LIASA Tenth Annual Conference - 2008

The Tenth Annual LIASA Conference provides an opportunity to debate, share and learn about the changing roles of LIS in South Africa, Africa and globally in the new millennium. In South Africa, different LIS sectors have experienced the South African Society in transition. LIASA is entering into its second decade of existence. Funding has been finally made available to the public libraries and will relieve some of the pressure that public librarians have carried for a decade.

Academic libraries have gone through a series of changes as a result of the mergers. How well has the LIS sector fared in contributing to a democratic South Africa, nation building and the creation of a society that values and respects diversity? How does the LIS sector position itself for the next decade in the transformed society of South Africa? What is the role of LIS on the African continent in the second decade of the new millennium? What is the role of South African and African LIS in the global space and how can it be realized?

Local and international professional colleagues and partners are invited to participate in discussions and workshops around the proposed topics.

Date: 6-10 October 2008
Venue: Cape Town, Cape Town Convention Centre
Theme: Looking ahead: the changing role of LIS

You are invited to submit proposals for papers & posters that will focus on areas related to the theme of the conference. The deadline for receipt of proposals/abstracts is 28 March 2008. Topics such as the following will be considered for inclusion in the conference programme:
* Partnerships for the future
* The future role of national libraries
* The future role of public libraries
* The future role of academic libraries
* The future role of special libraries
* The future role of school libraries
* The future role of LIS associations
* Libraries and preservation of national heritage
* Access to information and freedom of expression
* Information literacy
* Indigenous knowledge systems
* Knowledge management
* Nation building and development: the role of libraries
* Education and training
* Reference in digital environments (Instant Messaging, Text Messaging (SMS), and other emerging modes for offering reference services and Web 2.0 applications)
* Digital Library applications in e-science, e-learning, e-government, cultural heritage, etc.
* Bridging the digital divide
* Service delivery in challenging environments, especially where the infrastructure may be sub-optimal as in some developing countries, or where the user group represents particular challenges
* Electronic Theses and Dissertations: Current status and strategy
* The future role of ethics in the management of libraries
* Institutional repositories/ self-archiving
* The future role of standards in the management of libraries
* Research agenda in LIS

WorldCat @ Facebook

WorldCat Facebook application now available

The new WorldCat Facebook application provides access to WorldCat searches and user-created lists from personalized pages within a Facebook account.The application includes a home screen with the WorldCat search box, as well as quick links to WorldCat searches based on topics listed in a Facebook profile as personal interests.

The application also includes:
* a built-in, advanced WorldCat search;
* a panel that allows users to invite other Facebook friends to install WorldCat;
* a "Something to Read" panel that displays books recently added to WorldCat lists; and
* a "Favorite WorldCat Lists" panel where users track their own lists or those of other WorldCat users. OCLC (eNews Issue 2, 21 February 2008) Contribution: Dr. Anette van Vuren

Google Sky @ your Browser

It is Saturday morning and I have been reading "Sky and Telescope newsletter" on my e-mail, when I saw the announcement of the new Google development - Google Sky. I click on the link and the sky came directly in front of me. For those like me, who love watching the evening sky & what is out there, I'm providing some additional information on this new web tool.
Google has unveiled a browser version of its Google Sky application on Thursday, 13th March for people who don't want to download the Google Earth software. Prior, to access "Sky", users needed to download and install the "Google Earth" application - the Web-based mapping software. "Google Sky" was introduced as an additional feature to "Google Earth" (version 4.2) in August last year.This browser version of Google Sky allows you to zoom in and out the celestial bodies, search for planets, constellations and galaxies and view the sky through infrared, x-ray, ultraviolet, and microwave views. There are also galleries of some of the best pictures from the Hubble telescope and others. You can also listen to podcasts and look at historical maps of the sky.
Enjoy the exciting sky world through Google.

ISI Web of Science: New Interface

The ISI Web of Knowledge databases have been given a "makeover" - a new interface!

Personally, I find this new interface user-friendly and easy to use and navigate. ISI is yet another Publisher who has implemented the RSS feeds as means to provide current information.

The availability of simultaneous search of all subscribed ISI databases will save time and provide one portal to find the latest information.

