Contemplating VALA: Innovations in Social

Networking, Web Interfaces and

eBooks.

Debbie WallisLiaison Librarian(Science & Engineering)Flinders University

IntroductionIntroductionGeneral impressions of VALASocial networkingWeb interfaceseBooks

VALA general impressionsVALA general impressionsFirst timers welcomedThe single search box solutionDigital natives want information

now!Open access vs pay for useParticipation in conference

encouragedLibrarians communicating via

new technologies

Social Networking – librarian Social Networking – librarian current awarenesscurrent awarenessSue Cook and Constance Wiebrands.

Keeping up: strategic use of online social networks for librarian current awareness.◦2009 survey of librarians, asked about use of

SNS, recruited via Twitter◦Results: Most popular sites were Twitter (most

popular), Facebook, Friendfeed and Ning.◦Included strategies for getting most out of SNS

Social Networking – wiki at Social Networking – wiki at workworkMajella Pugh. Wiki-connections:

creating synergies within an academic library’s virtual health hub.◦ UQ’s virtual hub of health library branches◦ “Confluence” software◦ Wiki accessible only to library staff◦ Uses include procedures, report writing,

collaboration◦ Staff survey: Weekly alerts popular, most

logged into space daily or weekly, usage of wiki different depending on position

Web interfaces - CMSWeb interfaces - CMSMichelle McLean & Linda Burridge.

From mess to CMS: the transformation of a library website.◦Requirements for website: flexible,

customisable, anyone can edit◦Drupal: Open source CMS. First

library in Aust to use for website.◦User survey◦Learn as you go approach with Drupal◦Incorporated web 2.0 features

Web interfaces – usability Web interfaces – usability testingtestingKat Clancy & Michelle Watson. Usability testing:

a client-centred approach to innovation.◦“Don’t make me think” by Dean Krug (2006)◦Large scale usability testing program at Deakin◦Study 1: Compared 3 different layouts/designs◦Study 2: After redevelopment of library

webpages, focused on number of set tasks◦Findings: found areas needed to promote more,

e.g. QuickSearch. Users often didn’t understand connection between articles, journals and databases. Spell check functionality needed.

eBooks – usageeBooks – usageDavid Wells & Petra Dumbell. Ebook

usage at Curtin University Library: patterns, projections and strategy.◦Usage of eBooks since 2002◦Differences across different platforms◦Compared usage of eBooks that had been

purchased different ways. ◦ Findings: eBooks purchased individually

meet short term demand. Larger packages meet long term demand.

eBook readerseBook readersFriday Plenary – Fireside chat

with Roy Tennant and Friends◦Single purpose vs multipurpose◦Demographics – mature aged

readers use kindles◦Technology continually changing –

not a long term investment but continuous investment

ConclusionConclusionDifferent points of view about

social networking, web interfaces and eBooks.

Some technologies well established, others just beginning.

Important to keep reviewing decisions about technology.

Looking forward to libraries of the future!