The Source: news about digital libraries and library innovations from around the web

Introducing The Source

Futures thinking for academic librarians (Note: PDF)

From the American Library Association (ALA) website

This new report prompts academic librarians to consider what trends may impact the future of higher education in order to take strategic action now. The report presents 26 possible scenarios for the future, which may have an impact on all types of academic libraries over the next 15 years. The scenarios, which are based on implications assessment of current trends and reflect a variety of potential futures for higher education, represent a variety of themes relating to:

• academic culture
• demographics
• distance education
• funding
• globalisation
• infrastructure/facilities
• libraries
• political climate
• publishing industry
• societal values
• students/learning and technology
  

The life of the space: Evidence from Nova Scotia Public Libraries

From the Evidenced Based Library & Information Practice (EBLIP) journal

The objective of this article is to describe aspects of the 21st century role of the public library as a physical space by observing the actual use of a selection of public libraries. This study seeks to reveal how patrons are using and experiencing these institutions as spaces and how patrons and staff characterise the role of public libraries in communities.
A multiple case study design was used to examine three urban and three small town public libraries within Nova Scotia, Canada. A number of common themes about the use and perception of these spaces emerged, yet when examined individually each library was also revealed to be a unique place, reflecting the particular qualities of the community and the physical space of the library building itself. It is clear that public libraries are complex institutions, which play a variety of valuable roles in the community.


Learning from Chatting: How our Virtual Reference questions are giving us answers

From the Evidenced Based Library & Information Practice (EBLIP) journal

This research compares two types of online reference services and attempts to determine whether the same sorts of questions are being asked; which questions are being asked most often; and whether patron and staff behaviour is consistent or different in the two types of online reference sessions. Patron satisfaction with the two types of online reference services is also examined.
Results of the analysis suggest that patrons are using VR and MSN IM services differently. In general, VR questions tend to be more research intensive and formal, while IM questions are less focused on academic research and informal. Library staff and patrons appear to alter their behaviour depending upon which online environment they are in. User surveys demonstrated that patrons are generally satisfied with either type of online reference assistance.
Both types of online reference service are meeting the needs of patrons, being used for different purposes and in different ways. The relationship building that appears to take place more naturally in IM interactions demonstrates the benefits of librarians being more approachable with patrons in order to provide a more meaningful service.


Seeing standards: A visualization of the metadata universe

From the Indiana University Digital Library Program website

The sheer number of metadata standards in the cultural heritage sector is overwhelming, and their inter-relationships further complicate the situation. This new resource is intended to assist planners with the selection and implementation of metadata standards.
‘Seeing standards’ is in two parts:

1. a poster-sized visualisation plotting standards based on their applicability in a variety of contexts
2. a glossary of metadata standards in either poster or pamphlet form.
   

The Source: news about digital libraries and library innovations from around the web

Introducing The Source


Culture of innovation: An economic analysis of innovation in arts and cultural organisations (Note: PDF)

From the National Endowment for Science Technology & the Arts (NESTA) website

Seemingly a paradox exists in the arts: creativity and novelty lie at the heart of all artistic endeavour, yet funders call on arts and cultural organisations to be more innovative. Understanding this paradox is one of the reasons why the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) embarked on the research on which this report is based.
Working with one of the world's leading cultural economists, Australian David Throsby, and two of the UK's premier cultural institutions, the report proposes a framework for innovation that can be used by both arts funders and arts organisations. It describes the rich ways that arts and cultural organisations innovate in audience reach, push out artistic frontiers and create economic and cultural value.


Creative industries economic analysis: final report (Note: PDF)

From the Enterprise Connect website

The importance of creativity and innovation in driving tangible economic outcomes has been recently rediscovered. It is becoming increasingly apparent that there is a vibrant and valuable group of economic activities that create and transform the imagination as well as goods and services. This study seeks to provide greater clarity about the economic dimensions of creative industries as a driver of wealth creation, employment, competitiveness and prosperity.


