Monday, April 27, 2015

The new economy—the Creative Economy—is an economy of continuous innovation and transformation. It is an economy of organizations and entrepreneurs that are delivering to customers what they are coming to expect, namely, “better, faster, cheaper, smaller, lighter, more convenient, and more personalized.” The Creative Economy is still relatively small, but it is the economy of the future. It includes different ways of thinking, speaking, and acting in the world. Denning shares insights, strategies, and tips for libraries and their staff to continue innovating and transforming as they head into the future, creative economy!

The Computers in Libraries 2015 exhibition will feature leading-edge companies offering vistors a choice of products in all aspects of library technology, including web-based products and services, integrated library and information systems, online services, document delivery services, internet software tools, content suppliers, search services, and more. If you are looking for a particular product, evaluating competing systems, keeping up-to-date with new products and developments, the Computers in Libraries 2015 exhibition is a must-attend.

This popular annual favorite features our super searcher who continues to surprise and impress with new strategies, techniques, and tips for getting the most out of web research. The host of Searchers Academy (where even more secrets are shared) provides an up-to-the minute and jam-packed-with-valuable-tools-and-tips talk that’s always a hit! Bates tells us she takes 2 days to research this session. Take advantage of her knowledge and gather tips and tools to share with others!

Web search continues to change. With an increasing emphasis on graph search, knowledge entities, and structured data, more results are coming from large knowledgebases instead of just from webpages. Explore Google’s Knowledge Graph and developing Knowledge Vault, Bing’s Snapshots, and related graph-based systems such as Facebook and WolframAlpha. Learn about how these newer initiatives are interconnected, how they help the search engines answer questions, and how they sometimes fail.

Cash concessions will be available in the Exhibit Hall for attendees to purchase lunch. Grab a bite and then visit with our extensive hall of exhibitors.

When the Library of Michigan set out for a redesign of the Michigan eLibrary (MeL;http://mel.org), it went well beyond look and feel. Even though no system at the time would accommodate real-time access to its union catalog of 14.6-plus million bibliographic records, more than 2 dozen commercial databases, a number of local history repositories, tens of thousands of curricular resources for teachers and homeschoolers, and targeted websites, it was undaunted. Learn how they built unique partnerships with Innovative and EBSCO to build and implement Encore Duet, a product tailored MeL’s unique content that, in addition to local physical collections, offers integrated searching of Michigan digital repositories, greatly expanding the reach and ease of access for users. Gather insights about the challenges, lessons learned, and future project directions.

View the Computers in Libraries 2015 exhibitor list and plan which vendors you want to see during our afternoon break. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks for all our exhibit hall breaks are compliments of Springer (Booth #519).

With more than a billion apps available, it’s difficult to tell which ones are good. Our eagle-eyed industry watcher shares 30 apps for library customers, info pros, and newbies. For Android and Apple devices, these apps will change the way you search, discover, access, and view information in and beyond the library walls.

The deep web is a massive source of data and information, but accessing and finding what you need can be difficult if you don’t have the proper tools. A frustration for librarians, both using and cataloging the content, is how to know what you have in your library when you can’t see it on the shelf. Using her law firm library as an example, Meyer discusses what they are doing to catalog and link electronic content, and how they make it as easy to find as possible for customers and end users.

Be there as we celebrate 80s style— the great decade when Computers in Libraries began! Mix and mingle with conference attendees and speakers in a relaxed atmosphere while visiting with our extensive hall of exhibitors

Do you know how to write for the modern, mobile, and interactive web? Learn from our expert how to create a content strategy, how to write for the mobile web, and how to write content that makes customers respond.

Get tips for redesigning your library’s website as well as a firm understanding of what goes into it—from initial planning, staffing, research, development, launch, post-launch and everything in between to provide a delightful online user experience for your patrons.

Cash concessions will be available in the Exhibit Hall for attendees to purchase lunch. Grab a bite and then visit with our extensive hall of exhibitors.

Realizing the increasing importance of mobile devices, the Ensor Learning Resource Center developed and released a mobile website in June 2012. Given that more and more users were coming to the library equipped with various mobile devices, staff created an effective way to provide users with access to library resources in a mobile friendly format. Using Google Analytics to track the usage of both website and mobile website, they found that users were bypassing the mobile website and accessing the library’s full website more with their mobile devices, at a rate of 10 to 1. Aided by this information, they redesigned the site and made it responsive. This eliminated the need for a stand- alone mobile website, and ensured it was optimized for a variety of different devices. Get lots of tips and tricks to do the same with your website!

