This slidecast has been prepared by myself and Constance Wiebrands on behalf of Kate Davis, lecturer at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). It is intended for students in the Information Programs unit at QUT. Please post a message on the blog if you have any questions about our programs at ECU. Thanks, Julia
Showing posts with label academic libraries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label academic libraries. Show all posts
Monday, 27 August 2012
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Library life day two
Yesterday I neglected to include a link to what the Library Day in the Life Project is all about:
The Library Day in the Life Project is coordinated by Bobbi Newman of Librarian by Day. Twice a year librarians, library staff and library students from all over the globe share a day (or week) in their life through blog posts, photos, video and Twitter updates.
This site includes links to all the other people involved in the project:
http://twapperkeeper.com/hashtag/libday7
http://www.netvibes.com/librarianbyday#Round_6_Library_Day_in_the_Life_Project
I started the day conducting a data interview with one of our researchers in computer security.
This involved discussing several datasets the research centre holds that could possibly be shared with other researchers outside the centre. One dataset I heard about is what they call “honeypot” data that reveal patterns in security attacks. It was fascinating and I came away just a little bit worried about how secure any of us are online. Going by the laws of probability, despite our best efforts some malware will get through and do damage.
The data interview is one of the key roles of a research data librarian. The idea of the data interview is to gather as much information as possible about a research project and associated research dataset or data collection. This information (in our case) then gets written up and described and added to Research Data Australia (RDA) Australia's research data portal. The metadata schema used to described data in RDA is RIF-CS.
There are several elements to this work: one is using the skills a research or faculty librarian would have whereby you learn to understand the client’s research area. Another is having a sound understanding of research data and how that may differ across disciplines. Another is more a cataloguing/metadata librarian role whereby you use a defined metadata schema to describe the data.
I have been working on some research data training and seminars which I will talk about tomorrow…
The Library Day in the Life Project is coordinated by Bobbi Newman of Librarian by Day. Twice a year librarians, library staff and library students from all over the globe share a day (or week) in their life through blog posts, photos, video and Twitter updates.
This site includes links to all the other people involved in the project:
http://twapperkeeper.com/hashtag/libday7
http://www.netvibes.com/librarianbyday#Round_6_Library_Day_in_the_Life_Project
I started the day conducting a data interview with one of our researchers in computer security.
This involved discussing several datasets the research centre holds that could possibly be shared with other researchers outside the centre. One dataset I heard about is what they call “honeypot” data that reveal patterns in security attacks. It was fascinating and I came away just a little bit worried about how secure any of us are online. Going by the laws of probability, despite our best efforts some malware will get through and do damage.
The data interview is one of the key roles of a research data librarian. The idea of the data interview is to gather as much information as possible about a research project and associated research dataset or data collection. This information (in our case) then gets written up and described and added to Research Data Australia (RDA) Australia's research data portal. The metadata schema used to described data in RDA is RIF-CS.
There are several elements to this work: one is using the skills a research or faculty librarian would have whereby you learn to understand the client’s research area. Another is having a sound understanding of research data and how that may differ across disciplines. Another is more a cataloguing/metadata librarian role whereby you use a defined metadata schema to describe the data.
I have been working on some research data training and seminars which I will talk about tomorrow…
Friday, 24 June 2011
Coasting is not an option
I'm reading Jonathan Raban's wonderful travel book "Coasting", which is about Raban's voyage sailing solo around the British Isles in the 1980s. Early on in the book Raban goes off on a diversion about the various meanings of the word "coasting" and says he was hauled over the coals at school for "coasting". His school report said he was not using his talents, not exerting himself, and was just sailing along.
Then I came across Michael Stephens' heretical thoughts on transforming library science education, set out recently in some of his slides posted on Stephens' Tame the Web blog. The slides are from a presentation at the Future of Academic Libraries Symposium.
One of the slides struck a chord with me. It was entitled : "coasting is not an option".
