Author talk: Gregory Day

On Saturday I headed over to Daylesford for their Words in Winter Festival. Each year the public library has a free author talk and this year it was writer, poet and musician Gregory Day. He was very different to the previous years actually because he bought his guitar, sung some songs, poetry etc. He was a bit Pete Murray like really. Anyway, I liked hearing him talk as he is sort of local. His books are based in a South West Coast Victorian town so it felt like I knew where he was talking about. He also read some chapters from his book. Not sure if they are my sort of thing as they deal with the ideas of the natural world, animal love and loss of place (a bit too in depth for me I think). Anyway, he was interesting and I had a lovely afternoon out. I love it that I only had 20 minutes to drive to hear him instead of going all the way to Melbourne.

Book: Glitz

I just finished Louise Bagshawe's latest blockbuster. Now Louise WAS my favourite chick lit author for many years, but the last two novels have been a bit off. I mean I really enjoyed this but it seems she has slapped it together whereas her first 10 or so were brilliant. Not sure if it is because she has gotten really popular or what?? Anyway, this was about 4 cousins who are accustomed to living the high life, thanks to a trust fund set up by their super-rich, reclusive Uncle Clem. But when Uncle Clem summons his nieces to his mansion in the Seychelles to announce his engagement to Bai-Ling, a woman young enough to be their baby sister, the four girls instantly know trouble's afoot. We read about them trying to stop the wedding and how the four pampered princesses have to cope without their trust fund. But as in all of Louise's books the girls find an inner strength that will be the making of them all. Ah - trashy (but great)!

NLS4 Meeting

On the Saturday morning I was up early and headed back into the city for an NLS4 meeting. It was a great meeting as everything is starting to "fall into place". It really will be a superb event. There is still so much to do (so I want time to slow) but it will be so exciting so at the same time I want it to speed up and arrive. Plus, we also had a new edition to the team. Jill had a baby boy two weeks ago (Ronan Baker Stephens) and I went and visited him at the hospital and he is gorgeous. Congrats to our beautiful Jill and welcome along for the ride Ronan!

HLI Dinner (Life Membership Award)

On Friday July 25th I did head to Melbourne for the HLI Life Membership Award. Kerry Johannes, was the recipient of the 2008 Award. Kerry has contributed in many ways to the development of the Victorian Health Library Sector and to both ALIA and HLI during her lengthy career in Libraries. It was great to hear the citation because as I am relatively "new" to libraries you come to hear about the industry and those who contributed to it before my time. Not to forget of course that the dinner was deliciously and the company superb!

ALIA Rural and Regional NAC Teleconference

On July 16th I participated in the ALIA Rural and Regional NAC Teleconference. It was great to be able to dial into an ALIA meeting rather than having to trek up and down that highway (which I just can't face these days).

The meeting focused on the future of Professional Development and it was great to have a discussion with those that are in similar situations. ie. NOT in capital cities. I mean PD can be really expensive as is, not to mention the costs of travel, accommodation etc. Anyway, Jan who chaired the teleconference asked who was in the PD Scheme etc. and those who were got a prize. A week later in the mail I received one of those cool memory sticks that are bracelets. It was worth dialling in just for that!!

Anyway, it was nice to "meet" Jan as she is ALIA VP and she lives in a regional area so she knew where we were coming from. It will be interesting to see what comes of the discussions around the country.

Book: Alek

I read the above book far too soon after reading the Waris Dirie one as they were very similar. This book was very easy to read and a nice story about Alek who was once a Sudanese refugee and is now a International Supermodel (apparently - I had not heard of her before but that isn't surprising considering I have no idea about fashion!). Anyway, we see her raised from a rural up bringing to the glamour of London and New York. Not bad - but not super either.

Book: Chapatti or Chips

I also read this on holidays in NZ but never realised the author lived and set the books in Milton Keynes in the UK, just down the road from where I was born (so you know I liked it even more!). Basically a chick lit book based on an Indian girl who has a arranged marriage organised. She however, falls for the white Biritsh incorragible womaniser Dave. Just like a Mills and Boon romance he comes in just before she is to be married and sweeps her off her feet. Yes, you could easily read the plot from page one but I still loved it!

Book: Desert Flower

I read this book whilst on holidays in New Zealand. One of those that has been very well received by the public, lots of publicity etc. but just one I had never got around to reading. It was brilliant. Waris Dirie's life story, from her childhood as a desert nomad in Somalia to the start of her career as a supermodel in England, provides a great deal of cultural insight. Her strength of conviction, faith in a higher power, and courage in the face of great danger are truly inspiring. This is a very frankly written, often disturbing account meant to spread awareness of the dangerous but all-too-common cultural practice of female genital mutilation. Just a great heart wrenching read. Her story since continues in more books that have been published since which I need to read now!

Book: Return to the High Country

This was a good book, but not a great one like the first one. It carried on David's story with his wife and three children, which in turn grew into their lives, their children etc. Another great story but just not quite as good as the first. I definitely can't wait to read more of his though!

Book: Call of the High Country

WOW! Awesome - new favourite author. Tony Parsons books are very much like Rachael Treasure's (whose I also love). This is a brilliant Australian saga about life in the high country of NSW. It follows young David and his family as they struggle to maintain their farm and then to build upon there little empire. There is love and tragedy, weddings and funerals. Lots of drama. Just brilliant. I am rushing home tonight to start the sequel!

Ballarat Library Industry Dinner

On Thursday May 29th we had our second Ballarat Library Dinner at Lekkers. It was a good night and as you can see we all got to wear pearls! It was great to chat to those in the region who work in different libraries. We also heard from the Acting CEO of the public library about their new Swift Consortium which was also interesting.

Book & Bookgroup: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

I was so excited to read this because I had never ever read an Agatha Christie book before (hence the reason I joined a book group to spread my reading further!). Anyway, it was lovely. The writing reminded me of Austen and Bronte with villages and towns and estates etc. Naturally I completely missed who the murderer was (the Doctor) but I throughly enjoyed it like a giddy school child!

NLS4: Dinner venue confirmed

How exciting - we are having the conference dinner at the MCG, overlooking the hallowed turf! It promises to be a wonderful night. I was so relieved when it was confirmed as we had heaps of problems securing a venue. Not that its all booked - bring it on!

Book: I Choose to Live

Oh this was a sad book. It is the story about Sabine who at age 12 was abducted and held captive and raped for 80 days. She was only found because the nasty man abducted another girl. I was so amazed by the determination of Sabine and how she has become such a strong young woman. Just amazing - I forgot I was reading about real life events!

Book: If I am Missing or Dead

From the blurb I thought this book was going to be about the authors sister who went missing and who had taped a note "If I am missing or dead" to the inside of her desk, but it wasn't. Well it was sort of. The first 300 pages were about the author and her horrible life (abusive husband) and it intermingled bits about her sister to, but not really until the last 100 pages or so in depth. Anyway, apart from that it was an interesting read just looking at the different sort of abuses women out up with. I am so fortunate to have a wonderful husband - the life for these two women was hell.

Book: Daddy's little girl

WOW! I read this in one day (when I was meant to be studying). This is a story about Julia who was sexually abused by her father. When she told people her father made up lies and her mother made her retract her statements. A true insight at what abuse can do to a normal little girl, who turned into a truly amazing woman! And a husband that believed and cherished her from the beginning and stuck with her until she was ready to tell her story, unbelievable! Very sad, but amazing...

Book & Bookgroup: Heart of Stone

I just finished reading this for my bookgroup. WOW! What a story. It was awfully sad, a little obscure etc. but a riveting read. It follows the life of Ellen who is living by herself and trying to figure out what happened 25 years ago. The story eventually unfolds that her mother had postnatal depression and suicided her husband, and 3 of Ellen's siblings. One other sibling survived from the suicide attempt on his life whilst Ellen was completely left out and forgotten about (she was outside playing with her dog). So it follows Ellen trying to accept what has happened and rebuilding her life 25 years on. I really liked it - not sure why but I was drawn to it. No one else in bookgroup liked it though!

Clunes Booktown 2008

On the weekend I headed 15 minutes up the road to the Clunes Booktown Festival. What a wonderful weekend. Not only did I buy a few books that I had wanted for ages (from expensive booksellers) but I also bought about 40 books from the cheap sales (the CFA nothing under $5 ones...) Most books were $1 each so I bought lots for friends and plenty for myself and many for Bookmooch too! OK - so I was super pleased with all my books, I loved wandering through the town looking at books, eating yummy food and enjoying the festival atmosphere. One of the best parts though was the Writer Talks - the Backchat events. On the Saturday morning it was John Marsden and Melissa Lucashenko (in conversation with Nigel Krauth who actually taught John Marsden at Uni!). Then I missed Sunday morning's talk but managed to make it back on Sunday afternoon (after having to drive to and from Melbourne that morning to pick up a motorbike - long story) . Sunday afternoon was again Nigel Krauth leading a panel with the 4 guest writers: John Marsden, Melissa Lucashenko, poet Anthony Lawrence and Miles Franklin winner Alexis Wright. Here are my notes:

Saturday:

John Marsden

Very laid back. Jeans knitted jumper etc. Very casual feel.
Wanted to be a cricketer, rugby player, guitarist, Prime Minister, bus driver...
Power as a teacher is immense. Seeking to empower the readers.
Reordering the world in his own vision through his words.
Young people taken seriously, respected, making there mark on the world.
Every sentence you strive for perfection.
Nice if your ideas connect with somebody else.
Traces of people they know in their novels
Setting fresh and contemporary language but essential the stories don't change (ie. adventure)
Important skills for kids: 1/ Language fluency (not necessarily writing but just language - speech etc. 2/ Confidence 3/ Integrity - values to sustain you.

Melissa Lucashenko

Wanted to be wealthy - LOL! Jockey - anything to do with horses.
Started a psychology degree (never finished).
Helps the homeless, drugos, prisoners (Sisters Inside organisation).
Murri (aboriginal). Laid back - jeans, windcheater with Obama 08 on it - not afraid to voice opinions.
Everything as a writer always feeds into your work.
When writing she comes in and out of perspective. Sometimes she doesn't know if it's any good until she has left it dormant for 6 months.
Structures her novel and plots it our but then sometimes the characters take over and the story changes.
When writing they live in parallel worlds - for instance the may see the back head of a character down the main street.
Not the end of the world if a child can't read or write but it is an important skill.
Very indigenous focused. Saying the KKK is still around in parts of rural Australia!

Sunday: Where Nigel and the audience threw "swear" words at the 4 panel members.

Publishing

Poetry publishers - small/independent, no longer main stream.
Need to work together instead of being enemies.
JM had a just story of a bad experience with Macmillan UK. He is extremely funny.
The Carpentaria novel (AW's) was the only book that small publisher released all year! One book!

Making the most of it

If you change one person - you are changing the world

Audio books

Hard for a writer to hear someone else read your work.

Correspondence

Sometimes they are blatantly questions from students
Sometimes complex questions - too long to answer
Lovely handwritten letters are the best.

Critics

Don't read them - well try not too!

How'd you get into writing

JM - in grade 4 set up a class newspaper
Others all influenced in Primary School


Just a wonderful, wonderful weekend!

Librarian Idol

On Friday night I headed down to the Butterfly Club in South Melbourne to see Andrew Finegan in his show Librarian Idol. I meet the rest of the gang first for dinner at the Groove Train, then we headed into the club for a cocktail before the show. Let me just say - the inside of the club was a little eccentric (trust me - you have to go there to know what I am talking about) .

Anyway - Andrew was great. He had us in tears with laughter (though mind you I was laughing quite hard at Jill's laugh). Naturally there were lots of library jokes, stories of the DDC, public libraries, books, dictionary jokes and Harry Potter. A well rounded show. I never realised Andrew could really sing. He did a great job. Fantastic effort and awesome show! Great work.

NLS4 Meetings

The conference is fast approaching and yet again I have trekked up and down that highway for meetings. I have actually struggled to make it down to Melbourne during the week but as NLS4 meetings are on Saturday’s there is no problem making these (except for being tired afterwards!) We had meetings on:
March 25th dinner venue visits and a public holiday for me!
March 29th meeting
April 19th meeting

It will be here before we know it and it looks set to be a wonderful conference.

Book: My Brother's Keeper

I love a bit of true crime. I picked this one up on mooch and read it within 2 days! It’s about a murder in Sydney a few years ago that included the “Bra Boys” a name I had only heard about and included an international world renowned surfer. Just one of those great reads that really suckers you in. I was a bit dubious about some of the things said but hey – it’s true crime – you can’t dispute it!

Book and bookclub: The Don’s

I was also pleased that this was the next book for the group as I have had this book in my shelves for years. It was a nice little book and a quick read too which was good as time was short. It’s about a teenage boy who lives with his mum and grandfather. It centred around him becoming a man and understanding what life’s about and what really matters to us.

Graduation

I also headed up to Wagga for graduation from my Masters on April 10th. Mum and I had a lovely time meandering up the back way and stopping at wineries, cheese factories, chocolate mills, mustards shops, bookshops etc. A taste sensation which I am still enjoying!

