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).