I think Raban's school teacher and Michael Stephens are making the same point and it's a familiar point, made by many: use your talents, make the most of your opportunities, step out of you comfort zone and take a few risks. Libraries are changing so fast that we can't afford to coast.
If you want to be inspired by a group of librarians who are NOT coasting read some of the posts on the SLA Future Ready 365 blog 2011 http://futureready365.sla.org/
Then I came across Michael Stephens' heretical thoughts on transforming library science education, set out recently in some of his slides posted on Stephens' Tame the Web blog. The slides are from a presentation at the Future of Academic Libraries Symposium.
One of the slides struck a chord with me. It was entitled : "coasting is not an option".
I think Raban's school teacher and Michael Stephens are making the same point and it's a familiar point, made by many: use your talents, make the most of your opportunities, step out of you comfort zone and take a few risks. Libraries are changing so fast that we can't afford to coast.
If you want to be inspired by a group of librarians who are NOT coasting read some of the posts on the SLA Future Ready 365 blog 2011 http://futureready365.sla.org/
Friday, 3 June 2011
Report: The value of libraries for research and researchers
One of the most interesting reports to come out in recent months is the UK report on libraries and research which is a must read for all academic library managers.
The value of libraries for research and researchers
The report was jointly commissioned by RIN and RLUK in the U.K. and it presents the findings of a systematic study of the value of the services that libraries provide to researchers, and of the contributions that libraries from a wide range of institutions make to institutional research performance.
The key points are compelling and clearly state the benefits of libraries for research:
1. Good libraries help institutions to recruit and retain top researchers
2. Libraries help researchers win research grants and contracts
3. Libraries promote and exploit new technologies and new models of scholarly communications
4. Repositories increase the visibility of the institution and raise its research profile
5. Outward-facing libraries contribute to institution-wide initiatives
6. Specialist staff work in partnership with academic departments
7. Connecting with researchers enhances the value of the library's services
8. Dedicated spaces provide a better work environment for researchers
9. Easy access to high-quality content is a key foundation for good research
10. Libraries are a physical manifestation of the values of the academy and of scholarship
The value of libraries for research and researchers
The report was jointly commissioned by RIN and RLUK in the U.K. and it presents the findings of a systematic study of the value of the services that libraries provide to researchers, and of the contributions that libraries from a wide range of institutions make to institutional research performance.
The key points are compelling and clearly state the benefits of libraries for research:
1. Good libraries help institutions to recruit and retain top researchers
2. Libraries help researchers win research grants and contracts
3. Libraries promote and exploit new technologies and new models of scholarly communications
4. Repositories increase the visibility of the institution and raise its research profile
5. Outward-facing libraries contribute to institution-wide initiatives
6. Specialist staff work in partnership with academic departments
7. Connecting with researchers enhances the value of the library's services
8. Dedicated spaces provide a better work environment for researchers
9. Easy access to high-quality content is a key foundation for good research
10. Libraries are a physical manifestation of the values of the academy and of scholarship
Thursday, 2 December 2010
ANDS, data management and libraries
Slides from my presentation this week to library staff on ANDS (the Australian National Data Service) and data management and libraries.
ANDS and Data Management
View more presentations from Julia Gross.
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
23 Things program, follow up article published
The Electronic Library (TEL) has just published our follow up article on the 23 Things program at our library. It seems like it has been a long time coming. We submitted it in early 2009, but there were many other articles in the pipeline at TEL, so we had to wait.
Thanks to my co-author, Lyn Leslie, and all involved.
The full citation:
Julia Gross, Lyn Leslie, (2010) "Learning 2.0: a catalyst for library organisational change", Electronic Library, The, Vol. 28 Iss: 5, pp.657 - 668
Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe “what happened” with round two of the implementation of Learning 2.0 with a large and diverse group of library staff at Edith Cowan University (ECU) Library during 2007/2008.
Design/methodology/approach – A previous paper reported on a study of the suitability of the 23 Things Learning 2.0 program for a small group of early adopters in the ECU Library. This follow-up paper reports challenges that library management faced when the remaining staff were given the 23 Things Learning 2.0 program. All remaining library staff members were encouraged to undertake the program, but take-up was not strong and only 25 per cent of staff completed the program. At the conclusion of round two of Learning 2.0, all staff were surveyed to find out reasons for completion or non-completion, what types of technologies they needed support with, and how they wished to learn about the emerging/Web 2.0 technologies.
Findings – From the observations and survey responses in this study it was found that while Learning 2.0 was a suitable program, some staff required extra time and a more hands-on approach to their workplace learning.
Originality/value – The paper is unique in that it follows up on previous research at the same institution, and reveals new findings.
DOI
10.1108/02640471011081942
The Electronic Library is one of the Emerald Insight journals: www.emeraldinsight.com
Thanks to my co-author, Lyn Leslie, and all involved.
The full citation:
Julia Gross, Lyn Leslie, (2010) "Learning 2.0: a catalyst for library organisational change", Electronic Library, The, Vol. 28 Iss: 5, pp.657 - 668
Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe “what happened” with round two of the implementation of Learning 2.0 with a large and diverse group of library staff at Edith Cowan University (ECU) Library during 2007/2008.
Design/methodology/approach – A previous paper reported on a study of the suitability of the 23 Things Learning 2.0 program for a small group of early adopters in the ECU Library. This follow-up paper reports challenges that library management faced when the remaining staff were given the 23 Things Learning 2.0 program. All remaining library staff members were encouraged to undertake the program, but take-up was not strong and only 25 per cent of staff completed the program. At the conclusion of round two of Learning 2.0, all staff were surveyed to find out reasons for completion or non-completion, what types of technologies they needed support with, and how they wished to learn about the emerging/Web 2.0 technologies.
Findings – From the observations and survey responses in this study it was found that while Learning 2.0 was a suitable program, some staff required extra time and a more hands-on approach to their workplace learning.
Originality/value – The paper is unique in that it follows up on previous research at the same institution, and reveals new findings.
DOI
10.1108/02640471011081942
The Electronic Library is one of the Emerald Insight journals: www.emeraldinsight.com
Monday, 25 October 2010
Story telling using Make Beliefs Comix
The October digital story telling challenge was started by RestructureGirl in her blog post. For Week 4 of I have done a comic using MakeBeliefsComix.com
The key to story telling is to simply your message and get the story told in a few images. Comics are good for that in that you can pick characters, change their mood and gestures and add text as words or thought bubbles.
I can see many applications in a library setting, even in academic libraries. The story is told in my comic is aimed at postgraduate students promoting our library's open access repository and the comic is called How does you research find an audience ?
The direct link to it is:
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/?comix_id=20368245C324795
You can't save this work on their website, but have to print a copy, do a screen capture or email the link. It's dead easy to do one.
The key to story telling is to simply your message and get the story told in a few images. Comics are good for that in that you can pick characters, change their mood and gestures and add text as words or thought bubbles.
I can see many applications in a library setting, even in academic libraries. The story is told in my comic is aimed at postgraduate students promoting our library's open access repository and the comic is called How does you research find an audience ?
The direct link to it is:
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/?comix_id=20368245C324795
You can't save this work on their website, but have to print a copy, do a screen capture or email the link. It's dead easy to do one.
Friday, 27 August 2010
Our students take to web scale discovery
Library OneSearch
Earlier this year we did a usability study of our new web scale discovery product, Summon.This is a very brief presentation I did on the study's findings during ECU Research Week in August 2010.
The full paper detailing all the findings, has been submitted by Lutie Sheridan and I and is expected to be published by Emerald Publishing later in 2010
Earlier this year we did a usability study of our new web scale discovery product, Summon.This is a very brief presentation I did on the study's findings during ECU Research Week in August 2010.
The full paper detailing all the findings, has been submitted by Lutie Sheridan and I and is expected to be published by Emerald Publishing later in 2010
View more presentations from Julia Gross.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
