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Welcome to the June 2009 edition of aliaPUBNEWS.

aliaPUBNEWS is an initiative of the Australian Library and Information Association's Public Libraries Advisory Committee http://www.alia.org.au/governance/committees/public.libraries/

aliaPUBNEWS is a free monthly electronic bulletin for those concerned with supporting and promoting the further development of Australia's public library services. aliaPUBNEWS spans the policy and strategic issues and service developments having an impact on public libraries in Australia. All our list members are encouraged to send in their comments to 'Feedback' at the end of this newsletter.
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In this aliaPUBNEWS broadcast:


NEWS FROM ALIA STATE NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES WEB RESOURCES
NEWS FROM ALIA

ALIA Public Libraries Summit 2009 – submissions

We have received 21 submissions on a range of issues relating to public libraries. Thank you to the contributors. Read the submissions for an excellent overview of Australian public library issues and initiatives. The Summit draft program is also now available.

http://www.alia.org.au/governance/committees/public.libraries/summit09/submissions.html

The little book of public libraries

As part of the Summit, ALIA has produced a colourful and lively little book that is a quick, simple summary of why libraries are so important, giving library supporters the words and ideas they need to champion our cause. Sample pages are on the Summit webpage. Send in your order as soon as possible.

http://www.alia.org.au/governance/committees/public.libraries/summit09/

New ALIA public libraries webpage

We have developed a new public libraries webpage that brings together all the ALIA services, activities, policy and strategic issues for public libraries.

http://www.alia.org.au/publiclibraries/

Membership renewals

ALIA's membership renewals will be sent out in early June. Once you have received your renewal notice, you can choose to renew online, via B-pay, ph 1800 020 071, fax 02 6282 2249, or by post. Direct debit payment is also available. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us in membership. membership@alia.org.au

First public library ambassadors announced

ALIA has announced the appointment of the nation's first two Public Library Ambassadors: Barry Heard, the award-winning Australian author, and Bruce Miller, one of New South Wales' most active local government leaders. It is a strong beginning for ALIA's national Public Library Ambassadors campaign. By seeking out high profile champions for the role of libraries in the community, ALIA aims to influence public opinion about this vital service and keep libraries at the forefront of discussions about community, resources, education, services, and funding.

http://www.alia.org.au/governance/committees/public.libraries/summit09/public.library.ambassadors.html

ALIA fighting for cheaper books for Australians

The joint submission from ALIA, ADA (Australian Digital Alliance) and ALCC (Australian Libraries Copyright Committee) to the study of Copyright Restrictions on the Parallel Importation of Books, strongly supports removal of the restrictions upon parallel importation of books. We believe greater competition will lead to an increase in the variety of books available and more competitively priced books, increasing their accessibility for Australians. ALIA's position aligns with ALIA's first object: To promote the free flow of information and ideas in the interest of all Australians and a thriving culture, economy and democracy. http://www.alia.org.au/advocacy/submissions/productivity.commission.html

Library Technician course recognition 2009

During the next few months ALIA Course Recognition panels will be visiting TAFE and RTO sites around the country. This is the first time in 10 years that a site visit has been incorporated into the Library Technician/Diploma of Library Information Services Course Recognition. Course Recognition process ensures the standards of curriculum, teaching, and resources for current and future students. The final report on the site visits will be presented to the Education and PD Standing Committee and the ALIA Board later this year at the conclusion of all the visits.

http://www.alia.org.au/education/courses/recognition.html

STATE

Historic map digitisation – NSW

The State Library of New South Wales has digitised several historic map series of Sydney, and they are available through the Library Catalogue.

The most significant of these is the Sydney Metropolitan Detail Series http://library.sl.nsw.gov.au/record=b2281363 , a series of Lands Department maps covering Sydney and its inner suburbs from the 1880s to the 1910s. This is a fascinating source of information for local history, land use and urban studies, as these maps show the outlines of buildings and they help researchers to understand the historical development of Sydney and suburbs. Key maps and the entire series (over 700 sheets) can be viewed online at http://tinyurl.com/sydneyandsuburbs

Also digitised are the following series:

  • Fire & Accident Underwriters Association's Block Plan City of Sydney, 1919-1940
  • The Lands Department's Parramatta Detail Series of 1895
  • The Lands Department's Municipality Map Series, 1917-1957
You might also be interested to know that the City of Sydney Archives recently made its collection of Sydney maps and atlases accessible online.

