on an iTunes link and they don't have iTunes installed, they will be taken to the iTunes download page automatically)

Also, if you wanted to, we could treat these records as Online Reserve items and pull them on and off as required by Jonathan. They would appear as separate catalogue items but would also appear under Jonathan as an instructor in the reserve desk part of the OPAC. This may be the easiest way of managing these records as the ongoing tracking of Online Reserve records is already setup and running.
Rosie's comment:
This is interesting ‘stuff’ and may have implications for the delivery of resources in other areas.
Other comments???

Information Services meeting minutes, 13 December 2007

Location: Nelson Quiet Room

Present: Kate (Chair) Apologies: Desia
Rosie (initially) Anne
Rita
Frances
Jeffrey
Ross
Jill (minutes)
_____________________________________________________________________

1.0 Business arising from previous minutes

1.1 G. Drive
All documents should include the library logo, author’s name and date. These should be updated whenever changes are made.

1.2 SKILL
Frances presented her work on Lifelong Information Literacy at the Interns Showcase in the Igloo at Nelson on the 10th of December. Her work, which is still being developed, can be seen online at: www.bhtafe.edu.au/interns

1.3 Library blog
Frances now has administration rights, and all IS staff except Jeffrey are members.
Actions:
Frances to send an email to all IS staff reminding them how to access the blog.
Kate to investigate adding IS meeting minutes to the blog

1.4 Weeding of G drive
The G drive needs reorganisation and weeding. Where the value of documents is not clear, these will be placed in a temporary folder for review prior to deletion.
Actions:
Initial weeding and moving items to the temporary folder: Kate & Jeffrey
Review of temporary folder: All IS staff


2.0 OH&S

2.1 Visibility on the Nelson steps from the library
Fitting edges to the steps from the library would improve visibility & thus safety
Action: Kate

2.2 Automatic doors for the Nelson library
Nelson is the only library without automatic doors. These are requested to improve access.
Action: Kate
3.0 Databases

3.1 Evaluation of usage and value of our current databases
Anne has sent through a proforma for comparing databases
Action: Kate and Desia to review this, and continue to work on evaluating the value of our databases.

Anne and Frances have been reviewing exactly what our Emerald Extra subscription provides. They are concerned that only selected journals or sometimes even selected articles are full text. They are discussing with Joy the possibility of customising the subscription to suit our needs.


3.2 Databases page on library website
The databases page on the library website needs to be reviewed and modified. Decisions on the best approach are to await the arrival of Jim

3.3 Catalogue entries for electronic resources
Frances has been investigating providing catalogue records for specific electronic resources by subject area. She aims to implement changes by the start of the 2008 academic year.
Action: Frances to email Rosie with details of what she is doing.


4.0 Online DVD’s

4.1 Bullseye
Jeffrey mentioned that Kangan Batman Tafe had identified the following issues when they were investigating the Bullseye DVDs:
· Inability to trap usage statistics
· Any titles published throughout the year did not become available until the next subscription period

4.2 VOCAM

Vocam did a brief presentation for IS staff at the start of the meeting; this proved to be assessment focused, and thus more relevant to teaching staff than the library. They did have other options that related more specifically to the training side that still may be of interest, and will email IS staff with details of how to view some of their material on line.
Action: Rosie to pass on information to the relevant teaching staff in the OH&S area


4.3 Other

Anne has completed a report on online DVD’s..
Action: Anne to forward this to all IS staff for review prior to the next meeting

Further discussion about online DVDs was held over until Anne can be present


5.0 Subject Headings


5.1 Serial solutions subject headings
Ross advised that the serial solutions subject heading that appear in the catalogue are fixed and cannot be changed

5.2 Catalogue subject headings
The catalogue uses LCSH, which can lead to difficulties with things such as spelling (color vs. colour). Cataloguing has advised that we need to maintain LCSH to be compatible with Libraries Australia. There is an Australianised version of LCSH used by Monash and CSIRO that may meet our needs better. It may also be possible to customise the system to provide both LSCH and terminology that is more relevant to our users. Information literacy training or guidelines on the library website may also help. Inconsistencies in cataloguing approaches over time have also caused problems. Further investigations are needed to determine the best approach.


6.0 2008 – Standardised Procedures

Held over until next meeting.


7.0 Other business

7.1 Thanks
Fran proposed a vote of thanks to Rosie and Kathy for their leadership and support throughout the year, which was warmly agreed with.
Jill thanked everyone for their support and help while she was here.
Jeffrey thanked Jill for her help over his first few days.

7.2 Electronic records

Records added to the OPAC as part of the move to serial solutions appear first in the results when doing a quick search in the OPAC. This is because the most recent records are shown first. This can make it harder to search, for example for a specific book. Although electronic records can be excluded from results, it may not be immediately obvious to students how to do this. Showing students how to do this in library training sessions may be the best solution.

Mahalo Search Engine

Hi Folks,
I came across a new search engine (Mahalo - Hawaiian for 'thank you').
This is what they say about themselves:
'Mahalo is the world's first human-powered search engine powered by an
enthusiastic and energetic group of Guides. Our Guides spend their
days searching, filtering out spam, and hand-writing the best search
results possible.'
http://www.mahalo.com/Main_Page

They also have a search link to Google as a default when their own directory search gives a zero or low result - I think some kind of partnership with Google. I tried 'adult learning styles' and got a zero, but links to Google instead.

The look and language is 'youth oriented' and content is strong in areas where young people would tend to look (e.g. Music).
It's in development, and may be worth a look at now and then.

Copyright article from ALIA TAFE email list

There is a new article by Amanda Credaro entitled "The Global Copyright Shell Game: collecting royalities is hard when you don't know who's selling your content", in the journal "The Editorial Eye" v.30 n.1, January 2007, p.1-5 (ISSN 0193-7383). The article begins "Trusting writers of the world, prepare yourselves for a nasty shock..." and gives an insight into the issues, the oversights in legislation and practice, and the holes in copyright protection and payment around the world.
The author has placed a copy of the article on her website at http://www.warriorlibrarian.com/LIBRARY/shell_game.pdf

Articles on collaborations and Information architecture from Free Pint

"Convergence Counselling: Integration of IT Departments and Libraries" By Allan Foster
IT departments and LIS departments are increasingly becoming the same thing. Integrating the two services have drawbacks and benefits; Allan Foster examines.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Several universities also have converged because of the actual or imagined weaknesses in the management of the individual services.'

"2001 to 2006: Five Years of Information Architecture" By Karen Loasby
Looks back at the last five years in information architecture: it still may be an unfamiliar term to some, but it's now a bustling field.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'In 2001, most IA literature considered 'search' and 'browse' to be entirely separate concepts and that to 'browse' was inevitably through a hierarchical structure.'
both via http://www.freepint.com/issues/211206.htm

Plagarism & Research: the defence of Ian McEwan

An interesting article from the New York Times about the allegation that Ian McEwan plagarised rather than used a historical source for his latest book.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/07/books/07pync.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin