Highlighting the potential of web 2.0

Dr Robert Pymm speaking at the National Library of Australia Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

Dr Robert Pymm and Jake Wallis recently organised, chaired and presented (phew - long day!) at a professional development seminar at the National Library of Australia on the potential of web 2.0 for information services. With the registration having filled within about 20 minutes of the rego form going online, this was a popular event!

Given the demand for the event from across Australia, we arranged for the audio to be recorded on the day so that it could be podcast after the event. So, for all of you who couldn't make it, the presentations, including audio, are available at http://www.nla.gov.au/initiatives/meetings/web2prog.html Enjoy!

Damian and Bob @ ALIA Lib Techs 2007

Damian and Bob @ ALIA Lib Techs 2007 Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

Damian Lodge and Bob Pymm (pictured here looking a little nervous before giving their paper) attended the ALIA Library and Information Technician's Conference held in Melbourne in October. The Conference attracted around 400 people and was a mix of good, interesting and often practical papers; some great visits and a hectic social whirl. Photos from the Conference dinner, held at the Melbourne Aquarium have had to be held back due to their potential for embarassment!

Anne Lloyd, also from the School of Information Studies at CSU, also attended and gave the keynote address on the last day and, considering it was the Friday morning after the dinner, did a great job at keeping people awake with her story of welders in the TAFE library and her subsequent 'research' with firemen!

'The Librarians' airs on ABC

Last night ABC's new comedy series 'The Librarians' aired with its first episode. Funny(ish) seems to be the consensus. Needs time to gain momentum. There were some good moments mixed in with 'The Office' style awkwardness.

Of primary importance to most librarians I know was how the profession would be portrayed. Would it be the cardigan-wearing shushers or the buns and spectacles behind the desk stamping books? I'm relieved to say that there were no cardies to be seen.

The creators have done their best to reassure us that the only cardies to appear in the series will be trendy ones.....

Lyn Hay wins ALSA Citation Award for 2007

The School of Information Studies' Lyn Hay has won the Australian School Library Association Citation award for 2007.

The Australian School Library Association presents this award "for outstanding leadership in promoting and developing teacher librarianship in one or more of the following fields: policy formation, program implementation, publications, administration of the association, research, innovation and education. The award was presented to Lyn at the awards ceremony held during the very recent ASLA 2007 conference in Adelaide. Lyn has given outstanding service and leadership to school libraries in Australia and receives this award for the areas of education, publications, research and innovation. Her vision has had ongoing positive consequences for the profession of teacher librarianship across Australia" (Karen Bonanno, ASLA Executive Officer, OZTL_NET message).

You can read the citation and Lyn's acceptance speech on the ASLA website.

Photo credit: Australian School Library Association at http://www.asla.org.au/advocacy/citation/citation2007.htm

Study group visit to Melbourne Museum Discovery Centre

James Herring recently took one of our study visit groups to the fascinating Melbourne Museum Discovery Centre. James reports below......

The visit was excellent with the centre manager (a librarian by any other name) introducing the work of the centre as a focus for education but also as a gateway to the museum for inquiries and identifications. This means that people send in photos of beasties for the museum to identify. In some cases, people send specimens and sometimes, the specimens e.g. spiders, are still alive.

Students were then split into groups and each group was given an artefact e.g. a sheep’s skull or a shell and they had to go and use the centre’s displays, collection (i.e. drawers of fossils, bones etc), book collection and catalogue on the centre’s website, to identify the artefact - a real live information retrieval exercise, enjoyed by all.

There was also a chameleon in a glass case which was fascinating to watch – see James' blog for a link to a photo of the chameleon in the centre.

If you’re in Melbourne, it’s a fascinating – and free – place to visit.

Perth workshops for Teacher Librarians

James Herring Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

James Herring recently led 2 workshops for teacher librarians in Perth at the invitation of the AISWA Libraries group. The workshops were focused on:

• the role of the teacher librarian


• the implications for TLs of the new WACE courses being introduced at year 11/12 in WA schools
  
• Advanced searching in Google and other search tools and a look at visual search engines such as Kartoo


• Web 2.0 and schools

As a follow up to the last session, James constructed a wiki for the participants.

James found Perth to be a very attractive, clean and very green city – not only the beautiful parks surrounding the river but the running/walking and cycling tracks which have been constructed all over the city and out to the beaches – all off the road.

Deep Thought

The School of Information Studies has a new photocopier/scanner/spaceship (ably piloted here by our Administration Officer, Lyndal).

It's amazing, it can do everything; photocopy, scan, update the blog (almost).

Hong Kong Library Education and Career Forum 2007

Dr John Mills in Hong Kong Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

At the recent Hong Kong Library Education and Career Forum the partnership between the School of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University and the School of Professional and Continuing Education at Hong Kong University was represented by Dr John Mills.

The partnership is long running and successful, with many library and information professionals in Hong Kong attracted to this accredited course, recognised in Australia, Canada, the USA and UK.

ALIA InfoLit Forum turns 6 with a competition

ALIA Information Literacy Forum is turning 6!

The ALIA Information Literacy Forum is celebrating is 6th birthday! The forum was established in 2001 as one of the many new ALIA groups. In the last six years the forum has been involved in a number of exciting initiatives including the launch of the Advocacy Kit in 2003 and the IL satellite workshop at the 2006 New Librarians' Symposium. We have decided to celebrate our 6th birthday with a "mini makeover". The ALIA Information Literacy Forum committee is inviting you to help rename the group by hosting a renaming competition. The entry with the winning name will receive a $50 Borders book voucher.

The competition deadline is Monday August 13 2007 with the winning entry to be announced in August. Entries should be emailed to the group convenor Helen Partridge at helen.partridge@alia.org.au. Further details can be found on the group's website http://www.alia.org.au/groups/infolit/

Information Architecture post @ Victorian Dept of Justice

We've been contacted by the Dept. of Justice in Victoria who are keen to take on someone in an information architecture role (not necessarily with experience) - job description attached. I'm quoting below:

"We are advertising a taxonomist position at present and would welcome applications from information architecture graduates. [snip] I'd like to emphasise that we would be very open to applications from people who don't have much practical work experience, but whose theoretical grounding is strong. Because it is a specialist role, we want to encourage as many applicants as possible.

We do need candidates to be able to demonstrate good communication skills, as a key part of the role is communication with business unit content owners and the ability to educate content managers about taxonomies. The current closing date for the position is this Friday, but I'd also be open to late applications if I'd spoken to any interested candidates."

The contact for those interested is:
Juliette Cox
Tel: [03] 8684 1599
Fax: [03] 8684 1579
Project Manager, Taxonomy Management
Innovation Knowledge and StrategyStrategic Projects and Planning Division
Email: juliette.cox@justice.vic.gov.au

Libraries in the 21st century

The Centre for Information Studies is proud to announce its latest publication, Libraries in the twenty-first century.

Libraries in the twenty-first century brings together leading library educators and practitioners to provide a scholarly yet accessible overview of library and information management and the challenges that the twenty-first century offers the information profession.

The papers in this collection illustrate the changing nature of the library as it evolves into its twenty-first century manifestation.

Aimed at students and practitioners alike, Libraries in the twenty-first century covers specific types of library and information agencies, discusses specific aspects of library and information management and places developments in library and information services in a number of broad contexts: socio-economic, ethico-legal, historical and educational.

Library tatts

Just how hardcore a librarian are you? Would you get a tattoo to show your passion for libraries?

Just like the US Marine Corps or the Parachute Regiment - you'd want people to know you'd done your tour of duty. Wouldn't you? Maybe....

Libraries in the Digital Age

Dr Bob Pymm, working hard preparing his conference paper (uploaded by CSU Information Studies).

LIDA (Libraries in the Digital Age) is an international conference, held annually, that this year (in Dubrovnik, Croatia May 28 – June 2 2007) focused on two themes – users and digital libraries, and the economics of digital libraries. The conference was organized by the JJ Strossmayer University in Osijek, Croatia and Rutgers University New York. Papers covered a wide range of topics associated with the conference theme, including one from our very own Bob Pymm, on e-book use in public libraries. The presentations from the conference are available online.

Around 150 people attended – evenly split between those from eastern Europe and those from the west with a large contingent from the US. These included some surprisingly high powered names including Christine Borgman (Dean of UCLA Library School), her predecessor and now emeritus professor Bob Hayes; Karen Fisher (University of Washington, Seattle) – one of the authors of Theories of Information Behavior and Peiling Wang from the University of Tennessee, award winning author in the information behavior field.

Librarians are cool - it's official!

According to the New York Times there's a new breed of techno-savvy librarian, sporting tattoos and up on pop culture.

Hey, you knew that already didn't you? You probably are one. The article points out that the information environment exists well beyond the library and that the next generation of librarians realise that they need to explore online spaces as much as library spaces. That's why the online information environment, the use of technology and new media all feature strongly in our program at the School of Information Studies.

Research librarian post at Blake Waldron Dawson

Blake Waldron Dawson, an international law firm, are looking for a part-time research librarian at their Canberra office. Details pasted below -

Blake Dawson Waldron is one of Australia's international leading law firms with more than 1000 staff nationally. A part-time position, equivalent to three days a week is available within our Library team.

Reporting to the Canberra Library Manager you will be responsible for providing research services to lawyers, support staff, and external clients to enable them to perform their roles effectively. A key responsibility will be providing training to BDW staff in the efficient selection and use of information resources. Duties also include, but are not limited to, accessioning, collection maintenance, and various administrative tasks.

Qualified in Library and Information Management, or in your final year of your qualification, you have a strong client service commitment and friendly approach. You will possess excellent organisational and time management skills, attention to detail, a willingness to learn and the ability to prioritise.

This is a fast paced and challenging work environment where excellence in work quality, initiative and professionalism are essential.

For further information about this position please contact Maria Pate by telephone 02 6234 4071. If you are interested in this position please address your application by COB Friday 22 June to:

Jane Haddock
Blake Dawson Waldron
Level 11, 12 Moore Street
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: jane.haddock@bdw.com

Study visit to Canberra

Study visit to High Court Library in Canberra Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

Study visits are an essential component of many of the courses we offer. The visits provide students with an insight into professional practice across a range of sectors of the information profession in Australia, usually from the inside of some of the nation's most prestigious institutions. The recent study visit to Canberra took in the National Library of Australia, the Parliamentary Library, the Australian War Memorial and the High Court Library (to name but a few).

They're also good fun. Students studying by distance get the opportunity to meet up, to share experiences and make connections.

Thai Information Science academics visit CSU

Associate Professors Chutima Sacchanand and Tassana Hanpol visited the School of Information Studies during May. Chutima (who holds a doctorate from CSU) and Hassana are both from the School of Liberal Studies, STOU (Suhkothai Thammathirat Open University) in Bangkok, where they teach information science.

At CSU they discussed with staff of the School of Information Studies possibilities for collaboration. They also visited public libraries in Wagga Wagga and Canberra. As Chutima is currently President of the Thai Library Association they also visited the Parliamentary Library in Canberra, to meet the Parliamentary Librarian and ALIA President Roxanne Missingham.

Acting Head of School Dr Joy McGregor

Dr Joy McGregor has taken on the role of Acting Head of School, here at the School of Information Studies. Joy talks to Jake Wallis about the challenges that the School faces as she settles into her new role (the audio of their conversation is available online, running time 3 minutes 37 seconds).

Dr Kirsty Williamson heads way out west

As Director of Information and Telecommunications Needs Research (a research partnership between Monash University and Charles Sturt University), Dr Kirsty Williamson recently spent some time working in Western Australia. Kirsty was interviewing for the Australian Research Council Discovery project: One Day, We'll All Invest This Way! Regulating Online Investment, and whilst there took the opportunity to interview the Chief Librarian of the City of Joondalup Libraries for the project, The Impact of the Retirement of the Baby Boomers on the Public Library. The latter project is funded by Upper Murray Regional Library, the State Library of NSW, and Public Libraries Australia.

Kirsty's involvement in this project stems from the belief that the level and standard of information seeking, undertaken by online investors, will indicate whether there is a need for further regulation of the activity. Kirsty notes that the four interviews she did in Western Australia were some of the most interesting that the group has done – providing a wide variety of information-seeking approaches.

Kirsty was invited to present on various research projects and was sponsored by ALIA West, the State Library of WA, and Information Studies in Faculty of Media, Society & Culture, Curtin University of Technology. The presentation covered both projects mentioned above, as well as her work with CSU PhD student, Terry Asla, on the information needs and behaviours of older people.

Also mentioned was the Australian Research Council Linkage project, Generating Knowledge and Avoiding Plagiarism: Smart Information Use by Secondary Students (in which Kirsty works along with Dr Joy McGregor, Professor John Weckert, Dr Yeslam Al-Saggaf as Chief Investigators). A CSU student from Western Australia, Maureena Lockyer-Benzie, who is investigating baby boomers in relation to public libraries for her PhD studies, also made a contribution to the presentation.

The PowerPoint used for the presentation can be found at:

http://infotech.monash.edu.au/research/groups/itnr/assets/perth-seminar.ppt

Managing knowledge together

Jimmy Wales, the co-founder of Wikipedia, was in Australia recently doing a number of workshops around the country. The events were organised by education.au, an organisation involved in the promotion of ICT in education.

"What's all the fuss about?" you might ask. Well, Wikipedia is fascinating for those of us involved in education and research in information studies. In a very powerful way, Wikipedia demonstrates the potential of online spaces for a collaborative and consensus-based approach to the creation and management of knowledge. The technology platform, the wiki, that is the foundation for a large-scale (global) project such as Wikipedia has grown from the open-source software movement. Various flavours of wiki software are freely available for download and implementation.

Here in the School of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University we're thinking about how the potential of the wiki environment can be harnessed to faciliate group learning within Higher Education and as a tool for knowledge management.

Congratulations, Dr Fan!

Qiuyan Fan PhD Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

The School of Information Studies’ graduation ceremony on 20 April was notable for the conferring of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy on Qiuyan Fan (pictured above between supervisors Professor Ross Harvey and Dr Kirsty Williamson).

Qiuyan’s topic was ‘Internet access and Government policy: the case of Australia’. Her research looked at how Australian federal government policy on telecommunications influences internet access in Australia. Its findings provide insights into the regulatory outcome and the effectiveness of national approaches, which are helpful to inform and improve current practice in Australia. It also has implications for other countries. Qiuyan’s research is of course particularly relevant to libraries, who increasingly deliver services via the internet.

Qiuyan is now a Lecturer and Course Advisor for Bachelor of Business (E-business) at the University of Western Sydney.

We have a tie....

Zenith Management Services Group prize winners Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

....for the Zenith Management Services Group Undergraduate Library and Information Management Prize!

Time for a deciding tie-breaker, fingers on buzzers.....no, in fact the prize was jointly awarded to Rachel Gillot and Amy Heap, who are pictured here with Marian Cantarella, Senior Personnel Consultant at Zenith Information Management Services, on graduation day.

ALIA prize winners

ALIA prize winners Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

Well done to our ALIA prizewinners Alinda Sheerman, Rosalind Wade, Deborah Hill and Lynette Barker, pictured here at graduation with ALIA board member, (our very own) Damian Lodge.

Congratulations also to Colin Noud (not pictured).

Points mean prizes!

The School of Information Studies is fortunate enough to have the sponsorship of prizes for our top students from a number of prominent information industry organisations. Prizes are sponsored by:

• The Australian Library and Information Association
• OVID
• Softlink Australia
• Zenith Information Management Services

Can't look bad on your CV!

Graduation Day 2007

Graduation 2007 Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

It was graduation day yesterday, a very special day for staff and students at the School.

After all the hard work (we're talking blood, sweat and tears here) graduation day is often the culmination of several years of study. Accepting your degree in front of your family, your peers, your teachers, is the recognition that effort deserves.

Given that all our courses are taught by distance education, it feels particularly special to have students here on the campus to accept their degrees. It's the acknowledgement of a relationship with the School of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University which has been challenging, stimulating and ultimately rewarding.

Damian Lodge elected to ALIA Board of Directors

Damian Lodge Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

Congratulations to School of Information Studies lecturer, Damian Lodge, who has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Australian Library and Information Association!

Damian has a background in academic library management and is currently working hard on a PhD exploring organisational culture in libraries. Damian is sure to do a sterling job in his new role, which will allow the profession to benefit from his many talents.

Kylie Hanson

It was with sadness that School of Information Studies staff learned of the passing of Kylie Hanson on January 22, 2007. Kylie was a member of the SIS academic team for 7 years from 1996 to 2002 and taught a number of subjects for the Teacher Librarianship courses, including ETL402 Literature in Education, ETL501 Information Environment and ETL525 Knowledge Management, and was heavily involved in the development of the professional practice program for TL and LIM students.

Over the past 2 1/2 years Kylie battled with 3 different types of cancer. During the last few months her health declined dramatically and, thankfully, she passed away peacefully in her own home with her sister and brother by her side. The Australian School Library Association (NSW) website (http://www.aslansw.org.au/) has published a vale detailing Kylie’s contribution to the teacher librarianship profession both in Australia and internationally.

People at the School of Information Studies

People at the School of Information Studies Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

We're a fairly international bunch here at the School of Information Studies. Joy McGregor, our Acting Head of School, is Canadian. We've got Kiwis, Aussies of course, Irish, English, Scots.

The advantage is an international outlook on information studies in theory and practice. For those keen to work managing information in a globalised world, a diversity of perspectives is certainly to be valued.

Meeting over dim sum

Meeting over dim sum Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

One of the pleasures of travelling is, of course, enjoying the food and social activities of different cultures.

Thanks to our partnership with Hong Kong University School of Professional and Continuing Education, this is an experience that lecturers at the School of Information Studies are able to enjoy when we teach our students in Hong Kong.

Jake Wallis, Roy Sanders and John Mills spent some time in Hong Kong in early March, teaching groups of students in our Masters of Applied Science (Library and Information Management) course. Roy had been even further afield, having visited our students at the University of Mauritius!

Here we enjoy a traditional dim sum lunch with Ruby Lee, the program administrator at HKU SPACE.

Off-shore teaching

Opening hours Originally uploaded by CSU Information Studies.

Whilst the majority of our students are in Australia, the focus on distance education here at the School of Information Studies allows us to provide courses to groups of students in countries a long, long way away. You'd be surprised by the locations that some of our student assignments have to be sent back to!

Welcome!

We'll be using this blog to keep you informed about what is happening at the School of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University; who's who's, who's where and who's doing what!

There's always plenty going on and we'll even provide some piccies too.