VALA2004 Proceedings

VALA2004, the 12th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia from 3 – 5 February 2004. The theme of the conference was Breaking Boundaries: Integration & Interoperability.

The following programme was presented at VALA2004. See also the archived VALA2004 conference web site.

VALA is the process of copying old conference abstracts, papers, and presentations onto the new VALA portal. VALA2004 papers will be made available from this section of the VALA web site.

Registering on the VALA web site also allows you to post your own comments about all of the presentations and papers at VALA’s biennial conferences. When commenting please refrain from inappropriate remarks and be aware of VALA’s online code of conduct.

Creative Commons LicenseAll works are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License unless specifically stated.

VALA2004 Session 10 Denison

Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2004-proceedings/vala2004-session-10-denison

Breaking ground: library systems implementation in Vietnam

VALA 2004 CONCURRENT SESSION 10: Extending the ILMS
Thursday 5 February 2004, 11:55 – 12:30

Tom Denison

White Room Electronic Publishing Pty. Ltd.

Michael Robinson

Director, Library & Learning Resource Centre Projects, RMIT Vietnam
http://www.rmit.edu.vn

VALA2004
VALA Peer Reviewed Paper

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VALA2004 Session 10 Denison Paper 42.74 KB

Abstract

With few exceptions most Vietnamese libraries are underdeveloped and struggling to provide adequate resources, although there are some notable exceptions such as the National Library of Vietnam, NACESTID (National Centre for Science and Technology Information and Documentation) and some academic libraries. In this environment, RMIT International University Vietnam’s work in developing a number of Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) on behalf of local universities is making a major contribution to the educational infrastructure of the country. The purpose of this paper is to look at the current state of automation in Vietnam and, largely drawing on the experience of these projects, to highlight a number of issues that have arisen. In particular, it will consider the issue of sustainability and some of the factors that contribute to it. To do this, it will first provide some background to the projects being undertaken, followed by an overview of the market for integrated library management systems.

VALA2004 Session 10 Thewlis

Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2004-proceedings/vala2004-session-10-thewlis

Working together to expand and extend the functionality of your ILMS – how to get more from your vendor

VALA 2004 CONCURRENT SESSION 10: Extending the ILMS
Thursday 5 February 2004, 11:55 – 12:30

Chris Thewlis

Sales & Marketing Manager, Civica Pty. Limited
http://www.civica.com.au

VALA2004
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VALA2004 Session 10 Thewlis Paper 23.76 KB

Abstract

A collaborative working relationship with your vendor will result in positive outcomes for both parties. This paper discusses the importance of a strong customer/vendor relationship, commercial reality from the vendors’ perspective, and how to work with your vendor in developing your ILMS. Two case studies are discussed; Ngee Ann Polytechnic (a major tertiary educational institution based in Singapore) implementation of an e-Payment/cashless solution and Department of Family and Community Services’ (an Australian Commonwealth Department) implementation of a complete Single Requests Facilitator.

VALA2004 Session 11 Genoni

Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2004-proceedings/vala2004-session-11-genoni

Virtual symposia: an investigation into scholarly communities online

VALA 2004 CONCURRENT SESSION 11: User Behaviour
Thursday 5 February 2004, 10:45 – 11:15

Dr Paul Genoni

Lecturer, Dept of Media and Information, Curtin University of Technology
www.curtin.edu.au

Dr Helen Merrick

Lecturer, Dept of Media and Information, Curtin University of Technology
www.curtin.edu.au

Dr Michele Willson

Lecturer, Dept of Media and Information, Curtin University of Technology
www.curtin.edu.au

VALA2004
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VALA2004 Session 11 Genoni Paper 62.96 KB

Abstract

This paper reports on the pilot study for a survey regarding the use of the Internet by academic staff at Curtin University of Technology for the purposes of informal scholarly communication. The survey included questions regarding the respondents’ current and evolving research practices and their use of various services provided by the University Library. The paper reports on the relevant data, and suggests ways in which this might reflect on library services, in particular the development of institutional repositories as a means of supporting the emerging types of scholarly community.

VALA2004 Session 11 Feighan

Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2004-proceedings/vala2004-session-11-feighan

Understanding the drivers of online data usage: an empirical analysis

VALA 2004 CONCURRENT SESSION 11: User Behaviour
Thursday 5 February 2004, 11:20 – 12:50

David Feighan

ISP Manager, VICNET, State Library of Victoria
http://www.vicnet.net.au

VALA2004
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VALA2004 Session 11 Feighan Paper 489.11 KB

Abstract

This paper investigates what drives online data use in 60 public library and council sites across Victoria. The results suggest that simple measures, such as hours of opening and the number of terminals, are not sufficient to account for the variations in use across the sample sites. The results also suggest these simple measures do not provide adequate data for operational and policy planning. By analysing the Internet data used over twelve months, and through case studies analysis, this paper explores what drives Internet data usage and how libraries can take greater control of their data requirements and costs.