Library Consortia and the Future of Academic Libraries (Note: PDF)

From the Collaborative Librarianship News website

Academic libraries are at the crossroads of dramatic change, and the pressure to adapt is increasing due to the consequences of the severe downturn of 2008-2009. Major concerns include ongoing budget stagnation and/or budget cuts and the need to acquire serials materials whose costs rise annually at unsustainable rates. In order to save money and streamline operations, taking advantage of consortial arrangements to eliminate redundant activities among member libraries seems more significant than ever. Fortunately, new internet-based technologies make collaboration more possible than ever before. Library consortia are uniquely positioned to help their member libraries in this collaborative process.


A library without books?

From the Curriculum Leadership website

A concerted analysis will find that there is a dramatic difference between a 'school library' and an information services unit, a difference that has to do with both perception and the actual situation. There is a vital and growing need for information professionals with a strong understanding of teaching and learning to play a central role in the school's operations. The standing of the teacher librarian position, rightly or wrongly, is closely correlated to that staff member's success in integrating the latest information technologies into the school's educational program. Teacher librarians who have moved from the traditional model of the school library to the creation of an information services unit are today generally very well positioned to continue to play a significant role in schooling.

Web Harvest 2010: The end

This is a tardy note to let you all know that the New Zealand Web Harvest 2010 recently wrapped up with 170 million URLs collected in three weeks and two days.

Contrast that with 106 million URLs in ten days back in October 2008.

We should have more detailed statistics (and comparisons to 2008) over the next few weeks.

Thanks everyone.

The Source: news about digital libraries and library innovations from around the web

Introducing The Source


The economics of copyright and digitisation: A report on the literature and the need for further research (Note: PDF)

From the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property Policy (SABIP) website

This report undertakes a critical overview of the theoretical and empirical economic literature on copyright and unauthorised copying, and highlights two issues, which are in particular need of further research in order to inform copyright policy:

• How does digital copying affect the supply of copyright works?
• Does the copyright system entail obstacles to desirable aspects of technological transition?
  

On the issue of copyright and digitisation the report states: It is certain that digitisation will continue to alter the cost structure and demand for many copyright works and that new related products and services will emerge.


The Digital Agenda for Europe

From the European Commission Information Society website

'The Digital Agenda' is Europe's strategy for a flourishing digital economy by 2020. It outlines policies and actions to maximise the benefit of the Digital Revolution for all. To achieve these goals, the Commission will work closely with national governments, concerned organisations and companies. An annual Digital Assembly will bring stakeholders together to assess progress and emerging challenges.


Knowledge = Information in context: On the importance of semantic contextualisation in Europeana (Note: PDF)

From the Europeana website

This article looks at the key role linked data will play in Europeana’s development and in helping Europe’s citizens make connections between existing knowledge to achieve new cultural and scientific developments. Without linked data, Europeana could be seen as a simple collection of digital objects. With linked data, the potential is far greater, as the author of the white paper, Prof. Stefan Gradmann, explains.


Internet Trends (Note: PDF)

From the Morgan Stanley website

If you’re interested in the internet today and what the future holds, this report by Mary Meeker is essential reading. Meeker’s “Internet Trends” reports are regularly quoted (as is she) and contain numerous charts full of current statistics, many that can’t be find anywhere else.
Meeker, a managing director of Morgan Stanley, is one of the best known and most respected internet analysts out there. Her latest “Internet Trends” report contains 53 slides and is divided into several topics:
1. Mobile Internet
2. Innovation
3. Online Advertising
4. Online Commerce
5. Communications
6. Cloud Computing
7. Technology (What’s Next)
8. Beyond Technology


Best practices for Government Libraries 2010: The new face of value (Note: PDF)

From the LexisNexis website

This collaborative document is put out annually on a specific topic of interest to government libraries and includes content submitted by government librarians and community leaders with an interest in government libraries. The 2010 edition includes over 70 articles and other submissions provided by more than 60 contributors from librarians in government agencies, courts, and the military, as well as from professional association leaders, LexisNexis Consultants, and more.
Articles include:

• Strategic Planning and the Value of Libraries
• Creators of the Future
• Authenticity, Authority, Accuracy, and Accessibility
• Answering the Call
• Corporate Memory 2.0
• Advocacy, Competence, and Service: Experiences in Librarianship
  