View the Computers in Libraries 2015 exhibitor list and plan which vendors you want to see during our afternoon break. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks for all our exhibit hall breaks are compliments of Springer (Booth #519).

Web development technologies are constantly progressing. Libraries can take advantage of the progress to en- hance websites in both performance and look and feel. Laws discusses using technologies such as Bootstrap CSS Framework, AngularJS, and JSON to deliver a library experience that’s feature-filled and eye-pleasing to today’s web users and illustrates using websites for the Qatar campus library and the research project on Islamic Bioethics. The real upside is that libraries can control and display data in ways that allow greater control over their online presence. Chavez describes how the Phoenix PL went from a custom, Java-based and catalog-integrated website to a more out- of-the-box website and how the library rediscovered its web presence in the process.

Miami University Libraries have been deeply involved in the implementation of the Kaltura video streaming service at both the technological and policy levels. Librarians have worked to evaluate and prepare the elearning and content management platforms for integration with the streaming service as well as representing library interests on the university’s strategy team and leading the development of relevant copyright policies. Ladd presents a case study for librarians at institutions considering or preparing to incorporate HTML5-based video streaming services with subtitles as part of their platforms for digital collections (e.g., CONTENTdm, DSpace, Omeka) or elearning opportunities (e.g., Sakai).

Be there as we celebrate 80s style— the great decade when Computers in Libraries began! Mix and mingle with conference attendees and speakers in a relaxed atmosphere while visiting with our extensive hall of exhibitors

Libraries worldwide spend almost $2 billion/year on technology products and services and are constantly considering prudent strategic technology investments. Author of the “Automation Marketplace” industry report published in Library Journal from 2002–2013 and the “Library Systems Report” published by American Libraries since 2014, Breeding has the incredible ability to explain the current state of the industry and what we need to watch for in the future to factor into our technology decisions today.

It is time to implement a modern library services platform— one that allows libraries to focus on their patrons and efficiently manage rich library collections in order to exceed researcher expectations. Library staff is the most valuable resource in the library and it’s time that we utilize next generation library management systems to redeploy that resource in our libraries. Current technology hinders the library’s ability to utilize this most valuable resource in the best way. As Marshall Breeding says, “ The allocated staff time, talent, and effort has become misaligned with the character of collections and services.” D’Couto presents research into the divergence between how library staff spend their time and the services that end users actually consume. This actual observational measurement provides insight into the challenges that academic libraries are facing as they deal with predominantly digital collections. Silberger shares how implementing Intota at Marist College helped transform their library and how analysis of software supplied data informs collection decisions allowing for a more engagement-centric model. Hammons discusses the findings as they relate to change management within the library staff.

Cash concessions will be available in the Exhibit Hall for attendees to purchase lunch. Grab a bite and then visit with our extensive hall of exhibitors.

Join this panel as they share awesome mistakes of what not to do. While we all might cognitively understand that we should fail often and fail fast, many of us are skittish about revealing or even admitting the various mistakes we’ve made. But there is so much to learn when things don’t go well. Current and former public library IT directors share some of their favorite mistakes made working in library information technology. Bad decisions! Impetuous actions! Come share your favorite mistakes and learn what not to do.

View the Computers in Libraries 2015 exhibitor list and plan which vendors you want to see during our afternoon break. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks for all our exhibit hall breaks are compliments of Springer (Booth #519).

The People’s Law Library (PLL) is the Maryland Judiciary’s primary method of providing legal information and referral assistance to the public. Since 2007, the Maryland State Law Library has hosted and managed PLL. In 2010, the site was moved to Drupal 6, an open-source content management platform; and in 2014, the site was upgraded to Drupal 7 from the ground up. Learn how Drupal 7 allows librarians, attorneys, and volunteers to team up to maintain this incredible wealth of content, and how Fantail Consulting & Technologies managed the upgrade and a variety of creative site improvements.

