Cliff's Notes - Ken Roberts Interviews Clifford Lynch

:: One of the sessions I attended on Friday dealing was Cliff's Notes, featuring Clifford Lynch of the Coalition for Networked Information. The format of the session was an interview, with Ken Roberts, Chief Librarian of Hamilton Public Library, posing the questions. Lynch covered a lot of ground, offering detailed opinions on the US Patriot Act and its effect on libraries, suggesting, for example, that if libraries gave patrons a set of choices in which they can opt in to having behavioural history captured, with their full knowledge that this was being reported, the library, in trust, would treat this information responsibly (a no-brainer, I suppose).

He spoke at length about institutional repositories and data sets, noting that the US-based National Science Board recently approved a set of policies on archiving data sets, including funding, how to maintain, etc. Institutional repositories are becoming more prolific in academia, but not as much in US gov't based areas. Lynch believes we need both institutional and disciplinary repositories. In discussing disciplinary, or subject-based repositories, he noted differences in how data and information is disseminated, based on the discipline. In astronomy, for example, national and international virtual observatories are being created, allowing for the quick sharing of astronomical data. In contrast, the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls was limited to a small number of scholars, and access was locked up to others for decades.

On the changing nature of reading, he said that there is some movement away from print with regards to reading more online - the advent of better screens and display technology is having an impact on this. No large scale study has been done to confirm this is happening. Other developments include an increased confidence in users' abilities to save and/or relocate documents found online. Initially, we were "printing to read intensively", now we are printing a working document and discarding afterwards. (Comment: has blogging had some impact on this?)

Wireless is becoming more ubiquitous, (except, as a good friend and colleague noted, at large conference centres in Canada!) More campuses are going full wireless, but there are some professors who "push back", not wanting their students to surf or IM during classes. The result of more wireless access is a shift in social behaviour in group settings, such as classes and meetings. Information can be verified or obtained quickly in meetings or classrooms equipped with wireless functionality.

One problem for the public library is, what is the public library's responsibility if a user is accessing a wireless network in said public library that is not the library's network itself? It's one thing to have a policy, it's another to enforce it, with numerous headaches that can multiply.

CLA Tech Track: Blogging

Darlene Fichter, University of Saskatchewan, started the discussion on blogging with a great list of how libraries use blogs, for promotion – upcoming events, etc.; news, internal communications for knowledge sharing and best practices/know how; projects/committees, professional/personal development, getting interactive with the community for instance through book discussion clubs and comments on local history projects; lightweight publishing by using the blog as a section of a web site; getting an RSS feed, and to be viewed as a community leader. She also pointed to a great list of library blogs.

Aaron Schmidt talked about reasons to go blog which included that it is free, fast, and there are premade templates. Darlene went on to talk about the basics of RSS (Really Simple Syndication), followed by a more indepth look at RSS by Steven Cohen, former law librarian and Librarian PubSub Concepts and Randy Reichardt, Information Services Librarian (Engineering), University of Alberta. For more tech track comments see the Dysart & Jones website soon.

Leadership & the 8Rs

Ernie Ingles, Associate VP of Learning Systems & Chief Librarian, University of Alberta and the 8R’s research team introduced at CLA in Calgary today a new research report, The 8R’s Canadian Library Human Resources Study, which is now available in English and will shortly be available in French as well. See my earlier comments on this report and download the full report.

60th CLA Cionference

Opened in Calgary today by Canadian Library Association President Stephen Abram with a moving and powerful video of the Canadian National Anthem. An Alberta representative welcomed info pros and invited them to celebrate Alberta’s 100th birthday. Ian Wilson of Library and Archives Canada added his welcome and also best wishes for Saskatchewan’s birthday. He mentioned a new poll which indicated that 96% of Canadians felt that the Canadian library mandate is important or very important. He emphasized that we have to use this information for action, not just discussion, and to build partnerhips and collaboration to release the full power of libraries. Michael Gorman, incoming President of the American Library Association, brought his greetings to the audience.

Blogging & RSS: Applications & Technology

:: Yesterday I was a panel member at the session, Blogging & RSS: Applications & Technology. The description from the program:

This session starts with a solid grounding in the technology and applications of Web logs. It uses real world examples from a variety of libraries to illustrate applications and best practices in the information community. It discusses the tools and software necessary to get started, some advanced tools, like RSS (Really Simple Syndication), to improve production and delivery for Web logs/blogs, and highlights tips and tricks from experienced practitioners.