The Historical Atlas of Sydney (aka City of Sydney Map Collection) appears on the City of Sydney Archives' Catalogues and Search Tools page http://tinyurl.com/cityofsydney

Follow the link to an externally hosted site http://www2.photosau.com/CosMaps/scripts/home.asp and you will find several significant resources relating to the CBD and to the inner suburbs that are now part of the City of Sydney Council:

  • Trigonometrical Survey of Sydney, 1855-1865;
  • H. Percy Dove's Plans of Sydney, 1880;
  • Atlas of the Suburbs of Sydney, ca 1885;
  • Rygate & West's Plans of Sydney, 1887;
  • Fire Underwriters' Plans of Sydney, ca 1917-1939;
  • City Building Surveyor's Details Sheets, ca 1956.
Each resource has its own drop-down menu. Click on the first item for each, and you will find an index map for that series. You can download the map, magnify sections and save images into documents. The copyright notification clearly states that 'Permission is granted to download material from this web site for personal and professional use and for study purposes.'

Library lends meters

As well as lending books, libraries in central Sydney have started lending devices that give households a reading of their carbon footprint. The "powermate" is a hand-held meter that plugs into plasma televisions, fridges, air conditioners and other appliances, measuring how much electricity they use and translating that into carbon emissions. Members of eight libraries run by the City of Sydney were able to borrow the meters under a program the council ran for Earth Hour on the 28 March.

http://tinyurl.com/powermeters

Biblio Tourismo 4

It is time to heed the call and make plans for Biblio Turismo 4 - The "Bat Out Of Hell Tour". The most exiting public library activity of the year where 'Library Bikers' visit rural public libraries, share goodwill, break bread and provide opportunity for publicising libraries in a positive and unusual way. All previous tours have been a great success with feedback from as far away as New York.

Biblio Toursimo departs from Gosford, NSW (Central Coast) on the 5 November 2009 and heads to Katoomba in the beautiful Blue Mountains the long way round via Mudgee, Parkes and Blayney.

Anyone wishing to participate can do so by motorbike or by car. If you are interested in taking part please contact Alan Flores via email: Alan.flores@gosford.nsw.gov.au

Library versus that search engine

Sydney's Mosman Library's online reference pitted itself against what can be found from the search box on the World Wide Web during Library and Information Week! Each day during Library and Information Week the library posted a question that represents the range of queries normally received by the library.

Who do you think came out on top in the challenge? Find out the winner by visiting: http://mosmanlibraryblogs.com/challenge/

And find out more about the challenge at: http://mosmanlibraryblogs.com/challenge/about

NATIONAL

Computer recycling and refurbishing in Australia

Looking for a list of computer recyclers and/or refurbishers in Australia? There are a number of companies that recycle, refurbish or reuse computers in your state or territory.

To find out what's available in your area visit: http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/

Example Search: http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/computers/FremantleWA

Single Business Discovery Service

The National Library has just announced that the first prototype of its new Single Business Discovery Service is available for comment by key stakeholders so please have a look. The prototype is available at http://sbdsproto.nla.gov.au/ and provides integrated access to over 42 million metadata and text resources from a range of the National Library's collaborative services and from elsewhere. For this initial version there are a range of data sources including: the Australian National Bibliographic Database, Australian Newspapers, Picture Australia, the ARROW Discovery Service, and PANDORA. The new service will also provide the discovery interface for the People Australia initiative. Additionally we have included some external sources of data such as OAIster, Open Library, the Hathi Trust, the Internet Archive and the Library of Congress tables of contents, publishers' descriptions and sample book chapters.

Australian internet usage higher than television

According to the latest Nielsen survey Australian Internet usage is 20% greater than TV. The survey from March this year indicates that internet use by Australian internet users reached 16.1 hours per week in 2008, soaring ahead of TV at 12.9 viewing hours per week (radio sits at 8.8 hours).