Get some lessons learned about catalog design from the Hennepin County Library, which recently created a catalog from nothing. Find out how it found the right words and placement for features and got a catalog design up and running (including an “All” search with features from dropping in an ISBN or other identifier to calculating title pop- ularity with its “best match” default sort). Topics include new search workflow, making a very useful single search box, the never-quite-right add to list tool, what data is really useful on search results, what limiting options are most important, and more. Spalding discusses developing a library catalog starting from a social network and explores how LibraryThing developed a new product, ThingCat, an OPAC layer for libraries with small collections (up to 10,000 books). Starting with the notion that it would just remove all the community data and cross-user linking, the library ended up rethinking and reimagining the OPAC from the “sky down,” grappling afresh with just what a library catalog is “for.” Hear what happens when you do the opposite of what BiblioCommons did—you add the OPAC to a social site, not the social to an OPAC.

Be there as we celebrate 80s style— the great decade when Computers in Libraries began! Mix and mingle with conference attendees and speakers in a relaxed atmosphere while visiting with our extensive hall of exhibitors

This session provides a case study of the NLM’s use of data-driven personas to inform its selection of a new content management system (CMS). The presentation describes what personas are and are not. It discusses the different types of personas that can be created, how they are created, and why. Widzer presents the fictional, evidence-based characters that were developed by NLM and explains how they help library staff better understand the core content management system’s users.

Our author of a book about how librarians and salespeople can work together more effectively to meet the goals and objectives of both parties shares tips and techniques to make it work for you. Whether you are a seasoned veteran in the library world or new to the profession, these positive strategies and practices can dramatically change the way your library buys information and content, helping you to negotiate more effectively with vendors and saving your organization time and money.

Cash concessions will be available in the Exhibit Hall for attendees to purchase lunch. Grab a bite and then visit with our extensive hall of exhibitors.

In Colorado and California, libraries are charting new paths for ebook hosting and lending. This session explores how two distinct open source systems emerged from common roots and evolved in different ways. DCL developed the DCL eBook Model to serve a single ILS and is now expanding the model using a hybrid of both commercial and open source systems with the eVoke Colorado statewide ebook lending project. Throughout its journey, DCL has documented and made freely available its “How to Do It” materials to help others break through restrictions traditionally imposed on library eBooks. The Califa Library Group, with partner Contra Costa County Library, were inspired by the DCL model to develop the enki library, a statewide consortium-owned ebook platform, which currently serves more than 80 library jurisdictions in California. These alternative ebook systems benefit from ongoing negotiations with publishers, which enable libraries to manage collections directly rather than license content through an aggregator. Both projects received IMLS funding and will speak to IMLS’ strategic priority of a national digital platform. By working together to avoid recreating the wheel, these institutions offer smart lessons that the library community as a whole can benefit from. Hear about their successes, challenges, and next steps as they continue to pave the way for others.

View the Computers in Libraries 2015 exhibitor list and plan which vendors you want to see during our afternoon break. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks for all our exhibit hall breaks are compliments of Springer (Booth #519).

How do library patrons, students, and readers experience a classic or rare book online? How has the digital commons affected this experience? Do commentary and marketing make a difference? Can a book be experienced digitally via immersive projects such as poetry, video, and exhibitions? And do online new editions and translations change our interpretation? Cagna examines these questions using the online versions of a classic, showing how technology has fundamentally changed the ways we can experience a book. Two Houston librarians, one at the district level and the other at the campus level, share their experiences during the pilot and implementation phases of myON from Capstone Publishing, discuss how an ebook platform provides students with a new reading experience by custom- izing suggested books based on student reading abilities and interests, and describes how teachers, librarians, and administrators can track student data, including time spent reading and comprehension skills.

Filled with lots of ideas, tips and strategies for planning, creating and deploying great content regardless of the content management system you are using, our experienced speaker will leave you with lots of insights.

Be there as we celebrate 80s style— the great decade when Computers in Libraries began! Mix and mingle with conference attendees and speakers in a relaxed atmosphere while visiting with our extensive hall of exhibitors

As educational standards, technologies, and student needs change, digital resources need to adapt. Take a peek behind the curtain at EBSCO’s Schools & Public Libraries group to see what goes into this development process as they address the Common Core, state curricula, technology trends, new devices, and more. Learn how their research on students’ user experience is informing school and public library product development.

