Cyberinfrastructure Facilitators

“Cyberinfrastructure Facilitators: New Approaches to Information Professionals for E-Research” Oxford e-Research’08 Conference, Oxford, UK.

Abstract: This paper introduces the concept of a CI-Facilitator defined as a vital member of the research enterprise who works closely with researchers to identify extant tools, data sets, and other resources that can be integrated into the process of pursuing a research objective. In order to prepare CI-Facilitators to evolve with e-Research endeavors they must be grounded in deep conceptual frameworks that do not go out of date as quickly as any given cyberinfrastructure technology. One such framework, that of participatory librarianship, is presented here and explored in terms of tackling the issue of massive scale data in research. Participatory librarianship is grounded in conversation theory and seeks to organize information as a knowledge process rather than as discreet objects in some taxonomy.
Slides: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/Presentations/2008/Oxford.pdf
Audio: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/pod/2008/Oxford.mp3
Video: http://ptbed.org/downloads/Oxford-Record.mp4

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Reference Renaissance: CALL FOR PRINT PROCEEDINGS

CALL FOR PRINT PROCEEDINGS

?Creating a Reference Renaissance: Current & Future Trends (title tentative)?

Edited by Marie L. Radford & R. David Lankes
To be published in 2009 by: Neal-Schuman Publishers

?This book will include the best research papers and reports from the field which have originated in presentations from the Reference Renaissance: Current & Future Trends conference, held August 4-5, 2008 in Denver, CO (http://www.bcr.org/referencerenaissance/).

All conference presenters are invited to submit research papers and reports from the field which will be peer reviewed for selection by the book’s two editors (Radford and Lankes) with the help of a selection committee recruited from members of the conference program planning committee.

Contributed papers of two types are sought.

  1. Current Research in Reference. The first section of the print proceedings will be composed of chapters on recent research in reference. These will be drawn from the best of the submissions from the conference research papers and will be peer reviewed. Submissions for these chapters should be approximately 20-25 pages in length (12 pt type, double spaced) and should include the following:

    Abstract (250 words)
    Title
    Research Problem
    Significance of Problem
    Literature Review
    Method of Data Collection
    Method of Analysis
    Results
    Discussion of Results
    Implications for Practice
    Bibliography of Cited References
    Biographical sketches for each author (Approximately 300 words each)

  2. Current Reference Initiatives – Reports from the Field. The second section of the print proceedings will feature “Reports from the Field” that describe innovative approaches to traditional as well as virtual reference initiatives. Submissions for these chapters should be approximately 10-15 pages in length (12 pt type, double spaced) and should include the following:

    Title
    Abstract (250 words)
    Description of library context (e.g., type of library, users, any relevant history, etc.)
    Detailed description of reference initiative. Sufficient detail so that others can replicate the initiative at their institution if desired.
    Assessment of initiative (or planned assessment)
    Bibliography of Cited References, Websites & Publications that discuss similar initiatives.
    Biographical sketches for each author (Approximately 300 words each)

Paper Submission Instructions

All contributed papers for both types of chapters should include author(s) name, job title, institution, address, phone, fax, and e-mail address. Contributions should be in Word doc or docx format. Please indicate whether you are submitting a type 1 (Research Paper) or type 2 (Report from the Field) contribution. E-mail all submissions to: Marie L. Radford ([email protected]).

?Deadlines

?Completed Papers Due: November 7, 2008?Notification of Acceptance (with suggested revisions): February 1, 2009
Final Revisions Due Back to Editors: March 15, 2009?Book to be published in 2009???

Conversation Prism

Scott Nicholson pointed me to this graphic:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/briansolis/2735401175/sizes/l/

It is from two folks working on social networks it appears in the public relations sphere (http://www.briansolis.com/2008/08/introducing-conversation-prism.html). What I like about it is that conversations are in the center (with learning), and then all the technology that enable them.

As I’ve said in my presentations, Wiki’s, Facebook, Blogs, and such are the current instantiation of a much larger phenomenon – the move to conversations. This image does a great job of showing that.

If They Build It They Will Come

“If They Build It They Will Come” Rethinking Access to Information IFLA Satellite Conference, Boston, MA.

Abstract: No matter how many users one talks to in designing a system, there will be a gulf between what a user wants and what a system can do. The belief that users even know what they want, or that somehow a library can correctly interpret the needs of users is at best presumptuous. To truly build systems that met the needs of users, we must let them build these systems directly. By transforming our library systems into participatory systems, not only do we better meet the needs of our patrons, we also build systems that reflect the core principles of librarianship — getting away from simply adopting new technologies
developed in other fields. This presentation will explore the concept of participatory systems, and talk about what from the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 world is durable, and how to avoid the latest fads.
Slides: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/Presentations/2008/NewBoston.pdf
Audio: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/pod/2008/IFLA.mp3
Video: http://ptbed.org/downloads/IFLA.mp4

Screencast: