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May 2003 LibraryNet Monthly TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. LIBRARY ARTICLES IN MAY ISSUE OF FIRST MONDAYThe May 8 issue of First Monday, the peer reviewed online journal of the Internet, contains several articles of interest to librarians and information workers. "What is a library anymore, anyway?" by Michael A. Keller, Victoria A. Reich, and Andrew C. Herkovic, argues that local control of collections is critical to assure permanence. Failure to do so will cause libraries and librarians to lose relevance and value as the Internet and other digital resources continue to develop. Librarians need new tools to enable both persistence and selection of electronic information; one such tool, the LOCKSS system, is described. "Issues in sustainability: Creating value for online users" by Abby Smith is based on a talk given at the 2003 IMLS Web Wise Conference. It addresses two issues related to the long term sustainability of online collections created by museums, libraries, and other heritage institutions: building collections that fit with the core mission of the institution, and that are likely to win support among its users; and the process of planning and building them. Smith also describes a pilot project to assess the business planning processes used by museums and libraries and offer models to follow. When it was first launched in November 2002, the International Children's Digital Library (ICDL) attracted major media and professional interest. The mission of this five year research project is to enable children to access and read an international collection of children's books through the development of new interface technologies. ICDL staff have written a paper introducing the project and analyzing the initial results of the first seven weeks of its public Internet presence. To read the full text of these and other articles: 2. UK LIBRARY AND DIGITAL DIVIDE NEWSThe British Office of the e Envoy launched its latest bid to get more citizens using the Internet this month. The new "Get Started" initiative aims to encourage the thirty eight per cent of adults across the country (many retired, living in poverty or single parents) who have never been online before. Free Internet starter sessions will be available at any UK Online centre during May and June 2003. New users will get a chance to learn the basics about computers and the Internet, access the web, set up an email address and find out more about the opportunities the Internet could offer them and their families. Many of the more than 6000 UK Online centres are in public libraries. For more information: The first of a series of articles on the future of UK public libraries appeared in the March/April issue of Ariadne. Penny Garrod begins by looking at the questions arising from the recent "Framework for the Future" report. In the next article, innovative digital services from British libraries will be highlighted. To read the full text of the article: 3. QUEBEC TEENS AND THE INTERNETA recent survey of Quebec teenagers found that 99% of them had used the Internet at least once during the previous six months, and 88% had gone online during the past week. The most popular things for teens to do on the Internet were: search for information (78% of teens did so), exchange email (78%), listen to or download music (70%), and use online chat services (66%). The NetAdos survey was commissioned by CEFRIO and conducted by Léger Marketing. CEFRIO conducts research on issues that affect the Quebec economy, both private and public, in partnership with its members (universities, industry, and government). Another recent CEFRIO survey found that one in ten adults in Quebec has accessed the Internet from a public library in the past year; the percentages were highest in Montreal and Quebec City. For more information: 4. NEW AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN INFORMATION SCIENCESOn May 8, the inaugural winner of the Pfizer Canada Award of Excellence in Information Sciences was announced: Dominique Charbonneau, a graduate of the Master's program at the Montreal École de bibliothéconomie et des sciences de l'information (EBSI). The Award consists of an annual $25,000 grant towards an eight month training program in Pfizer Canada's corporate library. For more information: 5. RURAL WOMEN AND TECHNOLOGYThe Final Report of the British Columbia Rural Women's Project was released last month. The project researched rural women's access to communication technology and experiences of poverty. Poverty in rural communities posed additional barriers to access to communication technology, barriers that included cost of living, lack of transportation, and childcare services. Further, high costs associated with basic telephone service, long distance rates between neighbouring communities, and the removal of government services and support programs compounded the isolation. More than a hundred women living in rural and remote communities in B.C. participated in the project in a variety of ways including community dialogues, phone interviews, and mailed or faxed in questionnaires. The project was funded by Status of Women Canada and the Canadian Rural Partnership. To download the full report (in RTF format): 6. YOUTH TRAINERS TRANSFORMING LIVESThe Dragonfly Project is a co operative venture of the Haines Borough Public Library (Alaska) and the Chilkoot Indian Association tribal government to bring youth into the library as technology mentors to other users. Youth from ages 11 to 21 are the teachers, sharing their computer skills with