Book: The Big Year

I picked this up at a cheap booksale (you know all books $5 each) with thousands to choose from. What a great read. It is a true story about 3 guys from America who are trying for a “Big Year”. They are bird watchers and are aiming to break the current record by finding the bigger number of spieces in northern America. It was a really great read as the three guys were so different to each other. The lengths they went to were amazing (and so god damn expensive). They hired helicopters, boat charters etc. Just extraordinary! I mean I know nothing about birds but it was still a great book.

Book: The Appeal

Just read the latest John Grisham – The Appeal. Not a bad read. He still isn’t back to his best though. The Appeal reminded me a little of that Erin Brokovitch movie. You know big company versus little town. However in this scenario the outcome of the case hinged on an appeal. And that is what the novel was based around. When you appeal the judges make the decision. This novel was basically about buying a judge and the power it can bring. Really interesting from that point of view but I was so disappointed with the ending.

Kevin Hennah

I was lucky enough to go to one of Kevin Hennah sessions in Melbourne (cause my boss was sick). As my library is expanding and getting a makeover it was most timely. Here are my notes from the day (in no particular order):

Sydenham – great photos – nice looking library
Raeco – Library solutions catalogue
Loose the ugly bits
Make the most out of existing resources
Select a colour palate – work with what you cannot change
Create uniformity of style – pull it through
Nice colours: charcoal, ashwood (light pine), karkey
Join/As/Borrow instead of circulation
Don’t need the top shelf
Can mix colours to match logos ie. blue/white/yellow/orange
James Richardson – chairs – in Abbotsford
Presence (the outside)
Layout
Interior design
Signage
Need more signage before you enter the library
Nothing matches ie. furniture, different fonts etc.
Green – no go – very little places to go with
Health Matters – do this fortnightly – Library News
Meet the needs of customers not staff (ie. photocopiers convenient for them, not us)
Welcome to the WR GRIFFITHS LIBRARY (mounted off the outside wall)
Information, ideas, inspiration – your library
Vinyl lettering stuck on glass (Norma’s office)
When you walk in again state name and www.bhslibrary.org.au
Have a solution not just a problem
Sign writer can drop the artwork onto your photos
80% of loans generated by 20% of the collection
New Titles – Returned Today – What’s Hot – doorway openers
Quick choice (little stands on tables) displaydesign.com.au
Use aisle ends – slat wall (asionline) raeco. Qls
You can put books, catalogues (flat screens) etc.
Think about number of slats and their positioning
Signs – all uniform – BHS template – use letterhead
Limejuice.com.au (graphic designer)
In non-fiction have more signs ie. Psychiatry, O&G, Nursing, General Medicine etc. like in Borders
Mei + Picchi
The shop for shops – Fitzroy
Suction caps to hang signs – neat finish – no sticky tape marks

Book and bookclub: Rachel’s Holiday

I was really pleased that this was the next bookgroup book as I have quite a few Marian Keyes books on my shelves but I had just never got around to reading any of them. It was also interesting because of the 10 odd people in my bookclub very few managed to get through the whole thing. Most hated it! I didn’t mind it but it certainly wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read. Rachel was 27, a drug addict (who didn’t know it yet) and was sent to rehab. You got to meet and know all the other characters in rehab etc. but you basically worked through Rachel’s problems. I didn’t mind it as I know a recovery addict very well and it helped me to understand a bit more what they went through and how I could possibly help them. I will give Marian Keyes one more try…

Book: Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe

This was a very quick little read about Danny Wallace who ventured to the town of Wallace in the USA to a little town who claimed that there sewage hole was the centre of the universe. Quick funny read

Leap into leadership

On my extra day in February (the 29th) I headed to the State Library of Victoria for a workshop organised by ALIA Vic and a group of former Aurorians. The workshop was intended to be an experiential introduction to a range of perspectives of leadership.

So did I get much out of it? Yes and no! For me the most beneficial part was listening to a panel of experienced industry leaders. Notes from the leaders:

Craig Anderson

Your skills come from within
Ethics continually bought into practice

Patti Manolis
All experiences are fodder for learning
It’s ok not to know everything – keep learning
Develop confidence
Feel the fear and do it anyway
Leaders say sorry – we are all grown ups – take responsibility!

Janette Wright
Continually learn
To be a leader you need followers
And…you have to have been a follower to be a leader
Mentoring – get one
Mistakes is essential for learning
Ask lots of questions
Listen first then express your viewpoint
Network and build a social support system – ask for help when needed
It’s ok to be vulnerable
Cultivate originality and creativity

So it was a good day – interesting. The bonus was that I then sort of overcame one of my fears by speaking in public. At the very end of the day I gave a spiel about NLS4. I was very nervous but it was a small step for me on my way to becoming a leader.