We can access the following databases:

- Current Content Conect databases

- SSCI, SCI and A&HCI

- Journal Citation Report (JCR)

The main features of ISI new interface are:

1. You have an option to either search:

>ALL DATABASES
>SELECT A DATABASE ( Science Citation Index, Currents Contents Connect & Journal Citation Report: JCR) or search
>ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ( Web search tools - Thomson Scientific WebPlus; Web sites - ISIHighlyCited.com, Biology Browser, Index to Organism Names, in-cites, ResearcherID.com, Science Watch, Special Topics & Thomson Scientific). These products and Web sites provide a variety of data and analysis relevant to research.

2. Advanced Search Option

> You have three fields where you can type your: TOPIC/KEYWORD, TITLE, AUTHOR, PUBLICATION NAME or YEAR PUBLISHED. These you select from the drop down menu next to the search box. You can add additional fields if you need more.
> To help you find the right TOPIC/KEYWORD next to the search box have an icon "magnifying glass" or TOPIC INDEX. If you CLICK on that it will take you to the next screen where you can use the browse feature to locate terms to add to your query. Instructions are available.
> You can LIMIT your search to specific years requirements - Latest (current) week, all years, latest 5 years, etc.

> On the RIGHT side of the searching screen you can find more information on the available databases, you can CUSTOMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE - once you register you can save and manage your references, save and run searches, create alerts and RSS feeds, choose your start page. My ResearcherID is a website where invited researchers can register for a unique researcher ID number. At this site, users can:

* Update their profile information

* Build their publication list using Web of Science search services or uploading a file

* Select to make their profile public or private.

3. Search Results Screen

>Sort Results option: Publication Date, Relevence, First Author & Source Title

>Number of Results per page option (find it at the bottom of the results page): 10, 25, 50

>Refine Results option -If there are too many results you can narrow your search by typing additional keyword. You can also refine your search by: General Categories; Subject Areas, Document Type, Author, Source Title, Publication year & Language. For more REFINE search options use: Analyse Results. The system produces a report showing the values in ranked order.

>Print, E-mail, Add to Marked list, Save to EndNote options options

>If you Click on the TITLE of the individual record you can read the Abstract; have an interactive links to the Author's works; Cited by option; Related Records; Record References, View Additional Information; You can EXPORT the record to EndNote and other Reference software. Under each record you can see options: Links & Full-text.

4. Search History option

You can view your previous search results. You can combined the with the Boolean Operators (AND & OR) to narrow your results to suit your search query.

5. Marked List option
You can view a list with your MARKED records

6. My Cited Articles Alert
In order to create/access My Cited Articles List, you must sign in or register. Benefits of creating My Cited Articles List:

* You will receive an e-mail alert each time an article on the list is cited in a new article

* You will be able to receive an RSS feed to view new articles that cite articles on the list

* You can add an article to the list from its full record page

* You will be able to access your selected articles from any computer at the institution

7. My Journal List

In order to create My Journal List, you must sign in or register. Benefits of creating My Journal List:

* You can receive e-mail alerts of the latest Table of Contents for your selected journals.

* You will be able to receive RSS feeds of the latest Table of Contents for your selected journals.

* You will be able to access your selected journals from any computer at the institution.

* You can open the latest Table of Contents for your selected journals directly from the ISI Web of Knowledge home page.

8. My Saved Searches
In order to access your Search Histories saved to the ISI Web of Knowledge Server, you must sign in. Benefits of saving search histories on the ISI Web of Knowledge Server:

* E-mail alerts can be created from your saved search histories.

* RSS feeds can be created from your saved search histories.

* You will be able to access your saved histories from any computer at the institution.

* You can open saved histories directly from the ISI Web of Knowledge home page.

9. My EndNote Web (RefWorks is not available)
In order to create and access your EndNote Web Library, you must sign in or register. Benefits of creating an EndNote Web Library:

* You can add references to your EndNote Web Library directly from Web of Science and other ISI Web of Knowledge products.

* You can organize references in folders for access and use at any time--collections are retained between sessions.

* You can create formatted reference lists in a variety of publishing styles.

* You will be able to access your EndNote Web Library from any computer at the institution.

10. Help menu
Every time you need help with searches or any other menu option, click on HELP ( top right on the screen).

Collaboration, Sharing, Knowledge @ VUMA Portal

I have attended a workshop, where we had been introduced to the latest project from FOTIM (Foundation of Tertiary Institutions of the Northern Metropolis) - the VUMA! Portal (http://www.vuma.ac.za). The purpose of the workshop was also for FOTIM to learn more on: How to enhance this Portal, how to promote, etc.

Below I'm giving you a short explanation about this initiative and how can be used by students and academics.VUMA is an initiative of FOTIM. The members of FOTIM are: University of Limpopo, North-West University, University of Johannesburg, Tshawane University of Technology, University of Witwatersrand, Vaal University of Technology, University of Venda, University of Pretoria and University of South Africa. The first phase of the Vuma! Portal was launched in October 2007.

To succeed at university, students are expected to show proficiency in many skills, including language and literacy, thinking skills, numeracy, communication and presentation skills, study skills, computer skills and others.

The Vuma! Portal is FOTIM’s attempt to pool the information and resources of its member institutions to support students in their university lives. Through partnerships formed with students, universities, funders and other providers, FOTIM aims to support the VUMA! Community growth as open, free environment, that gives students the opportunity to explore responsibly the many issues relating to university life and entering the workplace.

The Portal is intended to serve the collaborative needs of tertiary institutions, enabling them to enhance the learning experience of current and prospective students while creating a platform for academic collaboration and support. The Vuma! Portal space can be used by students to meet other students, seek peer advice, talk to experts and share university experiences, upload resources and contribute to a growing body of knowledge.

Build on the Web 2.0 platform, the Vuma! Portal relies on the contribution of users to grow the online space. The many tools available on the Portal are:

- blogs

- discussion forums

- polls

- wikis, aimed at encouraging collaboration and sharing

Through VUMA! students will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with students from other universities, share their views, submit content, and become active contributors in building this community.

The VUMA! Portal will be a source of advice and support to teachers and parents on the challenges and pressures facing university students, and the roles that they can play in supporting students.

The VUMA! Portal university staff facility aims to become the premier location for online collaboration amongst university staff in their professional pursuits. Its core purpose will be to create a formal and informal space focused on stimulating collaborative efforts in curriculum design, materials development, resource sharing and student support.

The VUMA! Portal space for prospective students will provide a mechanism for supporting students in making the right choices as they consider their options in higher education and future careers.

How to join the Vuma! Portal?

* From the main VUMA web page, Click on the preferred option: Students, Parents & Teachers, Prospective Students, University Staff

* Create your own account

* You can access through the Navigation option: available blogs, discussion forums, polls, etc.

* You can participate with your ideas and inputs that can help students to enhance their learning, research & thinking styles by using the various wikis.

What I like most is the option : WIKIS

There are three wikis options:
* The Study Center gives an opportunity for:
- Students to collaborate with other students on topics relevant to their studies and university life.
- Academics to add useful information under the different entries. Vuma! Portal can be used to TUTOR students.
- Librarians to add their knowledge of literacy instructions
There is already information available in this space to help students with their:

- Study Skills (learning styles, critical thinking, problem-solving, mind mapping, self-confidence, reading confidence, handling lectures, etc.)
- Exam Skills (essay style, open book exam, exam preparation, etc.)

* Life Hub ( enhance your university life)

* Writing Center (basics of good writing, avoiding Plagiarism, Writing Scientific Essay, etc.)

Many LINKS are available to useful website, under each of the entries.

P.S. You can EDIT these articles & ADD NEW CONTENT!

What should the Libraries and the Academics do?

* Participate actively in this project to enhance the quality of their students' knowledge

* Promote this initiative as widely as possible

* Make sure that LINKS to the VUMA! Portal are easy to access ( EduLink, Departments web pages, Library web page, etc.)

* The Library should provide additional trainings to students on “How to use VUMA! Portal", " Web 2.0 technological tools", etc.