the Chilkoot community and the general public by becoming technological mentors. "They learn how to use the library's technology and resources, develop materials and techniques to teach concepts and skills, do community outreach, and work one on one with a wide variety of people." The project name comes from the fact that in Tlingit mythology, dragonflies are symbols of transformation and thought to be vehicles of the human soul. The library hopes that " by helping young people teach adults the ways of computer technology, lives will be transformed." Curricula and exercises that the young mentors have developed for a variety of software programs are also available on the Library's website. The project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). For more information: 7. CANADA’S E-GOVERNMENT RANKED FIRST FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEARFor the third consecutive year, Canada’s government was ranked as the best in the world for online service delivery. Accenture's fourth annual global study, "eGovernment Leadership: Engaging the Customer," also cites Canada as the first and only country to reach the next level of e-government: service transformation. The study says that the Canadian e government initiative is differentiated by its customer service vision, its cross departmental approach, and its integrated approach to offering services through multiple delivery channels. For more information, or to request a copy of the full report: 8. LIBRARIES STILL USEFUL, EVEN ACCORDING TO PC MAGAZINEThe May 27, 2003 issue of PC Magazine has a cover story on web searching, "How to Find Anything Online," which reviews the major search engines and offers tips on using them effectively. The article qualifies the confident title by stating that "many people think that their search engine can find any piece of electronic information. This isn't true." The article also states that "library reference departments are still great sources of information" and reminds computer users that most libraries offer access to databases that are "created by well known publishers and... evaluated carefully by librarians." To read the full text of the article: 9. TRENDS IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE WEB AND METADATAResearchers at OCLC published a study in the April issue of D-Lib Magazine, "Trends in the Evolution of the Public Web 1998-2002," which analyzes recent developments in the growth and composition of the Internet. Several interesting conclusions were reached. First of all, growth in the number of websites has reached a plateau; in fact, it actually decreased slightly last year. Globalization of the public web is still a myth, as web content is dominated by English language content originating in the U.S. There is little or no sign that this dominance may be shifting. As well, there is little if any progress towards adoption of formal metadata schemes for public Internet resources. To read the full text of the article: Another recent article, this one from the April issue of Information Research, goes into further detail about how and why metadata may not be appropriate for the public or "open" Internet. "Web search: how the Web has changed information retrieval" claims that since webpages are both transient and volatile they are poor hosts for topical metadata. The "closed" web (community or controlled sites) is considered to be a more appropriate environment for the use of metadata. The article also challenges the application of old information retrieval concepts and methods to the new format of the Internet. To read the full text of the article: 10. LIBRARY OF THE FUTURE AWARD WINNERThe North Carolina State University (NCSU) Libraries are the 2003 recipient of the American Library Association (ALA)/Information Today Library of the Future Award. The award honours innovative planning for, applications of, or development of patron information technology training programs in a library setting. NCSU Libraries won for its Library Online Basic Orientation (LOBO) program, an introduction to library research tutorial. Used primarily with first year students in freshman composition classes, the tutorial includes modules covering each step students go through as they search for information for research papers. Students can work on LOBO anywhere with Internet access, and receive live online help from an NCSU librarian. LOBO was developed through a partnership between librarians and freshman composition instructors. The award, which comes with a prize of US$1500, will be presented on June 24, during the ALA/CLA joint Annual Conference in Toronto. To view LOBO: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/lobo2/ For more information:
http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News&template=/ContentManagement/ 11. VIRUS PUSHES HONG KONG SCHOOLS TO GO VIRTUALSARS forced schools in Hong Kong to close their doors in March and April, but classes did not go out of session. Thanks to virtual classroom technology, teachers and students in China continued to interact over the Internet. From their homes, students were able to watch their teachers live via webcam and use instant messaging technology to make comments or ask questions. While online learning has become a popular tool for adult and continuing education in North America, this may well mark the first instance in which an emergency or social breakdown has forced its use. Fortunately, educators estimated that more than 70 percent of the students in Hong Kong have computer and Internet access at home. Hong Kong Education City Limited, a government funded entity that was already providing web based training, offered free use of its virtual classrooms. Macromedia also allowed its Flash Communications Server and ColdFusion software to be used without charge. While some schools and universities have now re-opened, there may still be an opportunity for virtual learning in offering the remedial and make up classes that will be necessary. For more information: 12. OLDER PEOPLE, NEW TECHNOLOGY, AND E-GOVERNMENTThe Hansard Society has published a new report entitled "Past the Post: Older People and New Technology" which draws on research investigating what could be learned about the impact of new technology on the participation of older people in political dialogue. The people taking part represented a full range of experience, from "technophobes" to older learners who were familiar not only with the practical side of computer use, but also the underlying theory. The participants themselves pointed out that, for designating a social group, age was a less useful factor than mobility, or being a user of particular services. Some of the report findings:
The study also points out that "using computers happens long before understanding them, so 'stealth familiarisation', then continual and repeated support and time are needed before someone can usefully progress as a confident computer user." The report recommends that "future policy should work closely with groups at the local level who have already developed trusted relationships with older people... this will help to ensure that voices such as those in Seniorspeak are listened to, and that we learn from, rather than marginalise, the experiences of older people." The Hansard Society is an independent, non partisan educational charity which exists to promote effective parliamentary democracy in the United Kingdom. The report was based on online and in person interviews conducted with older people last summer. To read the executive summary of the report: 13. NEW NOVA SCOTIA INTERNET SERVICESDuring March, the Western Counties Regional Library (WCRL) began promoting its "Library Express" services throughout Yarmouth, Shelburne, and Digby counties by distributing brochures door to door. The campaign’s slogan is "Your library, your time, your way". Library Express, which provides online borrowers virtually the same services they would receive by coming into a library branch, was launched a year ago in the spring of 2002. The program allows patrons to register online for a library card number and password, which they can immediately use to request books from the WCRL's online catalogue. The books are then mailed to the patron's home with a postage paid return label attached. Although designed to be used via the Internet, Library Express can also be accessed over the telephone. Usage of the web site has increased by 30 per cent, and the numbers are expected to continue growing with the distribution of the brochure. For more information: http://www.westerncounties.ca/main/index.php?pagecontentid=218&demoid=1&=SID Meanwhile, Halifax Regional Library (HRL) is offering an opportunity for non profit groups that need a way to provide IT training to their staff. Its three Information Technology Learning Centres are available free of charge to non profits. The three computer labs provide an environment for teaching everything from basic computer and job search skills, to how to use email and the Internet. The facilities and training services are also available for non profits to use for developing websites and creating newsletters. HRL’s "Homework Help" pilot program, which has been in place since fall 2002, has proved to be a popular service with Halifax area children. The program, which provides helpful links and reference service over the Internet, received more than 100 questions in the month of February alone! HRL staff are continuing to develop the pilot. For more information: 14. ALBERTA SUPERNET ON TRACK FOR 2004 COMPLETIONThe Alberta SuperNet is on track to meet the final completion date of mid 2004. A process for resolving a dispute between Bell West and Axia SuperNet has been agreed to, which will enable the building of the SuperNet project to proceed while the dispute resolution takes place. Axia SuperNet was originally subcontracted to operate the entire network and provide network design services for SuperNet. However, Axia has agreed to relinquish its rights in order to allow the project to proceed unimpeded. An updated project schedule is being prepared by Bell West for approval by the provincial government and the entire network should be completed by mid 2004, as originally planned. The SuperNet is a provincial government initiative to build a broadband network linking thousands of libraries, schools, hospitals, and provincial government offices in 422 communities across Alberta. In addition, commercial service providers in areas which currently do not have high speed connectivity options will be able to "piggyback" onto the SuperNet, bringing competitive broadband services to most Alberta businesses and residences. The first segment of the SuperNet, serving communities between Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer, has been in place since fall 2002. For more information: 15. RURAL PUBLIC LIBRARY TRIES ONLINE COMMERCELast month, the Woodland Public Library in California opened an Internet shopping mall intended to help offset statewide budget cuts. The venture, called "Shop for the Library," features more than 200 merchants, including popular websites such as Amazon.com, e Bay, and Expedia. Every purchase initiated through the Shop for the