Uni

Yes – I am going back! Next week I start studying for my MBA through the University of Ballarat (I am definitely a gluten for punishment). I do however feel that an MBA will really help me learn more about the management of organisations and thus will give me a better grounding for my future work in libraries and in a variety of other areas. I am attempting three subjects this year:

Accounting and finance (definitely the scariest – but this should help me at work and for NLS4)
Marketing (should be great for work)
Business economics (2nd semester)

Anyway – wish me luck – I think I will need it!!

NLS4 Meeting

On Saturday I headed down to Melbourne for our first NLS4 meeting of the year. Basically we went through everything we had to do (which is lots) and geared ourselves up for a big year. Great news though is that we have a Gold Sponsor – the State Library of Victoria. Hopefully this is just the first of many. Stay tuned for further updates!

Book: Playing for Pizza

I just read John Grisham’s latest book (but not his law one). This one was a quick read about a has been NFL player who ends up playing in Italy. Typically story of sport, romance and a victorious win by the underdogs. Not bad but I definitely prefer his legal thrillers!

Victorian Library Technician Group Meeting

On Tuesday I headed down to Melbourne with Kim (which is great as we chat all the way). Basically we planned out events for the year with will soon be uploaded on the ALIA website. The usual highly popular events will be run such as Hot of the Press, Techs on Tour, River of Opportunities, plus a few dinner here and there. Looks set to be another big year!

University of Ballarat: Library Technician Orientation

On the Saturday afternoon, UB had their orientation day for the library studies school. I gave a very brief (10 minute) spiel about ALIA, what they can do for students, what the Victorian LT Group does, Technotes (new edition should be up now), e-lists etc. They seemed like an enthusiastic bunch. I feel this is a really good way to connect with the future of the LIS profession – plus I got to wear my ALIA top which rarely sees the light of day

Bookgroup

So I went to the first bookgroup meeting at the Mechanics Institute Library to discuss A Fortunate Life. Everyone enjoyed the novel and all the girls (no boys) seemed really rice. The other great thing (apart from all agreeing that the book was awesome) was that we all discussed other books we had read so we all went away with a list full of “to reads”! Boy that “to read” pile never grows smaller!

VALA

I was extremely lucky to be able to attend a whole day at this year’s VALA Conference. I am a member of Health Libraries Inc and they bought a shared registration to distribute amongst its members. I scored big time by being able to attend for the whole second day – the Wednesday. Here are my notes:

Schubert Foo – National Library of Singapore

Think of the library as an information concierge.

Brick vs Click (Physical vs Online)

He discussed that Singapore library users are very similar to ours in that they want access now without having to do all the steps in between. Instant access is taken for granted – if its not on the net it doesn’t exist for them. Therefore they are trying to delve into the spaces of their users to connect them to resources that users need for whatever purpose, in any format – anywhere!

Bookjetty.com (similar to Amazon??) But instead of having the option to buy the book you can see holdings from libraries and link users back to the library webpage). This all revolves around inter-connectivity which the library can provide through many of the Web 2.0 technologies.

They also do things like make their physical exhibitions virtual so that they can be enjoyed for many more years to come, once the physical exhibit has changed.

SMS Reference Service (Singaporean’s are very tech savvy).

Reference point – so much info sent in regards to a query. Books, journals, pay peer view, tailor made (like look at Chapter 7), where to find the book in the library etc. Then you evaluate the service and the queries are stored and can be re-used and histories are kept.

Google – like in maps they have information that is connected from the National Library. (Like run you cursor over a statue in town and info box from library pops up). Just another way they are connecting with users and bringing them back to the library via the online world.

Vendor Presentations

I was there for the vendor presentations and attended the following. All were interesting, many irrelevant to my workplace but was also going to comment on how great the trade exhibition was. Awesome, lots of freebies, so many different vendors – just great!

Ovid SP – Brief overview of the new system.
ProQuest – Newspapers overview (free two month trials available).
Softlink – Online e-reference system. LMS looked great with ILL forms, Lit search
forms and Chat embedded. Lots of customisation options.
E-book Library – Great demand driven option (but how $). Swinburne uses this model.
Oxford – Language dictionaries online. Oxford Reference Online available through the Electronic Resources Australia Consortium.
DA – Portable reader/writer ILIAD.

Many vendors mentioned that they can collaborate with COUNTER – the statistical package.

Concurrent Sessions

Garry Hall

Clinician’s knowledge network (QLD’s CHC). CKN also run by HCN.