Speakers: Darlene Fichter, Data Library Co-ordinator, University of Saskatchewan & President, Northern Lights Internet Solutions; Randy Reichardt, Information Services Librarian (Engineering), Science & Technology, University of Alberta; Aaron Schmidt, Reference Librarian, Thomas Ford Memorial Public Library; Steven Cohen, Librarian, PubSub Concepts Inc. and Editor, LibraryStuff.Net

It was a lively session, which began with some technical difficulties, including two BSoDs and no 'net connectivity. Darlene, unable to display her slides, was a trooper as she spoke to the audience of the basics and benefits of blogging. Aaron followed, with a short presentation covering Nine Reasons To Go Blog, including zero costs, great learning tool, the workload can be distributed, and more. I was next, and presented the first half of my slides, up to the section on RSS. I highlighted examples from an academic library perspective, including working with design engineering students, assisting them in creating blogs for project management. I stopped at the RSS portion of my presentation, as RSS was introduced and discussed next by Darlene, who then introduced Steven.

Steven created a blog to highlight examples of good sites, including LIS blogs and directories, examples of libraries using RSS, Canadian specific sites (excellent idea!), and sites which allow you to customize. Steven used unique Canadian examples, including an Environment Canada hurricane watch feed, and an example of a feed created to follow one Canadian Member of Parliament in the House of Commons.

With five minutes left, we took as many questions as we could, and spent another 10-15 minutes afterwards visiting with audience members who wanted more feedback. It was a good session, well attended and organized. Thanks to Darlene, Aaron and Steven, who were great co-panelists! Another account of the session is available at the Country Librarian's site.

Greetings from Edmonton (on my way to Calgary!)

Hello, and welcome to the CLA Calgary Conference Blog. It's a great idea to invite participants and delegates to contribute their observations and learning experiences to one site, to be shared and discussed by others. Discourse rules! Enjoy Calgary and the conference, everyone.

Welcome to Calgary and the CLA 2005 Blog!

CLA's Conference 2005 Blog is here!

All delegates are invited to contribute their conference learnings and experiences. Tell us what you've heard for your colleagues across the country to get in on the event.

• Blog the conference sessions and keynotes.
• Blog the exciting socials and openings.
• Blog the exhibits and trade show.
• Blog your insights and thoughts.

CLA's President, and lead blogger, says that "CLA is happy to offer this service for all members to experience the conference - either here in wonderful Calgary or from afar. It's the latest tool we have to strengthen the Canadian library movement.

Canadian Libraries - Diving into the Digital Age

Calgary, Alberta ~ Librarians from across Canada discuss digital challenges, freedom of information and protecting the public's right to know at the 60th Annual Canadian Library Association Conference, June 15-18, 2005 at the TELUS Convention Centre. Keynote speakers address the role of libraries in a democratic society and the need to re-define sharing information in the electronic environment. One thousand delegates are expected to attend.

"Canadians deserve libraries as a democratic right", says Stephen Abram, President of the CLA. "This conference, among other things, examines the public's changing information needs and how the libraries of the future will need to adapt in order to continue to serve and add value to our communities, our schools, our universities, our businesses."

Keynote speakers include:
Sharon Wood on insights from a higher ground. Wood was the first woman in North America to climb Mount Everest and she uses this achievement as a metaphor for excellence.

David Snowden on storytelling in organizations. If you ask people to describe what they think and do, they cannot do it very well. If you ask them to tell their stories of their life and workplaces you find great insights and knowledge and deeper cultures and truths. Snowden has been involved in major story collection exercises that have moved corporations and cultures. His work has been used successfully in anti-terrorism activities.

David Bollier on what the privatization of knowledge means for the public's right to creativity and knowledge. He wants libraries to challenge the privatization of information. Bollier is a writer and public affairs and political advisor to television writer/producer Norman Lear.

Traditional library services are not forgotten. For example, parents in Calgary will be interested in the results of a major Canada-wide study on children from grades 4-7. The study shows what this age group thinks about libraries, describes their reading and viewing preferences and the differences between those who use the library and those who do not. Innovative programs and services for seniors and aboriginal populations will be explored.

"People think that what librarians do at conferences is sit around all day and read books", says President Abram, but he knows that the proceedings will be anything but quiet! Appreciating that librarians know how to have fun, Calgary Public Library Director Gerry Meek has thrown the "Director's Cup Challenge" to his fellow chief librarians across the country! Book truck races anyone?

Pat Cavill, a library consultant from Calgary wins the Outstanding Contribution to Librarianship Award, CLA's highest honour.

CLA has held its 40th, 50th and now 60th Anniversary conferences in Calgary.