Demographic transformation and the future of museums (Note: PDF)

From the Center for the Future of Museums website

The Center for the Future of Museums’ 2008 forecasting report, ‘Museums & Society 2034: Trends and Potential Futures’ [Note: PDF], highlighted a disconnect between trends in American demography and patterns of museum visitation. CFM's new report ‘Demographic Transformation and the Future of Museums’, explores the implications of these findings and is a catalyst for the field to expand their efforts to reach diverse audiences. The report:

• summarises current research on demographic change, patterns of museum use tied to race/ethnicity
• explores the attitudes of the Millennial generation towards museums
• presents case studies from six museums pioneering ways to reach diverse audiences
• recommends improvements to how museums conduct research and share data
• points to online resources for demographic information and socio-economic indicators
• concludes with a call to action from AAM to individual museums and the field
  

The Idea of Order: Transforming research collections for 21st century scholarship (Note: PDF)

From the Council on Library and Information Resources website

'The Idea of Order' explores the transition from an analogue to a digital environment for knowledge access, preservation, and reconstitution, and the implications of this transition for managing research collections. The volume comprises three reports:

• ‘Can a New Research Library be All-Digital?’ explores the degree to which a new research library can eschew print

• ‘On the Cost of Keeping a Book’ argues that from the perspective of long-term storage, digital surrogates offer a considerable cost savings over print-based libraries

• ‘Ghostlier Demarcations’, examines how well large text databases being created by Google Books and other mass-digitisation efforts meet the needs of scholars, and the larger implications of these projects for research, teaching, and publishing.

The Source: news about digital libraries and library innovations from around the web

Introducing The Source

The mobile internet report

From the Morgan Stanley website

Ramping faster than desktop internet, the mobile internet will be bigger than most think according to this US report. Key points:

• Material wealth creation / destruction should surpass earlier computing cycles. The mobile Internet cycle, the 5th cycle in 50 years, is just starting. Winners in each cycle often create more market capitalization than in the last. New winners emerge, some incumbents survive – or thrive – while many past winners falter
• The mobile Internet is ramping faster than desktop internet did, and we believe more users may connect to the internet via mobile devices than desktop PCs within 5 years
• Five IP-based products / services are growing / converging and providing the underpinnings for dramatic growth in mobile internet usage – 3G adoption + social networking + video + VoIP + impressive mobile devices
• Apple + Facebook platforms serving to raise the bar for how users connect / communicate – their respective ramps in user and developer engagement may be unprecedented
• Decade-plus internet usage / monetisation ramps for mobile internet in Japan plus desktop internet in developed markets provide roadmaps for global ramp and monetisation
• Massive mobile data growth is driving transitions for carriers and equipment providers
• Emerging markets have material potential for mobile internet user growth. Low penetration of fixed-line telephone and already vibrant mobile value-added services mean that for many EM users and SMEs, the Internet will be mobile
  

The fate of the semantic web (Note: PDF)

From the Pew Internet & American Life Project website

Technology experts and stakeholders who participated in a recent US survey believe online information will continue to be organised and made accessible in smarter and more useful ways in coming years, but there is stark dispute about whether the improvements will match the visionary ideals of those who are working to build the semantic web. Below are links to video and summaries of several sessions at FutureWeb 2010, in which experts from this survey discuss the future of the internet:

• Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project, delivered a keynote on the Future of the Web and answered audience questions

Lee's interviews with:

• Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, and Danny Weitzner, formerly W3C Technology & Society Policy director, now the associate administrator for policy at the United States National Telecommunications and Information Administration
• Vint Cerf , Internet Protocol co-innovator and Google vice president
• Danah Boyd, of Microsoft and Harvard University's Berkman Center, addressing the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead
• Doc Searls, co-author of “The Cluetrain Manifesto,” senior editor for Linux Journal, and fellow at the Berkman Center at Harvard and at the Center for Information Technology & Society at the University of California at Santa Barbara, on the influence of the Web (includes a public question-and-answer session)
• Bob Young, CEO of Lulu.com, on the future of publishing
• Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, on the future of the Web