Other states:
CIAP (NSW) EPOCH (Tas) CROC (NT)
HIAP (ACT) SALUS (SA) CIAO (WA)

CKN has Up-to-date. Total cost is $3.5million per year which work out to be 90cents per head of population. Single licenses for institutions for other databases can also be run through the CKN page.

Important to remember the QLD Health is very different to what we have here in Victoria. Public Hospitals are more centrally run. The libraries across the state use a shared drive to store training materials.

They are also involved with QULOC and other collaborations to maximise CKN. Additional products that they are looking at introducing include PEMSOFT and Map of Medicine. They also trial other products.

Like CHC it is an established an integral resource.

Barbara Kirkham

WRMS: Work Request Management System

Allows the SLQ to track a request through all the stages of its life span. The system connects with reports, statistics, email, word document templates and archives requests. A single integrated system for all departments across the library which also calculates the total time it has taken to complete a request.

It enhances the organisations ability to log and track requests. There is also a 12 hour time limit per month per client.

Heather Jenks

E-resources grew but full text downloads decreased? Why?

They used EnCompass (a federated search engine) then the tool was withdrawn as it ceased vendor support.

So, they used Google Scholar as the federated search engine. Full text downloads rapidly decreased as Google Scholar does not have all publisher and aggregators information available (ie. no commercial publishers). The library catalogue also wasn’t available to search so stats went down.

Then they instigated a new federated search engine (or multi-search as they call it) called 360 search. Stats have once again sky rocketed.

Just interesting to compare stats whilst using a freely available tool compared to properly integrating one and tailoring it to your system and libraries resources.

Michael Geist – Canada

Internet 2008…

We still grapple with the same issues after 10 years (filtering, policies, offensive content etc.)

Technorati – a blog search engine (over 100,000,000 blogs)

The power of people. Like Facebook where a group formed opposing Canadian Copyright Law. The policy was reviewed due to the 40,000 members complaining, sending letters etc.

Podcasting lectures – which not only allows students who missed a lecture to catch up but is attracting new students to Universities because they can hear what they are in for before they arrive and are choosing particular universities over others because they like the lectures presented.

Postsecret (blog) – A blog where you can tell your secret to the world through art. 250,000 posts in 2 years. Since then, books and art shows have arisen all from this one blog!

Videos (like Star Wreck) freely available to download, but then as it was so good, people bought DVD, merchandise and the license was sold.

You tube – like the professional season of “Lonelygirl” and the power it provided. Bigger ratings than TV.

Find it! Rip it! Mix it! Share it! Come and get it!

Flickr – with creative commons (also look up general creative commons website)

Books freely available under “cc” – like his book! In the interest: future of Canadian Copyright Law. But people read it, then want it so buy it. Then they buy other books by same publishers etc…

Encyclopaedia of life: cataloguing all life forms (10 years project – 9 years left.)

Librivix – Audio version of Project Guttenberg. Volunteers read these books and upload the audio.

MITOpenCourseWare – course notes, syllabus, podcasts, videocasts, powerpoints etc.

Digitisation projects (like Project Guttenberg, Google Book Search, Alouette?)

Open Source Software (like Firefox, Apache etc.)

All these enable creativity…..

Internet 2018…

Four pillars….

1. Access/connectivity: Broadband for all, muni wifi. Spyware, net neutrality, spam. We must ensure that we all have access and the ability to participate, all in an equal fashion.

2. Enhance participation: transparency, trust, privacy, domain names, intermediary liability issues (like he is getting sued for something someone wrote on his blog about someone else!)

3. Copyright: Anti-circumvention, fait use, term extension, orphan works, wipo.

4.Content: Open access, digitisation, crown copyright, public broadcasting.

The future of the internet….is in our hands!

WOW! Awesome speaker, so much more to find out about!

Beyond the Hype - Saturday day

As it was the weekend Sharon drove us in (which was awesome as we had our luggage) so we parked over the river, had a coffee for breakfast and ambled over to day two of the symposium.

Sherman Young

The book is dead: long live the book (by Sherman Young)

Web 1.0 – Connectivity
Web 2.0 – Creativity
Web 3.0 – Collecting (Semantic web – will do the work for us)

Hardly any notes but he was an awesome speaker!

Concurrent Session 1

I chaired the following three sessions so basically took no notes! All talks were interesting though!

Mylee

The other speaker (not present) went to the USA on the VALA scholarship and visited libraries over there to see how they implement their Web/Learning 2.0 programs before they developed one for the State Library of NSW.

