Events

VALA holds regular guest speaker events covering recent and interesting developments in the application of information technology. They are open to all members of the community.

To view the Calendar of events click HERE.

VALA Code of Conduct

VALA seeks to provide a respectful and safe environment in which diverse participants may learn from, challenge, network with and share the company of colleagues. We recognise a shared responsibility to create and sustain that environment and do not tolerate harassment in any form. Click HERE for the full document.

VALA Event 2013: Library web OPAC

VALA Guest Speaker Event

Topic: Real-time user stats for your Library web OPAC

See what your library users are doing on your system right now, how their behaviour changes over time and how to use this data to enhance your Library web OPAC.

Identify ‘right-now’ library usage trend and produce data visualisations to reflect usage trend to enable librarians and library staff to better serve the currents needs of your users.

Read More: VALA Event 2013: Library web OPAC→

Two great speakers, one great topic.

MalBooth 2Due to popular demand this event is SOLD OUT

VALA is very excited to announce that two great speakers, Mal Booth from the University of Technology in Sydney, and Patti Manolis from the Geelong Regional Library, will come together to discuss library design and planning.

This VALA Guest Speaker Event titled “Library Space Oddity…” will book out, so get in early to reserve your spot at this exciting FREE event. See the VALA event page for for details and to book online.

Read More: Two great speakers, one great topic.→

VALA Event 2013 : Technolust

VALA Guest Speaker Event

Technolust: the fifth column of the information counter-revolution

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As libraries see their funding reduced and their relevance questioned across the world, they are eager to introduce and use new technologies to remain valued and vibrant. In this talk, Hugh will argue that in a rush to remain relevant, it is easy for librarians to unwittingly support and champion technologies that oppose the values upon which our profession is based. He will also highlight some of the technology projects libraries are successfully running without compromising their commitment to openness, confidentiality and freedom.

Speaker: Hugh Rundle

Hugh Rundle is Information Management and Kew Librarian at the City of Boroondara. Mal Booth, University Librarian at UTS recently wrote that “Hugh is now one of the leading thinkers with regard to libraries in Australia”. Then again, David Lankes of Syracuse University has accused him of “the worst bit of logical reasoning I’ve seen in quite a bit of time”, which just goes to show the value of a thorough literature review. Hugh is active on Twitter and writes a blog called “It’s not about the books” at hughrundle.net.

FREE ENTRY

Hugh Rundle’s talk will follow the “brief” business of the Special General Meeting of the Association.

Not a VALA member?
Visitors are welcome at VALA meetings – but registration is essential!

VENUE

Dulcie Hollyock Room
Ground Floor, Baillieu Library,
University of Melbourne.
(Public transport via train or tram.
On-street parking in surrounding area – have gold coins available.)

DATE & TIME

Wednesday 27 March 2013 Drinks and nibbles from 5:30 pm. Want to join Committee and the speaker for dinner (your expense) afterwards? DINNER RSVPs only by 5.00 p.m. Monday 25 March: vala@vala.org.au or (03) 9725 2725 

 

VALA General Meeting 2012: Lightning Talks

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VALA End-of-Year General Meeting

Lightning Talks – share your innovation story

Join Victoria’s community of Library IT Professionals for an evening of brief “lightning talks” to showcase local ideas or practices with a focus on IT innovation.

Lightning talks are simple 5-minute presentations that offer insights into a single topic. This format offers an excellent opportunity for you to participate and share knowledge with colleagues from a diverse cross section of Library and Information Services. Possible topics might include: 

  • Customised software or hardware solutions
  • Web or mobile technologies
  • IT in spaces and the design process
  • Social technology
  • Learnings from projects that didn’t work out
  • You tell us!

The VALA committee is encouraging anyone who can talk to an example of innovation (whether successful or not) at their organisation to come to this dynamic and inspirational event.

How do I participate?

  • Reflect on one or two examples of innovation at your organisation and prepare a simple, “punchy” 5 minute talk that will convey the example to an audience of Library IT Professionals.
  • Slides/PowerPoint etc. are optional but if used can be brought along on the night.
  • There will be provision in the programme for a certain number of impromptu talks.

FREE ENTRY

Not a VALA member?
Visitors are welcome at VALA meetings – just come!
Express your interest in attending – registration is free.