This suggests that the average Australian internet user is spending 20% more time online than they do in front of the television - although there is also a high instance of multi-channeling - 61% of Australians watch TV and use the internet at the same time and 50% listen to the radio while surfing the net.

Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/ausinternetusage

Love and war at the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is canvassing the country for wartime love stories for an exhibition to be held at the end of this year. The material they collect on the Australian War Memorial: love and war Flickr group will set a romantic background for the museum's collection of objects, photographs and artworks.

http://keystone.collectionsaustralia.net/publisher/Outreach/?p=1145

INTERNATIONAL

Library A-Go-Go

The Contra Costa County Library is California has launched their library-a-go-go service. It is like a vending machine, but it lends library books.

http://ccclib.org/locations/libraryagogo.html

Erik Boekesteijn, Jaap Van De Geer, Geert Van Den Boogaard - Marketers - 2009 Movers & Shakers

Many Australian librarians will remember Erik and Jaap from the DOK library in the Netherlands for the Australian leg of their Shanachie Tour. They have been named 2009 Movers and Shakers by Library Journal.com.

http://tinyurl.com/libraryjournalarticle

Libraries are transforming lives

New Jersey libraries in the USA have been posting comments and stories from library users on how the library has transformed their lives. People are able to leave comments etc via a 'Tell us Your Story' link.

http://www.solvinglifesproblems.org/

What is a group of librarians called?

What do you call a group of librarians?
Some suggestions include:
A gaggle of librarians
A collection of librarians
A catalogue of librarians
A catalog of librarians
A shush of librarians

http://tinyurl.com/groupinglibrarians

Reading in bed

Reading before you go to bed is one of those things people have been doing for years. It's relaxing and entertaining, without being over stimulating. Are you sick of waking up in the morning with the book lying over your face, leaving nasty looking skin indentations that last through the day?
The Bedtime Reading Quilt is made of several layers, which can be torn off as you read. The quilt contains some of the classic bedtime stories for your pleasure, keeping you both warm and indentation free.

Read more and see the photos at: http://www.geeksugar.com/1085851 or at: http://tinyurl.com/readinbed

The Green Library

The Green Library blog is devoted to documenting significant activities, events, literature, and projects that focus on " ... increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources — energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal" of and by libraries.

http://thegreenlibraryblog.blogspot.com/

2009 National Book Festival [USA]

US President Barack Obama and First Lady, Michelle Obama are to chair the 2009 National Book Festival on 26 September 2009. The Library of Congress sponsors the festival, which will feature about 70 award-winning authors, poets and illustrators in pavilions dedicated to book subjects ranging from history and biography to mysteries, thrillers, poetry and prose, and books for families and young people. Festival-goers can meet and hear firsthand from their favourite authors, get books signed, have photos taken with PBS storybook characters and participate in a variety of learning activities.

http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2009/09-107.html

Buenos Aires named World Book Capital 2011

At a meeting in Paris on 12 June 2009, the Jury of World Book Capital, a jury which includes IPA , IBF , IFLA and UNESCO , appointed Buenos Aires as World Book Capital 2011 for the quality and variety of its application file, widely and enthusiastically supported by all players involved in the book industry (publishers, bookstores and libraries). Last year, the same jury had appointed Ljubljana, Slovenia as World Book Capital 2010. As usual, the program will start on World Book and Copyright Day on 23 April 2011.

The current World Book Capital is Beirut, Lebanon.

Every year, UNESCO convenes delegates from the International Publishers Association, the International Booksellers Federation (IBF) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) to grant the title of UNESCO World Book Capital to one city.

The city may hold the title for one designated year, from 23 April (UNESCO World Book Day) until 22 April of the following year. During that year it undertakes to organise and run a larger number of events around books, literature and reading. The programme brings together the local and national book industries and puts books and book culture into the public eye. It attracts sponsorship and extra funding for book related institutions. The programme raises awareness for literacy and reading issues, libraries and books shops and highlights the overall benefits of a lively book culture. The title is also used to promote tourism and draw national and international attention to the literary heritage of a city and nation.