Jennifer

LinkIn – like Facebook for businesses.

Bernie

Gartner Hype Curve

Concurrent Session 2

Kathryn

You Tube: blip.tv, viddler, teachertube, godtube

Flickr: zoomer, picasa, photobucket

Delicious: magnolia, connotea, citeulike

Facebook: myspace, bebo, xanga, friendstar, ning

Digg (news): reddit, perthnorg, su?

Others to consider: Slideshare and Library Thing

Kate

Focus on the need first and the tool second.
Daily book review via RSS.
Overdrive (online e-book thing)

That’s it! It was a good conference. I originally thought it was going to be a bit different (with more workshops) but all in all I enjoyed it. I didn’t take a great deal back to my workplace to implement but I learnt some news things – now I just have to find the time to have a look at them.

So Tan, Jill and I caught a taxi to the airport, had some dinner, then jumped on a flight back to Melbourne. We had another mini hen’s night on the plane and the crew gave us champagne! Thanks everyone for a great time!

Beyond the Hype - Friday night

After the first day we went to the ALIA Fellowship presentation to Gillian Hallam – and boy - what a deserving applicant. Then we headed over the river to Southbank for dinner (about 20 of us). It was great to meet some other delegates (how funny is Fiona!) and to catch up with the ever so lovely Rach (who is such a star). Anyway, at Southbank they have a night market so we had wandered through that on the way to dinner and I saw the “fake tattoo” stand but it was busy… As we left dinner back through the market to get Cold Rock (yummy) the tattoo stand was empty. So I quickly ran up and got a butterfly on my lower back, then made Tan get one to. And then the rest of the crowd followed with either butterflies or barcodes – which were the most librarish tattoo available. What a laugh! Such an awesome bunch of people! Check out the photos!!

Beyond the Hype - Friday day

Anyway, on the Thursday morning we were up early (and I mean early – they don’t have day light savings – it was like bright daylight at 6:00am). We dropped Anaki off and caught the train into the city – that’s when the humidity hit me! Anyway, we finally got to QUT, registered etc. and breathed a sigh of air conditioned relief! Here are my notes from the first days session:

Christine MacKenzie

She discussed Library Web 2.0 Activities like:

Finding information/Enabling learning/Creating content/Celebrating culture

And that the library can become the “third place” – a place where you are not at home, and not at work. The library can become the community loungeroom. The library needs to be user centered with multimedia exposure and experience, socially rich and a place that communicates innovation. All part of the natural extension of the patron experience.

So we must:
Learn to learn
Adapt to change
Scan the horizon

Keith Webster

He mentioned a website called “Rate my Professors” – look it up to see what has been said about my previous (and future ones)!

They use “Encore” a search engine with the library catalogue, databases, news items, tags, student tags, reviews, ratings (student interaction) etc. This allows students to get to the licensed products which Google doesn’t allow (similar to VALA talk).

Katy Watson

Are services being driven by demand? Or it is just hype? Are we just following trends?

So monitor trends vs implementing trends? Add when deemed a required service. What % warrants action??

Just because technology is available doesn’t mean you are welcome in their “social” spaces (like Facebook).

This talk was great as in my workplace there is very little hype about Web 2.0. I mean I hear and read about it all the time but most of it is irrelevant and pointless in my workplace. Great to have this talk as it was more cautious to new technologies.

Brad Jones

By using certain websites advertisers bombard use. It’s not “My Space” it’s “Rupert Murdoch’s Space”!! There is so much to learn (many more than 23 things) so it can be very daunting.

We have no control over certain things that are IT related:
Many can only use Microsoft and Adobe
Filters and blocking
Censorship of certain sites
IT blocking technologies

So think of your users – many cannot get to all these services that you are providing.

Luisa Rossitto

Made You Tube video for library orientation. Used simply tools that are easily available such as:
Digital camera
Move maker
Microsoft Paint
Audacity

Really coil little video clip. Inventive. She also mentioned Infotubey?? Which are You Tube awards for library clips.

EBLIP

They discussed evidence based librarianship and the five principles behind it:
Ask a question
Acquire the evidence
Appraise the evidence
Apply the evidence
Assess impact and performance (and report findings)

Continually gather evidence along the way (but don’t necessarily implement this evidence).

Workshop

I attended the Flickr, Slideshare, You Tube and Podcasting workshop.

They started with Flickr and Slideshare (which I already use and know lots about), then we basically run out of time for You Tube and Podcasting which is why I choose this workshop! Anyway they gave out a big workbook so (one day) I will work through that!