This PORTAL is about: Collaboration, Sharing, building Relationships, creation of new Knowledge. There are already over 1000 subscribed users. The vision of Vuma! Portal is embedded in three year strategy.

A number of issues were raised at the workshop:
- If students contribute Lectures notes, what are the implications - Intellectual property issues?
- There will be standartisation of Information literacy materials. All participating University libraries will be involved.
- It were raised questions about links to Career Information, so students can easily find jobs after their university degree is completed

This project is open to changes and will adapt to the needs of its users.

Go and have a look at this portal, get the feel of it, test it and then give us your opinion. The initiators behind this Portal (FOTIM) will greatly appreciate your comments (mail@fotim.ac.za).

Wiley-Blackwell @ UJ Library

Mathew Crook from Wiley-Blackwell visited the UJ Library on 3rd of March. We discussed the current BlackwellSynergy subscription, the upcoming integrated platform for Wiley & Blackwell titles and the available e-books collections. I have looked at the Wiley InterScience web site and added some useful links.

1. BlackwellSynergy & Wiley InterScience Journals Collections
(http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/home)- During 2008 these two collections are still separate (pricing, licensing, and access options).
- In July 2008, BlackwellSynergy will be integrated into Wiley InterScience for 6 months. We will have the opportunity to search both databases, but full-text access to the journals is only for BlackwellSynergy journals.
- Trial to Wiley InterScience will be arranged for a month during May/June for UJ user to get acquainted with the platform. - As from 2009 there will be one portfolio subscription and one unified platform to search. The new platform will have the best features of the former two.- The BlackwellSynergy journals are available full-text as from 1997+
- Full-text access to Blackwell Synergy is available through the Library Databases
- If we would like to subscribe to the Wiley journals, the current licensing agreement will be: Current print Wiley journals price + flat rate of $ 10,000 + e-access.
Here is an overview of the online journals offered by Wiley-Blackwell in 2008: * Journals on Wiley InterScience

- 472 total journals- 9 new journals- 7 transfers from other publishers- 16 offering opt-in access- 6 ending opt-in access period- 3 ceasing publication
The new journals are self sustainable. They are excluded from the current subscriptions. They are available for FREE in their 1st year of publication.

View the 2007 & 2008 Wiley new journals on:

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/aboutus/new_journals_opt-in_form.html

Wiley InterScience: BackFile journal Collections:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/browsebycollection

* Journals on Blackwell Synergy- 927 total journals
- 797 journals included in the licensed Blackwell Full Collection
- 424 journals in the Blackwell STM Collection
- 373 journals in the Blackwell SSH Collection- 15 new journals offering free access for their first year- 56 transfers from other publishers

- 5 transferring to other publishers

2. E-Books (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/browse/?type=BOOK) :In a previous post, I have mentioned that Wiley InterScience will reach the mark of 5000 e-books. Approximately 1500 books from the former Blackwell Publishing will be incorporated. The Purchasing options are:- for individual titles- purchase in bulkThere will be: flexi subscriptions (pay for 3 years) and once off payment. Price will be based on hard cover. Restriction: 1st time e-books customers will need to purchase 20 or more books. Number of discounts are available.

NEW! Wiley Books Series (21 series – 750 volumes)
(http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/aboutus/olb_series.html)

Wiley InterScience: Current Protocols Online: Current Protocols contains the largest collection of authoritative, peer-reviewed, regularly-updated research methods and topical overviews available. The library has in print “ Current Protocols in Cell Biology”. Electronic access will be more convenient to access as we experience problem with preserving the print.

(http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/browse/?type=CURRENT_PROTOCOL)

Wiley InterScience: Reference Works: View the available reference works per subject area.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/browse/?type=MRW

Wiley InterScience: Author Resources: Guidelines for submitting Journal articles or Books
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/authorservices

Wiley-Blackwell Library Newsletter; March 2008

Keep abreast with the latest Wiley-Blackwell news, by reading through this newsletter:

* View the latest news in Key Subject Areas
* New Titles online from Wiley-Blackwell (journals, books – some highlighted titles of interest)
* Platform Updates
* Conference shedules (for librarians)
* Just for fun (statistics show….; quotes about statistics)