Welcome to our (largely) paperless Conference, thanks to Zerista, the official smartphone app for VALA2018.
The VALA2018 official smartphone app is free for all delegates. The app is a networking and information tool for iPhone, Android and mobile web. All delegates have received an email pre-conference with an invitation to download the official Conference App. If you have not already downloaded your app, simply visit the Registration and Information Desk located in Concourse Area 3, opposite Door 6 of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre to retrieve your login details to download the app.
Once you have downloaded the app, connect with other registered VALA2018 attendees during and after the Conference. Joining the community will allow you to:
Update your personal profile to add your photo and bio
Add pictures, videos, your blog and feed plus more to your page so that other attendees know more about you
Maximise your time at VALA2018 by scheduling conference sessions, social functions, and meetings
Browse attendees to pinpoint who you want to meet at VALA2018 (and where!)
Use the filter by section on the exhibitors tab to find companies you’re interested in
Make notes, start conversations and join chat groups
System Requirements
Please note that to download the VALA conference app, your phone or device will require a minimum of Apple iOS 10 or Android 4.0. If your device doesn’t support either of these operating systems, use the browser on your device to access the same information at https://vala2018.zerista.com.
Haven’t received an invitation? Check that your registration included your unique email address (not an administrator or generic that is shared by others); if you need to update your email address, or are having other difficulties accessing the conference app, please contact the VALA2018 Conference Office on T +61 3 9645 6311 or E vala@wsm.com.au.
The VALA2018 Conference Registration and Information Desk will be located on Concourse Area 3, opposite Door 6 of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and will be open as follows:
Tuesday 13 February 2018 0730 – 1830
Wednesday 14 February 2018 0800 – 1730
Thursday 15 February 2018 0800 – 1730
Speaker Preparation Room
Speakers are asked to submit and preview their presentations prior to their session. The Speaker Preparation Room is located in Room 215 on Level 2 and will be open as follows:
Tuesday 13 February 2018 0730 – 1730
Wednesday 14 February 2018 0800 – 1730
Thursday 15 February 2018 0800 – 1630
Eposters
Eposters are new to VALA2018, and can be viewed at any time on the touchscreens in the Exhibition Hall. Eposters can also be viewed on your own devices at vala2018.paperlessevents.com.au. For the Eposter presentation schedule, please check the Conference Program pages.
Name badges and security
Conference name badges must be worn at all times during the Conference. Without a name badge, you will not be admitted to the VALA Exhibition or Conference Session Rooms. For Social Functions, guests must have their name badge or function tickets with them to gain entry. The Social Functions are not appropriate for children; therefore we ask that you do not purchase tickets for children under the age of 18 years. To avoid difficulty accessing Conference areas and functions, please always have your name badge or function ticket with you. Registration categories and colours are as shown.
Network and Recharge Hub
Located in the Exhibition, the VALA Network and Recharge Hub is a place for communication, physical or virtual: recharge devices, organise a meet-up. See you at the Hub!
Wireless Internet Access
VALA2018 will be supported by a dedicated wireless internet access service, provided for the exclusive use of delegates. The access will be password protected. Please refer to your pocket programme for access code and further details. When using the internet service, please be mindful of your colleagues and use the connection responsibly.
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. Any concerns can be shared with the nominated Duty Officer, whose details will be available via the Conference App, onsite announcements and at the Registration Desk. Click HERE for the full VALA Code of Conduct document.
VALA View – sponsored by Sage Publishing
All VALA2018 Keynote Speakers, Concurrent Sessions and Roundtables will be recorded and available to view on demand on VALA View accessible from the VALA website.
Transport Information
Public Transport
myki is the smart card ticketing system in metropolitan Melbourne. It is an integrated system that works on trains, trams and buses. You may purchase a ticket online in advance at www.ptv.com.au or for interstate and international guests, a myki visitor pack can be purchased from the MCEC Business Centre at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, PTV Hub at Southern Cross Station, the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square and the SkyBus terminals at Melbourne Airport and Southern Cross Station.