VENUE

Dulcie Hollyock Room (formerly known as Tutorial Room)
Ground Floor, Baillieu Library,
University of Melbourne, Melways Map X871 I6.
(Public transport via train or tram.
On-street parking in surrounding area – have gold coins available.)

DATE & TIME

Wednesday 28 November 2012
Christmas drinks and nibbles from 5:30 pm.

VALA Meetings 2010: RFID

 

RFID in the library: Work flows, efficiencies, and the Internet of Things.

  • {enclose VALA-Meetings-2010-RFID-Butters-mp3-Podcast.mp3} (35.1 MB)

More and more libraries are moving to RFID or are considering RFID. It is therefore fitting that VALA finish the year with a meeting that focuses on a topic that is of major interest to a wide cross section of the library community.

Facilitated by Alan Butters from Sybis, and with representatives from major RFID suppliers as well as a panel of librarians who have radio tagged their collections, this VALA end-of-year general meeting will be topical and informative.

 

The session will focus on:

 

  • What to consider if you are interested in radio tagging your collections
  • Project managing an RFID conversion
  • How RFID changes your library workflows
  • The impact on the patron experience
  • The impact on library staff and staffing
  • If and how RFID will allow libraries to move towards the “Internet of Things”, whereby physical items will have a presence on the Internet.

 

Facilitator: Alan Butters is an internationally respected authority on RFID. In 2006 Alan received industry support, including from VALA, ALIA and 3M, to continue his representation for the Australian library community on the ISO TC46/SC4/WG11 RFID in Libraries committee.

AWARDS: The next VALA Travel Scholar and the winners of the VALA Award and the Student Awards for 2010 will be announced at the meeting.

FREE ENTRY

Not a VALA member? Visitors are welcome at VALA meetings – just come!

VENUE: Tutorial Room, Ground Floor, Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne, Melways Map X871 I6.
See Google Maps for details
(On-site parking available after 5.00 p.m. – have gold coins available for the parking fee. Public transport via tram.)

DATE & TIME: Wednesday 24 November 2010

Drinks and refreshments from 5:30 pm.

Meeting at 6:00 pm.

Contact: VALA Executive Officer vala@vala.org.au

Want to join Committee and the speaker for dinner (your expense) afterwards?

Dinner RSVPs only by 5.00 p.m. Monday 22 November: vala@vala.org.au or (03) 9725 2725

See also the topics covered by previous VALA General Meetings

VALA Events 2015: Steve Killelea Biography

About Steve Killelea, A.M.Steve Killelea

Founder & Executive Chairman

Integrated Research Ltd; The Charitable Foundation; Institute for Economics and Peace

Steve Killelea is an accomplished entrepreneur in high technology business development and at the forefront of philanthropic activities focused on sustainable development and peace. After successfully building two international software companies, Steve decided to dedicate most of his time and fortune to sustainable development and peace.

Steve founded Integrated Research Ltd (IR), an Australian publicly-listed company with a 25-year heritage of providing performance management and payments software for business-critical computing and Unified Communications environments. Through Steve’s direction as CEO and now as Chairman, IR has built an impressive, world-class customer base to make it one of Australia’s leading software companies. Steve was recognized as AIIA Australian Exporter of the Year in 1998 and 2003, amongst numerous other business awards.

Steve has always had a strong passion for sustainable development, and in 2000 established The Charitable Foundation (TCF), which specialises in working with the poorest communities of the world. TCF is one of the largest private overseas aid organizations in Australia. It aims to provide life-changing interventions reaching as many people as possible with special emphasis on targeting the poorest of the poor. TCF is active in East and Central Africa and parts of Asia and has substantially impacted the lives of over 2.3 million people.

In 2007 Steve founded the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an international think tank dedicated to building a greater understanding of the interconnection between business, peace and economics with particular emphasis on the economic benefits of peace. IEP’s ground-breaking research includes the Global Peace Index, the world’s leading measure of peacefulness. Steve’s founding of IEP was recognized as one of the 50 most impactful philanthropic gifts in Australia’s history.

Steve currently serves on a number of influential Company Boards, Advisory Boards and President Councils. In 2010 he was honoured as Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the global peace movement and the provision of humanitarian aid to the developing world. In 2013 Steve was nominated one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Armed Violence Reduction” by the UK group Action on Armed Violence.