OPENING KEYNOTE
Shannon Suite
Next Generation Libraries:
The 2.0 Phenomenon
09:00 – 10:00
Stephen Abram, President-Elect, SLA, and SirsiDynix (Canada)

The global conversation going on right now about the next generation of the web and the next generation of users is happening under the name of Web 2.0. It’s where true human interaction takes precedence over merely ‘cool’ information delivery and e-mail. The conversation is about putting information into the real context of our users’ lives, work and play. Concurrently, there’s another big conversation about the vision for what Library 2.0 might look like in this Web 2.0 ecosystem. What are the skills and competencies that Library 2.0 will need? Come hear what Web 2.0 is and what adaptations we’ll need to make to thrive in the future. Are we focusing on the real end-user’s needs? Are we preparing our learners for the world that will be or the one that was? The Millennials and the post-Millennials are different, very different. What can we do to prepare our users and learners for this new world? Stephen Abram, VP of Innovation, SirsiDynix, and chief strategist, SirsiDynix Institute, will explain how we can best capitalise on the changes created by web searching, the Millennials and 2.0.

Session A102 – The Impact of 2.0
11:45 — 12:30
Ken Chad, Ken Chad Consulting Limited (UK)
Dave Pattern, University of Huddersfield (UK)
Edward W. Vergragt, Sales Manager, EMEA, Collexis (The Netherlands)

Part of a wider context of technological change, 2.0 both alters modes of production and creates a new social economy and new business models. Libraries are beginning to respond by liberating their data for re-use and working in a more open way with users and partners. Although some are unhappy with the rise in user-created content, the UK government has acknowledged the importance of aspects of the new information economy and libraries' response involved a more open, collaborative approach. At Huddersfield University, the OPAC utilises such 2.0 features as social borrowing suggestions, RSS, ratings, Greasemonkey scripts and OpenSearch integration.

Session B103 – 23 Things
13:45 — 14:30
Helene Blowers, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (USA)
Bente Jensen, Copenhagen Public Library (Denmark)
Sara Jorgensen, Herning Public Library (Denmark)

Library 2.0 is characterised by community, collaboration and creativity. As new opportunities arise, library staff are beginning to shed old paradigms and take a dip in the Library 2.0 pool. At the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, Helen Blowers introduced the concept of ‘23 Things’, which encourages staff to explore new technologies. In Denmark, three libraries; Copenhagen Public Libraries, Randers Public Library and Herning Public Library joined forces to translate and adjust ‘23 Things’ to Danish circumstances.

Session C101 – Challenges of Digital Library Service
Rosalind Pan, University College Dublin Library (Ireland)

The library at University College Dublin, the largest in Ireland, is undergoing a very rapid restructuring, with a particular focus on research. This creates pressures and challenges for librarians, since the traditional turgid pace in academia does not fit with the ‘subversive’ and rather unmanageable nature of new technologies such as Second Life, blogs, podcasts and RSS feeds.

Session C102 – Introducing Library 2.0 in Norwegian Libraries
Thomas Brevik, Royal Norwegian Naval Academy (Norway)

Norway is a small country with inadequate funding for libraries. A
government-funded project, the Library Lab, attempts to introduce Web 2.0 functionality to ordinary libraries to improve their web presence and interaction with library users on the net.

Session C104 – Catching the Sun: Challenges of a Global Collaboration
Mary Peterson, Royal Adelaide Hospital (Australia)
Graeme Miller, Head of UK Sales, OCLC PICA (UK)

Award-winning virtual reference service, Catching the Sun (CTS), is a unique collaborative venture, formed originally by librarians in Australia and England. It takes advantage of time zone differences between continents to allow clinicians working nights to have direct contact with a librarian working days. Many enhancements have occurred since its launch in 2004 and interest from librarians in other countries has been increasing. Challenges and frustrations encountered will be discussed.

Session C105 – Accelerating Networking Skills in a Developing Country Context
Eckson Mokoena, CSIR (South Africa)
Martie van Deventer, CSIR (South Africa)

The sudden influx of young, newly trained, junior researchers necessitated a knowledge management programme to fast track their assimilation into appropriate research and business networks. A virtual research environment project served as a stepping stone. Librarians play a pivotal role by facilitating and creating an environment conducive to integrating relevant tools for social networks. Electronic training materials are being used now and the plan is to data mine the CSIR’s contact and client systems to analyse formal networks.

Session C107 – Information on the Road
Rauha Lönn, Helsinki City Library (Finland)

Best practices at Helsinki City Library digital reference services include
a question and answer archive as a knowledge database, bringing reference work outside the library and activating the entire staff in digital reference service. Text mining is used to develop and facilitate use of the archive. This presentation describes work organisation and requirements for involving staff.

Session C108 – Promoting Librarian Welfare
Adil Adnan, Iqra Millenium University (Pakistan)

More than 500 library professionals from Pakistan and other countries are sharing and enhancing knowledge and skills through an online group called Librarian Welfare, which is on Yahoo! Groups. An in-depth content analysis of e-mail messages show useful activities, such as information-sharing, job announcements, reference service, debates about challenges and opportunities in Pakistan and encouragement to improve services. This group has the power to reinvigorate the Pakistan Library Association.