Please note that a myki travel card must be purchased in advance and tickets cannot be purchased on board.
The free tram zone within the central business district extends from Victoria Street in the north to Flinders Street in the south; Collins Street in Docklands West to Spring Street in the East. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Clarendon Street stop is outside of the free tram zone, you will need to touch on and touch off at this stop.
Visit the MCEC website for detail on directions, public transport and parking information. TheSkyBus transports visitors directly from Melbourne Airport to Southern Cross train station.
Venue General Information
Conference Catering
Lunch, morning and afternoon teas will be served in the Exhibition Area on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday morning tea and lunch will be served in the Exhibition Area with the afternoon tea being served in the Main Foyer. See also “Special Dietary Requirements”.
Dress
The dress code for VALA2018 is smart casual.
Disclaimer
VALA, the Conference Organising Committee and WALDRONSMITH Management will not accept liability for the damages of any nature sustained by participants or their accompanying persons for loss or damage to their personal property as a result of VALA2018 and Exhibition or related events.
Emergency Response
In the event of an evacuation, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre staff will act as fire wardens to assist in the movement of patrons to the designated assembly point. Please follow their instructions accordingly.
People with Special Needs
Every effort has been made to ensure that people with special needs are catered for. Should you require any specific assistance, please contact the Registration and Information Desk to enable us to make your attendance at the Conference a pleasant and comfortable experience.
Photography and VALA View Recording
VALA2018 will be supported by onsite webcasts, video recording and photography. The resulting footage and images may be published by VALA in promotional material, including on the VALA website. When registering, delegates were able to withhold their authority for VALA to use any footage or images in which they appear; this will be indicated by the allocation of a distinctive lanyard where appropriate. If unsure, please enquire at the Registration Desk.
Special Dietary Requirements
Every effort will be made to accommodate all special dietary requirements; however, advance notification is required. You will need to make yourself known to a staff member at the various catering times in order to obtain your special meal. All buffet lunches have vegetarian options. No guarantee can be made to cater for delegates who did not advise dietary requirements in advance.
Websites are becoming the digital ‘front door’ to information services, greatly enhanced by innovative technologies and design that extend the user experience in information discovery. A well-designed library website is essential to meet requirements for good functionality, usability by clients, and improved administration and content authoring. This paper shares the development and design of a new website to reflect the Defence Science & Technology Group’s (DST) transformation of its traditional library service to Research Information Services digital delivery.
The much-discussed Bibliographic Framework Initiative data model is under development, and institutions have already begun testing. Its goal is to increase the flexibility, visibility and discoverability of all resources. This paper explores research & development activities in international collaboration with over 12 institutions, analysing the implications and challenges, e.g., the development of entity identification procedures. Ultimately, the availability of collection data to a wider audience ensures the safeguarding of cultural heritage. Feedback from the international library community is discussed, problems highlighted and evidence upon which to resolve them is provided. The model embraces innovation in technology and knowledge representation.
The VALA2018 Diversity Scholarships, sponsored by EBSCO, go to following three deserving recipients…..
Many high-quality submissions were received, and after careful consideration, the following three applicants were selected.
Lisa Harth – Library Services Coordinator for nine branches of the Western Downs Regional Council – Dalby, QLD
“I am new to leadership of a Library service and find that my skills and contacts in technology are just enough to “keep the ship afloat” but I believe that with exposure to a forum such as VALA I would gain insight into possibilities which could propel our Library service into one of the leading regional services in our State.
I believe Libraries are well-positioned to offer opportunities for learning, experimentation, co-creation and business incubation in an area with little access to any of these.”
“The beautiful Mackay region is a member of the GW3, or the Greater Whitsunday Alliance, so we work very closely with our neighbours to the north in the Whitsunday region and the Isaac region to the west, so anything that I bring back from VALA will also be of benefit to those regions and further and beyond.