CONFERENCES

ALIA National Library and Information Technicians Conference, Adelaide, 15–18 September 2009

Join hundreds of other library technicians for this important biennial event. Register now at the earlybird rates.

There is an exciting and stimulating program that focuses on the conference theme Technology Technique Unique.

Keynote speakers
Elaina Norlin - Technology
Irena Yashin-Shaw – Technique
Carol Cooper – Unique

Invited plenary speakers
Michael Coghlan - Web 2.0 and the future
Greg Gebhart - Cybersafety in public libraries
Roxanne Missingham - Creating value in a digital world: libraries, library technicians and the revolution
Helen Roberts and Ian McDonald - Copyright Issues

Website: http://conferences.alia.org.au/libtec2009/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18131723932

Connection and Convergence: Second International Conference on Joint Use Libraries, 10-11 August 2009

Connection and Convergence will be held in Adelaide from 10-11 August and focus on the increasing numbers and varieties of joint use libraries being developed around the world. It will also aim to explore other developments connecting, converging and co-locating academic, public, school and special libraries, and with non-library agencies and services. Proposals for papers and suggestions for speakers should be submitted to info@auslib.com.au by 17 December 2009.

LIANZA Conference, 12-14 October 2009

LIANZA Conference 2009: He Tangata He Tangata He Tangata 12-14 October 2009, Christchurch, New Zealand

The Conference Programme sub-committee announces a fantastic opportunity to experience a conference first - father and daughter keynote speaker duo. A bi-cultural event, which promises to be inspirational and very interesting:

  • Ta Tipene O'Regan
  • Hana O'Regan
LIANZA are also pleased to announce Claudia Lux, President of IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations) 2007-2009, and Director General of the Foundation Central and Regional Library, Berlin as a keynote speaker.

Website: http://www.lianza.org.nz/events/conference2009/speakers.html
Blog: http://lianza2009.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lianzacon2009

PLA/QPLA Conference, 11-14 October 2009

The conference will be held in Townsville, Queensland from 11 to 14 October 2009 with the theme being Change and Challenge.

http://www.pla.org.au/conferences.html

SWITCH: Public Libraries in a Changing Environment, 23-24 November 2009

Please refer to the Public Libraries NSW Metropolitan Association's website for more information: http://www.plmnsw.org.au or http://tinyurl.com/plmnsw-conference

Public Libraries NSW Country Conference - Albury Entertainment Centre, 13-16 July 2010

The title of the conference is IMPACT, and the program aims to address a variety of current and emerging issues associated with contemporary library service provision. A lively social program will complement the speakers program to provide an informative, friendly and enjoyable conference experience for all delegates. This is the first joint country-metropolitan conference to be hosted by Public Libraries NSW – Country, and we expect a great deal of interest from both country and metropolitan delegates.

More information regarding this conference will be available soon.

WEB RESOURCES

New web search engine - DeepDyve

According to the DeepDyve web site, DeepDyve delivers fast, easy access to the vast amounts of expert information hidden in the Deep Web.

http://www.deepdyve.com/

Gaming in libraries

If you'd like to find out more about gaming in libraries you can do a free online course at:

http://www.gamesinlibraries.org/course/?page_id=117

Live Smart – information in six languages

Live Smart is where young people can find information in 6 languages to get by in the real world. From budgeting to public transport, your health to mobile phones, Live Smart aims to provide you with the information you need. Look out for your language on the green box (left of each page) and listen to interviews with young people too.

http://www.livesmart.net.au/

BISAC subject headings

Need to download the entire list and incorporate it into your system? Download it at:

http://tinyurl.com/bisac-subheadings

The aerosol e-book enhancer!

Have you been avoiding e-books because they just don't smell right? Well the smell of e-book just got better! If you've been hesitant to jump on the e-book bandwagon, you're not alone. Book lovers everywhere have resisted digital books because they still don't compare to the experience of reading a good old-fashioned paper book.

But all of that is changing thanks to Smell of Books™, a revolutionary new aerosol e-book enhancer. Now you can finally enjoy reading e-books without giving up the smell you love so much.

http://smellofbooks.com/

FEEDBACK

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