Beyond the Hype - Thursday night

On January 31st, Tan, Jill and I headed to a very sunny (and far too hot) Brisbane for the two day ALIA Beyond the Hype Symposium. We headed up on the Thursday night and had a little “hen’s party” on the plane for Tan who is getting married in a couple of weeks time. When we arrived Jill headed off to stay with a friend and Tan and I were picked up by the ever so lovely Sharon! We crashed on her lounge room floor for a couple of nights (right in front of the air con) and we had a lovely time catching up with her and her family (Thanks for having us Sharon!).

Book: Escape

So after a trashy book I moved on to a more in-depth one. I saw this one on Oprah (yes – tragic). But what a read. This is a story about Carolyn who was born into a polygamist community. A religious cult known as the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints, a 10,000-strong community living in Arizona, USA. At 18 she was married to a 52 year old man and she became his fourth wife. What a riveting and very sad read. After 16 years of abuse she fled the community with her eight children. I mean, I can’t really explain it except that I highly recommend it. Again it makes you look at your life and shows you how good we actually have it! I have nothing to complain about!

Book: Book Lover

So after a pretty intense read of A Fortunate Life, I need some trash! Book Lover was just this! It was about a girl who whenever she gets depressed goes on “book reading binges”. Typical romance where girl meets boy (at local bookshop) etc. etc. I loved the following paragraph:

I collect new books the way my girlfriends buy designer handbags. Sometimes, I just like to know I have them and actually reading them is besides the point. Not that I don’t eventually end up reading them one by one. I do. But the mere act of buying them makes me happy – the world is more promising, fulfilling. It’s hard to explain, but I feel, somehow, more optimistic. The whole act just cheers me up.

Now that is quite similar to me (except I buy second hand, garage sale, market and Bookmooch books!) What is it about books that are just so mesmerising?? Anyway, the book was pretty average but just what I needed!

Book: A Fortunate Life

WOW! What a book. I only read this book for one reason – book group. I have joined a book group at the local mechanics institute and the first meeting is on Saturday. I got to select books that sounded interesting to me, and for the whole year only one of the ones I choose was selected!! Anyhow, this wasn’t one of them. I would never have selected it as it discusses a guy who goes to WW1. War stuff just doesn’t engage me. But boy am I glad I joined book group or I would never has been taken out of my comfort zone!

This book tells the story of Albert Facey who was born in the 1890’s. It is a biography of his life and how he grew up as a farmer, drover, soldier, union man, chook farmer, tram driver and much more. Just such an inspirational read with a real insight into life in Australia. I mean we just take so much for granted. I never had grandparents who told ‘tales’ so I felt like he was my granddad. Just a remarkable read – highly recommended!

Book: The Terminal Man

I just read The Terminal Man by Sir Alfred Mehran. It is a true story about a guy who has been living in the terminal of a french Airport for 16 years. The Tom Hanks movie The Terminal was based on his story. It is a easy to read account of his life leading up to arriving at the airport, as well as the various accounts of him trying to leave and obtain citizenship in various locations. However when he has the chance to become free (some 11 years later) he instead chooses to stay at the airport. So in some ways I feel sorry for him but in others I think that he isn't helping himself! Interesting read though!

Book: Pomegranate Soup

I finished this one on the weekend - what a magical book. So beautifully written. It's a fictional story about three Iranian sisters who move to a small Irish town after spending 7 years in London after fleeing Tehran in the late 70's. Just a lovely story about fitting into the town, opening a cafe (with lots of mouthwatering recipes) and trying to put the past behind them. It has been so well received that the sequel is due out in May - can't wait!

Book: Sickened

I just read Sickened by Julie Gregory. It was a biography of her life with Munchausen By Proxy (MBP) disease. Basically her mother used to make her ill and take her to the doctors - continuously! I mean she went hundreds and hundreds of times. This book chronicles her life and her discovery of MBP when she was in her mid twenties - a riveting but very sad read. I mean I complain about life but in reality I have nothing to complain about compared to others. I just can't imagine a mother wanting her child to be sick (to gain attention themselves). Very sad...

Book: Faces

I love Martina Cole as an author. I mean sure you know how the story is going to go and you can predict the ending from the very beginning but I still love her work. Faces saw Danny Boy become the biggest "face" of London crime in the 80's. With his trusty sidekick Michael they owned the scene. But then Danny Boy's ego (and temper) got too big... loved it!!

This was my Christmas read - I stayed up last in the tent with a torch finishing it off!