June 2008

In this aliaPUBNEWS broadcast:

News from ALIA
ALIA survey of internet access in public libraries 2008; Library stars: best of the best 2008; ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference; Summer Reading Club 08/09; Your Voice: National Advisory Congress 2008; ALIA membership renewals NOW DUE; 4th ALIA New Librarians Symposium (Melbourne); inCite theme for August 2008 issue: Rare and antiquarian

Awards and Scholarships
New rural women’s writing competition; Miles Franklin Winner

Web Resources
Microsoft Word Tools; Top 100 Australian Web 2.0 Applications; Open Australia - Keeping Tabs on Your Local Parliamentarians; American Art Online; Topical Web Site

Believe it or Not!
Stolen Books; Email Addiction; The Web Time Forgot

International
Blackwell brews up Espresso

States and territories
Oral History Seminar (State Library of NSW); Mental Health Grants (NSW)

Conferences
Public Libraries in Australia and New Zealand for Older Generations; LIANZA Conference 2008: Poropitia Outside the Box - Auckland NZ; ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference - REGISTER NOW

National
Collaborative Projects Showcase

Library Blogs
Marketing Blog

News from ALIA

ALIA survey of internet access in public libraries 2008
In 2002 and 2005, ALIA conducted a survey on internet access in public libraries. We also conducted a smaller survey in 2007 which focussed on technical issues. We are now updating the 2002 and 2005 survey to ensure that we have accurate and up-to-date information in this vital area of library services and freedom of access to information. ALIA’s participation on the Cyber-Safety Consultative Working Group (set up by Senator Stephen Conroy, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy), and the establishment of a Joint Parliamentary Standing Committee to investigate and report on cyber-safety issues makes the 2008 survey of particular importance when informing government and advocating ALIA principles of access to information. Research you may need to do before completing the survey: 1. Number of registered library users 2. Number of complaints about internet access and content in the past 12 months 3. Knowledge of your library’s internet use policy 4. Staffing hours for internet support Information you need to complete the survey: 1. One survey per public library 2. Figures need only be approximate if exact figures are not available 3. Individual libraries will not be identified in the final report 4. The survey cannot be saved so must be completed in one go 5. Contact details are optional 6. The survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. If you require further information, please contact Jane Hardy, ALIA Assistant Director, Strategy & Advocacy on jane.hardy@alia.org.au or 02 6215 8235. The survey is now available for completion online from the ALIA website. Please complete it by Monday July 14 2008:
http://www.alia.org.au/advocacy/internet.access

Library stars: best of the best 2008
2 September 2008 Library stars: best of the best will be held as a satellite event of the ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference, dreaming08, in Alice Springs. Following its successful debut in Perth in 2006, the forum, hosted by ALIA's Public Libraries Advisory Committee (PLAC), will showcase public libraries, their projects, and successes. We are pleased to announce the libraries that have been selected to present at the 2008 forum: Access category Nhulunbuy Community Library (NT) Increasing Indigenous Access: Nhulunbuy Community Library and Yirrkala Storytime Entrepreneurial category Launceston Library Online Access Centre (State Library of Tasmania)(TAS) Local History Publication Program Meeting Place category Rockhampton Regional Council (Yeppoon Library) (QLD) VerbYL The program will feature: • keynote address by Inga Lunden, Director of the Stockholm Public Library • presentation from the three 'library stars' • poster displays of innovative ideas from other nominating libraries • Delegates Choice Award for the best project presented on the day Register NOW for the forum: http://www.alia.org.au/governance/committees/public.libraries/ The website also includes summaries of all 2008 nominations – read all about exciting and innovative developments in public libraries across the country! Proudly sponsored by Peter Pal Library Supplies, S Central and Public Libraries Australia.
http://www.alia.org.au/governance/committees/public.libraries/

ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference
Register now for the Biennial Conference in Alice Springs. Early bird registrations close on 18 July 2008. Visit our website to check out the exciting program:
http://www.alia2008.com/