I have also just completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Audio Visual Archiving with Charles Sturt University which was fabulous and I’m very keen to get my hands down and dirty into some severe digitisation and would appreciate some direction on how to begin some of those programs.”
“As a lone librarian working in a remote region of WA, I spend considerable time connecting with peers and professionals online via user networks… trading valuable information in regard to the latest cutting edge library technology and ideas but rarely have the opportunity to share ideas and pick brains of tech-savvy professionals in person.
Our Pilbara world features some of the most innovative technology in the mining and gas industries and we believe our library is a space where young people of diverse origins can (and should) experience the exciting world of open technology. Providing such a space will seek to put us on par with other major centres.”
VALA recognises that regional, rural and indigenous members of the Library community face additional barriers to participation in both library and technical events. The Diversity Scholarship is offered to individuals who in normal circumstances would not generally attend a VALA event or would struggle to attend due to financial or other hardship.
The VALA2018 Diversity Scholarships would not be possible without the support of EBSCO. Please thank them by dropping in to Stands 75-76 at VALA2018.
EBSCO is “committed to providing professional development and networking opportunities for librarians looking to advance their careers. The 2018 VALA Diversity Scholarship presents an opportunity for librarians to share ideas, challenges and best practices with their peers. We look forward to attending VALA2018 and meeting our partners in the Australian library community.”
By supporting these three recipients with a diversity scholarship and a trip to Melbourne for VALA2018, we hope to not only support their career and academic pursuits but also empower them to encourage, inspire and impart knowledge to those in their own community.
VALA would like to extend a massive congratulations to all three deserving recipients, we cannot wait to see what you do with this opportunity.
Field specimens and field notes provide a rich source of data for researchers. In 2016, Deakin University Library implemented a project to make accessible an historic field specimen album by William Harvey and a set of field diaries by noted scientist, Edmund Gill. Such unique and unusual items created challenges for the digitisation process and also led us to explore a range of methods to enhance their discovery and promotion. This paper outlines the digitisation project, the use of metadata, digital exhibitions and social media to expose the digitised items and the collaboration required to successfully complete the project.
Through collection acquisition, digitisation, engagement and data sharing activities, State Library of Queensland’s QANZAC100: Memories for a New Generation project has created a unique digital legacy of Queensland participation in the First World War. With an aim to increase understanding of Queenslanders’ experiences during and after the First World War, the project has also built the capacity of community stakeholders to explore and share local and family stories, enabled researchers to access content, explored how the war is remembered, and encouraged a re-examination of the past. In order to sustain a digital legacy, outcomes of the project have been considered as data, with intent to achieve open, structured, interoperable, and re-usable data.
This paper presents findings of a survey that investigated the reading preferences of university students at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia. This survey is being undertaken as part of the Academic Reading Format International Study (ARFIS), which is investigating print versus digital reading preferences in 31 countries. A total of 582 students completed the survey. Results from the survey indicate a strong preference for reading in print because of issues such as eyestrain, tactile features, better focus, and ability to highlight and take notes. Issues such as cost, usability and accessibility also impacted on students’ reading decisions.
Despite the concept of Linked Data being over ten years old, it has yet to make a practical impact in the library world. Libraries prize standards and best practices, but there is no clear leader in the field and many Linked Data implementations appear experimental or isolated. Nonetheless, stakeholders in Sweden, Norway, the United States of America, and Australia are working to integrate Linked Data into the open-source library management system Koha. There are many challenges, but developers are collaborating globally to overcome them.
Automated document generation software is an increasingly important component of law firm knowledge management. This paper discusses the ongoing precedents development project at Meyer Vandenberg and how the firm has embraced a hybrid practitioner model, bringing formerly IT domain functions under the umbrella of knowledge and information services. This paper also examines on-the-job development of technical (programming) skills and the use of collaborative, customer-focused workflow models to improve stakeholder engagement, and facilitate knowledge capture and sharing.