In today’s increasingly visual environment, the idea of visual note-taking is increasingly popular. Students are doodling while listening or reading anyway, so why not incorporate this natural inclination? This presentation talks about how to work with students to take visual notes and provide additional information available about the practice, including examples of student creations. Attendees leave with a number of online resources about sketchnoting as well as specific ideas on how to use the sketchnoting concept with students and share it with colleagues.

Cash concessions will be available in the Exhibit Hall for attendees to purchase lunch. Grab a bite and then visit with our extensive hall of exhibitors.

Computer science education is troublesomely lacking from most K–12 schools, despite the fact that there is a high and growing demand for jobs in the field. A major barrier is that educators feel inadequately equipped to teach it. Our first speaker in this two-part session explores ways to turn your library into a computer science exploration space for students. No prior computer science education knowledge required! Our second speaker teaches participants about Hour of Code, Tynker, and Scratch–resources designed to introduce students to coding. Come get a sense of how each program works, learn why coding is a valuable skill, and get ideas on how to integrate coding into the curriculum and classroom.

View the Computers in Libraries 2015 exhibitor list and plan which vendors you want to see during our afternoon break. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks for all our exhibit hall breaks are compliments of Springer (Booth #519).

This session focuses on an expanded view of social media and how various platforms can support student-centered inquiry, authentic publishing opportunities and critical online competencies. The speaker discusses ways to use social media to provide “professional” roles for students to communicate and connect. Useful resources will inspire you to improve current efforts in blogging or wikis and try new arenas such as Twitter, Pinterest, or Mozilla’s Webmaker templates.

Faculty at Garrison Forest School are running a pilot ebook program for the 2014-2015 academic year. Prior to launch, the presenter Faith Ward initiated research into what e-reading was accomplishing and how students were reading dig- itally for class and homework assignments on the campus. She and other school faculty compiled a comprehensive review of the research literature on e-reading, surveyed students’ e-reading habits, provided instruction for faculty using and selecting digital texts, and observed the pros and cons of using these texts. From their observations and experiences, they have prepared guidelines for all teachers as to how to use digital books with students, ensuring success. Ward shares an overview of this process in her presentation.

Be there as we celebrate 80s style— the great decade when Computers in Libraries began! Mix and mingle with conference attendees and speakers in a relaxed atmosphere while visiting with our extensive hall of exhibitors

From one academic library’s nearly three years’ experience of provisioning and supporting 3D printing services across disciplinary and organizational boundaries, this exploration of the realities of 3D printing discusses who’s using the services, and for what, problem resolution tips, and more.

Mobile devices are an integral part of everyday life. As mobile device adoption tops 90% globally and nearly 90% of people’s time is spent in apps, your library needs to be equipped to reach this mobile population. A mobile app is no longer a technology of the future—it’s a must for staying relevant in today’s digital world and connecting with your customers in a way they are accustomed to.

Imagine having a Google-Analytics-style dashboard for your library building: number of visits, what patrons browsed, what parts of the library were busy during which parts of the day, and more. Measure the Future is going to make that happen by using simple and inexpensive sensors that can collect data about building usage that is now invisible. Making these invisible occurrences explicit will allow librarians to make strategic decisions that create more efficient and effective experiences for their patrons. Come learn about this new project, and how it might help your library.

Is your budget tight? Space limited? Have great ideas but just need help getting them going? The library world is full of great thinkers and creative people. Through talking with other libraries across the country, here are some great ideas that were done on a small or no budget at all. Attend this session for tips on how to get your next BIG idea implemented. We will discuss everything from program ideas to cool tech solutions.

Capturing machine printed text can reach 100% accuracy with basic Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for searchable content and metadata extraction, but what makes hand-printed and hand-written content such a challenge and how is the industry responding? Get an overview of the current trends in document capture and hear about the advances in current capture technologies to include Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) and Intelligent Word Recognition (IWR).

It sometimes seems as though every individual and organization is on popular social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, making it imperative for your organization to be there too. At the same time, new platforms emerge on a nearly daily basis. What is the best response to the overwhelming demands social media places on your limited time and resources? Get some basic strategies, including setting goals for your communications, selecting and managing platforms, and matching content to platform.

Hear about the societal trends that IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations) identified in a recent report after consultation with information industry leading thinkers. Scheeder, a long-time industry practitioner, looks at the societal trends identified by the IFLA report and discusses what they mean for the change agenda for libraries and librarian.