Summer Reading Club 08/09
The dates of this year's Summer Reading Club are 1 December 2008 to early February 2009. The theme focuses on sports and the slogan is: Get in the game, READ! The Summer Reading Club includes promotional posters, reading records, puzzles, activities, reading incentives, a website and a library manual - everything a library needs to run the program. Orders will open in early July.
http://www.alia.org.au/src/

Your Voice: National Advisory Congress 2008
Ever wonder how ALIA sets its direction? Ever wish you had a say in it? ALIA is your Association so have your say at the National Advisory Congress. The 2008 NAC will focus on one of ALIA's 2009 priorities - Professional Development. We will also review the outcomes of the Education and Workforce Summit and celebrate the successes of the Association, its groups and members. Check out the NAC regional meeting dates for 2008.
http://www.alia.org.au/governance/nac/2008/

ALIA membership renewals NOW DUE
Renew your ALIA membership by the 18th July 2008 and be in the draw to win one of 25 ALIA Packs (Permit Number (ACT) TP 08/02603). Renewing your membership supports the Association that supports you and our industry. It’s being a member of ALIA that puts you at the forefront of our profession. Contact us on membership@alia.org.au. For information on our 08/09 membership fees, visit:
http://www.alia.org.au/membership.benefits/fees.html

4th ALIA New Librarians Symposium (Melbourne)
Registrations for the NLS4 are now open! Our program is live, and includes information for a Professional Development Day on Thursday 4 December, which will be complementary or at little cost for NLS4 delegates. There is still more to come! For program details and to register go to:
http://conferences.alia.org.au/newlibrarian2008/

inCite theme for August 2008 issue: Rare and antiquarian
Contribute to your member magazine! August's feature topic is 'rare and antiquarian'. Contributions on this theme or on other issues relating to library and information services are welcome. High resolution images are also encouraged. Send your articles to incite@alia.org.au
http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/incite/

Awards and Scholarships

New rural women’s writing competition
The Elyne Mitchell Award Elyne Mitchell, arguably one of Australia’s most influential and unique children’s authors, is the inspiration of a new national rural women’s writing award. The competition has two sections: 1. An open category for women over 25 years of age; and 2. An emerging writers’ category for women 15 to 25 years Each section offers $1000 prize money and entries can be fiction or non fiction but in the spirit of Elyne Mitchell’s work they must have specific reference to an Australian rural experience. Entries close at 7pm on August 1 and the winners will be announced in October. For more information on the Elyne Mitchell Rural Women’s Writing Award visit:
www.elynemitchell.com

Miles Franklin Winner
Melbourne-based author Steven Carroll has won Australia's most prestigious literary prize for his novel, The Time We Have Taken. His novel The time we have taken is set in suburban Melbourne of the 1970's and the novel is described by the judges as a 'moving and indelible in its evocation of the extraordinary in ordinary lives'. The State Librarian of NSW Regina Sutton was one of this years Miles Franklin judges. Read more at:
http://tinyurl.com/6oel2p

Web Resources

Microsoft Word Tools
Microsoft Word is full of tools that can help you work faster and smarter—but only if you know about them. Here's a list to remind you of just what Word can do for you. You're probably familiar with some of these. Your neighbor knows a few, too, but not the same few. Time to learn something new! For more details see:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2314059,00.asp

Top 100 Australian Web 2.0 Applications
The Top 100 Web 2.0 Applications list has now been officially launched. To find out more and see a copy of the list go to:
http://tinyurl.com/6f3cx8

Open Australia - Keeping Tabs on Your Local Parliamentarians
OpenAustralia.org is a non-partisan website run by a group of volunteers which aims to make it easy for people to keep tabs on their representatives in Parliament. Just Enter your postcode and you can be notified via RSS every time your local Federal member speaks in the House of Representatives. You can also search by subject e.g. libraries Check it out at:
http://openaustralia.org/

American Art Online
The National Endowment for the Humanities in America is offering schools and public libraries high quality reproductions of American art, and resource notes. The site can be found at:
http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/

Topical Web Site
The Alltop website collects stories from “all the top” sites on the web and groups these collections into individual Alltop sites based on topics such as customer service, environment, photography, science, celebrity gossip, politics, etc. Check it out at:
http://alltop.com/

Believe it or Not!