Library website generates a commission for the Library. "We have a clear choice in this economy - cut back or fight back," says library director Marie Bryan. "We're fighting." Online merchants agreed to give the library a percentage (between 2 and 55 percent) of all sales referred from the website. Prices are the same whether purchasers go through Shop for the Library or directly to the merchant's website. Bryan is particularly hopeful about the fundraising potential of the library's own online boutique, which offers cards, posters, and apparel based on images from local history archives. The library's collection was created through Zazzle.com, an online service where anyone can upload jpeg format images (subject to copyright restrictions), and use them to create gift items. Other American libraries selling merchandise through Zazzle.com include the California History Collection of the California State Library and UC Berkeley's Bancroft Library. Here in Canada, the Winnipeg Library Foundation launched a similar online shopping effort two years ago to help support the proposed "Millenium Library" expansion. For more information: 16. NEW KIDSAFE WEB PORTAL DESIGNED FOR LIBRARIESIn March, Canadian company Northern Blue Publishing launched its KidLib Library Portal Service for public and school libraries. KidLib is a software tool and content service that gives libraries or schools full control over what they provide on their Internet terminals. The system lets students work inside a limited database of secure websites, but does not allow access to outside sites, including public email, instant messaging, or chat areas. The company claims that KidLib gives children a richer search experience than the big search engines, since it returns a higher quality of relevant hits. Premium subscribers can customize the software by adding their own Internet resources to the database, and by displaying the library or school's own logo. For more information: 17. OTTAWA LIBRARY BOARD DECIDES ON FILTERSOn April 30, two weeks after the Ottawa Public Library Board first voted against the installation of filtering software on public Internet access computers, trustees reversed themselves and voted 11–1 that patrons under 17 be required to use filtered machines unless their parents choose otherwise. The policy change was hailed by some board members. OPL Director Barbara Clubb was quoted as saying, "They listened to the community and this is their response. From that perspective that's a really good reason to make a change." Clubb had previously urged trustees to approve a smart card system that would prevent youngsters without parental approval from having unfettered Internet sessions at the library. She predicted that the system's 280 computers could be outfitted with the card technology by the end of June, at a cost of approximately $20,000. "This board has listened to the overwhelming input from the public and I'm glad we will be providing filter protection for children using the Internet," Board Chair Rick Chiarelli told the Citizen. For several weeks, the issue of whether minors were being exposed to sexually explicit websites has been fodder for sensationalist headlines in Ottawa and across Canada. The issue was originally sparked by a (so far unresolved) union grievance involving library staff represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. For more information: 18. CALL FOR PAPERSThe new Journal of Digital Information Management (JDIM) is calling for original submissions for its June 2003 and September 2003 issues. JDIM addresses the following areas: e content management; web publishing; digital information archiving; information architecture and taxonomy; digital libraries; and many more. Submissions should include new and creative approaches in information management, or visions that present new viewpoints and challenges. For more information: 19. CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTDigital Resources for the Humanities This annual conference is a major forum for all those involved in, or affected by, the digitization of our cultural heritage: scholars, teachers, publishers, computer or information scientists, and librarians or archivists; anyone wishing to improve both access to and conservation of the digital information that characterizes contemporary culture and scholarship. For more information or to register: 20. CONTINUING EDUCATIONWorkshops in Humanities Computing In response to local needs for training in areas key to computing in the Arts and Humanities, the University of Victoria and Malaspina University College are offering a series of interrelated workshops focusing on digitization, text encoding, multimedia, and text analysis tools. For more information or to register: Online Lyceum Summer Courses Effective Decision Making Designing for the Web The Online Lyceum provides affordable and innovative web based professional development opportunities that support libraries by assisting them to address management and technology challenges and develop staff talents and skills. The Lyceum is a collaborative partnership between the Association of Research Libraries and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. For more information or to register: 21. USEFUL INTERNET RESOURCESODLIS: Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science Exchanging Jobs Peninsuleacadienne.ca Best of Reference 2003 Braintrack Archival Databases from the National Archives and Record Administration OLA 2003 Presentations EnrichUK Images Online Best Of Project Gutenberg NewsisFree If
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