VALA2004 Session 11 Thomsett Scott

Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2004-proceedings/vala2004-session-11-thomsett-scott

Turning Students On To Your Library’s Web Site: using web site usability techniques to improve student use of your library’s site

VALA 2004 CONCURRENT SESSION 11: User Behaviour
Thursday 5 February 2004, 11:55 – 12:30

Beth Thomsett-Scott

Science Librarian, University of North Texas, Denton, TX (USA).
http://www.library.unt.edu

VALA2004
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VALA2004 Session 11 Thomsett Scott Paper 30.92 KB

Abstract

This paper will introduce the concept of web site usability, provide a brief introduction to the techniques and offer examples from two “real life” studies that show how the techniques of formal usability studies, focus groups, and card sorts can be used and offer tips and tricks for employing these techniques.

VALA2004 Session 12 Sutherland

Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2004-proceedings/vala2004-session-12-sutherland

An OpenURL resolver (SFX) in action: the answer to a librarian’s prayer or a burden for technical services?

VALA 2004 CONCURRENT SESSION 12: Access to Information
Thursday 5 February 2004, 10:45 – 11:15

Alison Sutherland

Bibliographic Services Librarian, Curtin University of Technology
http://library.curtin.edu.au

Peter Green

e-Library Development Librarian, Curtin University of Technology
http://library.curtin.edu.au

VALA2004
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VALA2004 Session 12 Sutherland Paper 122.10 KB

Abstract

This paper will reflect on the experience of installing, configuring and maintaining the Ex Libris’ OpenURL resolver – SFX. Particular attention will be paid to the extraordinary usefulness of this tool for gluing together the components of the resource discovery process. This paper will discuss the level of staffing required to maintain the resolver service, the skill sets required by those staff and the place of an OpenURL resolver within the extended ILMS. Finally the authors will speculate on the future of such a service within the portfolio of online services offered by a university library.

VALA2004 Session 12 Stumm

Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2004-proceedings/vala2004-session-12-stumm

Collection-level description: separating the woods from the trees

VALA 2004 CONCURRENT SESSION 12: Access to Information
Thursday 5 February 2004, 11:20 – 12:50

Deborah Stumm

Manager, Digital Library Strategy, State Library of New South Wales
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au

Susanne Moir

Coordinator, Bibliographic Access, State Library of New South Wales
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au

Meredith Lawn

Archivist, Original Materials Branch, State Library of New South Wales
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au

VALA2004
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VALA2004 Session 12 Stumm Paper 121.49 KB

Abstract

This paper describes a project at the State Library of NSW to develop structured machine- readable collection descriptions to provide online access to our collection strengths.

VALA2004 Session 12 Groenewegen

Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2004-proceedings/vala2004-session-12-groenewegen

Designing a Digital Databases Page

VALA 2004 CONCURRENT SESSION 12: Access to Information
Thursday 5 February 2004, 11:55 – 12:30

David Groenewegen

Digital Resources Librarian, Monash University Library
http://www.lib.monash.edu.au

Simon Huggard

Systems Manager, Monash University Library
http://www.lib.monash.edu.au

VALA2004
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VALA2004 Session 12 Groenewegen Paper 589.40 KB

Abstract

During 2003 Monash University Library engaged in a major redesign of the library databases web site. The basis of this was a program which used MARC records from Monash’s Endeavour Voyager catalogue to generate online electronic journal subject lists. The new databases page was intended to make for easier updating, and to allow us to respond to known user issues. In theory this was straightforward. In practice a number of issues were raised. The paper looks at how Monash resolved these issues, while commenting on the relationship between metadata and technology. Some future directions will also be discussed.

VALA2004 Session 13 Richardson

Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2004-proceedings/vala2004-session-13-richardson

Selecting an ILMS for a future you can’t imagine

VALA 2004 CONCURRENT SESSION 13: Extending the ILMS
Thursday 5 February 2004, 14:00 – 14:30

Joanna Richardson

Associate Director, Information Access Services, Bond University Library
http://www.bond.edu.au

Peta Hopkins

Systems and Cataloguing Librarian, Bond University Library
http://www.nla.gov.au

VALA2004
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VALA2004 Session 13 Richardson Paper 46.23 KB

Abstract

The changing nature of the ILMS selection process is examined in light of factors such as user expectations and behaviour, emerging technologies and standards, and the evolution of new business models .The paper focuses on core ILMS functionalities rather than federated searching and other related products. The authors include a brief discussion of the experiences of Bond University Library in reviewing current options in the ILMS marketplace.

VALA2004 Session 13 Pearce

Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2004-proceedings/vala2004-session-13-pearce

The Hybrid Library Revisited

VALA 2004 CONCURRENT SESSION 13: Extending the ILMS
Thursday 5 February 2004, 14:35 – 15:05

Judith Pearce

Director, Web services, National Library of Australia
http://www.nla.gov.au

Monica Berko

Director, Applications, National Library of Australia
http://www.nla.gov.au

VALA2004
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VALA2004 Session 13 Pearce Paper 35.73 KB

Abstract

Four years out, this paper revisits the theme of VALA2000 and looks at the extent to which integrated library management systems have been developed to operate as hybrid library systems by focussing on the National Library of Australia’s requirements in this area. A range of commercial portal products now extend (and may eventually replace) the OPAC. However, there is still a gap in the market place for workflow systems supporting the routine digitisation of collection material. In addition, library system vendors are only just beginning to provide the level of support needed by libraries that wish to build innovative web-based services based on the catalogue.