Stolen Books
We're all familiar with the idea of a bestseller list—a particular book store or a newspaper publishing popular titles—but what about books that aren't bought but are stolen? Some organisations, including the American Library Association as well as libraries and newspapers here in Australia, do gather informal information on book theft. In Australia, it's Stephanie Alexander's recipe book The Cook's Companion that often comes out on top of the most shoplifted. And ironically crime novels often get lifted as well. Listen to the ABC's 'The Book Show' interview with Paul Constant to find out more at:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/stories/2008/2283091.htm

Email Addiction
The onslaught of mobile phone calls and e-mail and instant messages is fracturing attention spans and hurting productivity. It is a common complaint. But now the very companies that helped create the flood are trying to mop it up. Some of the biggest technology firms, including Microsoft, Intel, Google and I.B.M., are banding together to fight information overload. A typical information worker who sits at a computer all day turns to his e-mail program more than 50 times and uses instant messaging 77 times, according to one measure by RescueTime, a company that analyses computer habits. The company, which draws its data from 40,000 people who have tracking software on their computers, found that on average the worker also stops at 40 Web sites over the course of the day. The fractured attention comes at a cost. In the United States, more than $650 billion a year in productivity is lost because of unnecessary interruptions... Read more at:
http://tinyurl.com/4o8vaf

The Web Time Forgot
In 1934, Paul Otlet sketched out plans for a global network of computers (or “electric telescopes,” as he called them) that would allow people to search and browse through millions of interlinked documents, images, audio and video files. He described how people would use the devices to send messages to one another, share files and even congregate in online social networks. He called the whole thing a “réseau,” which might be translated as “network” — or arguably, “web.” Historians typically trace the origins of the World Wide Web through a lineage of Anglo-American inventors like Vannevar Bush, Doug Engelbart and Ted Nelson. But more than half a century before Tim Berners-Lee released the first Web browser in 1991, Otlet (pronounced ot-LAY) described a networked world where “anyone in his armchair would be able to contemplate the whole of creation.” Read more at:
http://tinyurl.com/49v5bg

International

Blackwell brews up Espresso
Blackwell is introducing an on-demand printer the Espresso Book Machine to its 60-store chain after signing an agreement with US owner On Demand Books. The deal makes Blackwell the first UK retailer to install the EBM. The academic chain will trial the machine from this autumn at a yet-to-be-determined launch site, and will then roll it out across its stores. It is also looking at possible international retail sites and library supply for the machine.

States and territories

Oral History Seminar (State Library of NSW)
Oral History Seminar When:Sat July 26 Where: Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of NSW, Macquarie St, Sydney Session 1 – Anna Jarrett, professional - and travelling – storyteller takes a fresh look at oral history philosophy and practice. This presentation gives insights into the sensitivities and the excitement of working with stories at every stage from their oral history beginnings to the final digital presentation. Discover the roles of listeners, story custodians, community cultural workers, media producers – and friends Session 2 - Rosemary Block, Curator, Oral History, will teach the practice and technique of oral history $48 inc lunch Inquiries and bookings tel: 02 9273 1770

Mental Health Grants (NSW)
The Mental Health Association NSW, with funding from NSW Health, offers a number of small grants to assist staging mental health promotion activities during Mental Health Week 2008. Mental health promotion encompasses a range of activities that maximise the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. The scope of Mental Health Week activities that maximise the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. The scope of Mental Health Week activities is only limited by the imagination and commitment of your local organising committee. Small grants will be awarded to organisations who clearly tie in their project or activity with the theme for Mental Health Week NSW 2008 which focuses on 'Building Resilience - Be accepting'. Important Dates Applications close: 5pm, Friday July 18, 2008 All applicants will be notified from: Friday, August 15, 2008 More information at:
http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/campaigns/applygrant.htm

Conferences

Public Libraries in Australia and New Zealand for Older Generations
NEXT CHAPTERS: PUBLIC LIBRARIES FOR OLDER ADULTS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND When Friday 1 May – Saturday 2 May 2009 Where State Library of New South Wales, Sydney Most developed countries have ageing populations and people who are living longer. What are the implications and opportunities for public libraries? This fourth annual Auslib conference will help public libraries in Australia and New Zealand to plan inclusive strategies to identify and meet the needs of older adults. Next Chapters will have international, New Zealand and Australian speakers, panel sessions, targeted recommendations to governments, and full published proceedings. Its aims are to • Identify who are today’s older adults, where they are, what they want, how you can give them what they want, and how you can tell them that you have what they want. • Increase the awareness of public librarians and others about public library initiatives for older adults now occurring internationally and in Australia and New Zealand. • Increase political awareness of the unique scope and return on investment in public libraries. More information and a call for papers can be found at:
http://www.auslib.com.au/

LIANZA Conference 2008: Poropitia Outside the Box - Auckland NZ
Registrations are open for LIANZA Conference 2008 Poropitia Outside the Box at the SKYCITY Convention Centre, Auckland, New Zealand, from Sunday 2 to Wednesday 5 November 2008. Take time out of your normal routine to think about who you are, what you do and why you do it that way. Be inspired and challenged by keynote speakers from New Zealand and the world. Culture and heritage, non-book formats, digital services, local history, libraries and community, equitable access ... the conference will offer a lot to learn about and much to celebrate. Featuring keynote speakers: * Dylan Horrocks, Comics Laureate to the conference. * Dr Diane Mara, tutor and research project leader in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) Hawkes Bay * Professor Mason Durie, Professor of Maori Research and Development and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Maori) at Massey University. * Mark McCrindle, Director of McCrindle Research * Professor Lawrence Lessig, Professor of Law at Stanford Law School 2008. (LIANZA Conference 2008 and the Faculty of Law at The University of Auckland are co-hosting Lawrence Lessig's New Zealand visit.) * Professor Marilyn Waring, Institute of Public Policy at AUT University. You can register online at http://www.lianza.org.nz/events/conference2008/registration.html For further information see the Conference website http://www.lianza.org.nz/events/conference2008/ or contact The Conference Company lianza@tcc.co.nz Early bird registration closes 19 September 2008.

ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference - REGISTER NOW
We are gearing up and getting excited about the ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference in Alice Springs from 2-5 September 2008. You are encouraged to register and book accommodation as soon as possible. The conference program is now available on the conference website and the conference together with the satellite events offer something for many sectors including health, public, school and academic libraries. Earlybird registrations close Friday 18 July. Video with Fiona O'Loughlin: http://www.alia.org.au/conferences/2008-2009.html
http://www.alia2008.com/

National

Collaborative Projects Showcase
The Collections Council is pleased to announce the launch of the test site for the Collaborative Projects Showcase and is calling for participants to contribute to the pilot phase of the Showcase. We are particularly interested in hearing from projects developed in collaboration between different types of collecting organisations (e.g. a gallery and an historical society; a museum and a library; etc). Please register your interest if you have a collaborative project you would like to promote or if you have any other comments or suggestions for the content of the Showcase by sending an email to: projects@collectionscouncil.com.au. The Collections Council is aiming to complete preliminary testing of the Showcase by the end of July 2008. For more information visit:
http://tinyurl.com/5vqsoa

Library Blogs

Marketing Blog
Step one on the marketing planning journey is to ask yourself - Where are you now? Where you are now is a function of where you've been. This is where you get to sit back and reflect on where your library has been in the last planning period or beyond and documenting the influence of the past on your future direction. For some very useful marketing plan information visit Peter Goodfellow's blog at:
http://petesmarketingblog.blogspot.com/

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