Victor McCrary, National Institute of Standards and Technology

CIL 2002 abstract: What is the current state of e-books today? What are we likely to see in the future? What are the implications for public, academic, school, as well as corporate and government libraries? Hear from one of the world’s leaders about the future of this technology and get some insights as to what our library strategies should include for the future.

Notes: This was the keynote address for Wednesday, March 13, 2002. In 1999 the future looked bright for eBooks, then in 2001 the market retrenched. eBooks are expected to be the solution for the following: trade journals, education, medicine, enterprise applications, and government. eBooks will re-emerge with the convergence of disparate technologies, such as in storage, telecommunications, and delivery methods; for example, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and digital video-discs (DVDs); a digital convergence of functionality, complexity, price, and mobility. Note that learning appears to take place visually now, but not by reading. Digital rights and online piracy remain problematic.

Search Google for Victor Mccrary

Stephen Arnold, President, Arnold Information Technologies

CIL 2002 abstract: With so many libraries serving a majority of their clients virtually, and with collections being moved offsite for just-in-time item retrieval, the physical space becomes less of a concern, right? On the contrary, many librarians now face the challenge of creating a desirable 'being space' to facilitate group work, collaboration, quiet study, and access to electronic resources. Speakers share their observations on the opportunities now available for the libraries of the future.

Notes: Librarians deal with two principal considerations regarding physical plants: "where we put stuff" and "where we put us". Traditionally, the restrictions of a three-dimensional existence dictated how tasks were done and how things were managed, now we must appreciate how technology has liberated us from our geographical restraints and restrictions. In fact we still use the 3D model for the virtual universe while the virtual universe is actually 0D – nowhere, anywhere, everywhere. Libraries must be a place where people want to go, because people will go where they feel comfortable, and people are productive when they are comfortable. What makes a space a place? Commercially, a place is where something necessary happens. Socially, a place is where something desireable happens.

A very stimulating presentation given by de Stricker; Arnold was absent. Focus was on problems regarding academic library buildings and providing a "place" for patrons, in both the 3D and 0D worlds.

Search Google for Stephen Arnold, Ulla de Stricker

Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Ph.D., VP, Research and Library Systems, netLibrary, Inc.

Susan Gibbons, Digital Initiatives Librarian, University of Rochester

Kaia Densch, Thomson, Legal and Regulatory

CIL 2002 abstract: Connaway, a librarian and leader in e-book and scholarly communication evolution, shares experiences related to the publication, production, dissemination, and usage of e-books and provides an overview of e-book trends, challenges, and usage data. Gibbons and Densch discuss how to interpret usage patterns and encourage patron adoption and use, what content is best suited for e-book production and how the various forms of electronic content should be linked, what the future 'books' look like and how the publishing and library policies and processes are changing.

Notes: Much of this presentation was similar to the netLibrary presentations made before the attendees of the various LION and Bibliomation forums. The following considerations remain regarding eBooks: "support librarians’ expanded role in the digital age", "anytime/anywhere access", "authoritative electronice content", "cost effective", "support new methods of teaching and learning", "patrons want access, not devices", "current subject matter", "technically-saavy users within certain disciplines", and "content that is generally not readin in the library". These considerations appear to hold true for academic, school, and special libraries, but not public.

See also Connaway's "Librarians, Producers, and Vendors: The netLibrary Experience", which was part of the Library of Congress's Conference on Bibliographic Control in the New Millennium.

Search Google for Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Susan Gibbons, Kaia Densch

Mary Anne Doyle, former Project Manager, Boston Library Consortium, Camden Public Library

Randy Dykhuis, Executive Director, AccessMichigan, Michigan Library Consortium

CIL 2002 abstract: The developing technologies and protocols supporting Virtual Catalogs are moving libraries toward building strong, viable partnerships that benefit their users and staff. This session provides two examples: The statewide Virtual Catalog Project in Massachusetts details how the implementation of the Bath Profile, NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol (NCIP) and other protocols, standards and techniques has allowed implementation of their dreams of easy accessibility of library collections and effective resource sharing. AccessMichigan, already providing more than 65 databases to every library in Michigan, is now creating a statewide library network by implementing a shared union catalog, ILL software, patron authentication, and courier delivery service. It describes the challenges of planning for and implementing these services on a multitype library, statewide basis and the directions it is taking.

Notes: This presentation was a combination of Doyle’s "Protocols and Standards: The Future of Virtual Catalogs" and Dykhuis’s "Creating a Statewide Resources Sharing System in Michigan". Doyle focused on the standards and the applications of those standards in software which foster interoperability between and among libraries. Doyle noted the two models of union catalog and virtual union catalog, preferring the virtual union catalog. The virtual union catalog based upon Z39.50, XML, and NCIP holds great promise.

Dykhuis discussed the digital library initiative in Michigan, AccessMichigan, and the Action Team for Library Advancement Statewide (ATLAS). Michigan has developed the MI State Library Card, pronounced "my", for patrons. ATLAS is developing a patron centric system, not for librarians. Dykhuis commented that the "perfect system is the enemy of the good system". They are using RMG as their consultant. Their final proposal will not specify whether the system should be a union catalog or a virtual union catalog; they will let the vendors recommend.

Search Google for Mary Anne Doyle, Randy Dykhuis

Anne Marie Secord, Director of Library Services, National University

Robin Lockerby, Instructional Services Coordinator, National University

James Sherman, Library Information Center Librarian, National University

CIL 2002 abstract: National University takes distributed learning seriously. It offers 50+ accredited undergraduate and graduate programs online and at 25 learning centers throughout California. The NU Library’s 21st Century Cybrary Model supports these programs and provides full service to their 17,000 students through the new Central Library and Library Information Centers with virtual collections. In this case study of their use of technology in training and communication for virtual librarians, a panel highlights the implementation of the model, discusses the use of technology in providing training and communication for remote librarians, and presents the role of a virtual librarian.

Notes: The many remote, library information centers, have no collections, collections are maintained at the central library; the ILS, fax, and postage free, direct book/journal delivery by means of UPS to the patron facilitate interlibrary loan and document delivery. eBooks solved the problem posed by so many remote locations and the lifetime costs of ownership. LICs have become "information commons" with "pods of PCs"; the help desk, note not reference desk, is situated at the entrance to the LICs. Staff provide bibliographic and technology instruction for each student of each class.

NU has gone through three integrated library systems, Notis, Taos, and Sirsi! Note that NU uses EasyProxy for patron authentication. Also NU believes in a three year life cycle for hardware; initially NU started replacing 200 PCs after one and a half years and then every three years thereafter. NU desires streaming video and audio for recordings instead of shipping media by means of UPS. ILL in general is problematic because of the nature of their courses which are intensive, month long courses, which are too short for the too slow ILL!

Search Google for Anne Marie Secord, Robin Lockerby, James Sherman

Kathie Meizner, Manager, Chevy Chase Branch Library

Francie Gilman, Librarian, Special Needs Library, Montgomery County Public Libraries

Edwin S. Clay, III, Library Director & Pat Bangs, Information Assistant, Fairfax County Public Library

CIL 2002 abstract: When designing IT policies and practices, librarians can have a big impact using their traditional skills. In Montgomery County Public Libraries, they established The Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) which in the first 6 months accomplished the following: inauguration of a digital reference service using CRM software, a pilot for online book discussions and online real-time author talks, pilot video and virtual library tours, an Internet portal including the library’s children’s Web page, and customer focus groups to evaluate a variety of hand-held e-book reading devices. A large Fairfax County, VA suburban library system has expanded its traditional role, contributing to such IT projects as the redesign of the County’s Web site, the creation of content and navigation design on a county-wide kiosk information system; and even contributing to the future implementation of an electronic payment system. Learn how collaborative IT planning works at major public libraries, as well as a number of collaborative consensus building techniques you can replicate.

Notes: Recommend collaborative information technology planning because it’s too complicated, the future will be better because of it, and only government will do it. Strongly recommend Getting It Done : How to Lead When You're not in Charge by Roger Fisher and Alan Sharp which espouses "lateral leadership" where "peers get it done". Diversity is an asset in collaborative efforts. Clay believes in "world domination through the public library". Believes librarians should be experts in organization, information, and content; therefore it’s appropriate that the County employ the library and IT to develop the County’s website. Librarians worked on the resources links, user survey, focus groups, search engine, calendar of events, and work and volunteer sections. Website is used on County’s web-based kiosks employing touch screens and include electronic-payments capability.

Search Google for Kathie Meizner, Francie Gilman, Edwin S. Clay, III

Lisa Mitnick, Senior VP, Legal & Tax Solutions, LexisNexis

CIL 2002 abstract: The value of customization and personalized delivery in reducing the information glut in today’s crowded content-rich world is key for all information services. Hear about key strategies and technologies that are supporting our libraries including information/knowledge audits, portable indexing, customized user interfaces, as well as real world applications shared by leading information professionals.

Notes: This was the keynote address for Thursday, March 14, 2002. Quoted Rutherford Rogers concerning "infoglut": "We’re drowning in information and starving for knowledge". Infoglut is consuming a significant percentage of employee productivity. Is it cost effective for end users to seek information themselves by "going to the web" instead of using the intranets maintained by their firms. Virtural librarianship should address infoglut; integrate information with technology to provide information for a solution focus rather than a research focus. Librarians should demonstrate the management of information: move from research to accurate and fast solutions, from onesize fits all to customized, even personalized services, understand the internal activity cycle of the user, understand the enterprise activity cycle of the firm, understand metadata and taxonomies, develop an understanding of the filtering of information and the requirements of end users.

Search Google for Lisa Mitnick

Greg Gerdy, VP & Director of Product Management, Factiva

CIL 2002 abstract: The emergence of open interfaces is changing the face of content delivery as it allows companies to easily integrate external content into their internal environment. What are the potential benefits, and likewise challenges, that could result? What role does XML play in an open interface? This session discusses these questions and more by examining the architecture behind an open interface and the practical implications. Learn why Factiva built its completely new product platform based on a flexible, XML, open architecture and how client applications are utilizing it for content delivery.

Notes: An impressive presentation on how Factiva has essentially abandoned the end user interface for an application programmer interface which enables the end user to develop their own user interface so that they can see the data the way they want to see it making it more meaningful. Employing eXtensible Markup Language facilitates this strategy regarding the API and the user interface. Noted the importance of "text crunching" applications due to the prevalence of web searching.

Search Google for Greg Gerdy

CIL 2002 abstract: Taxonomy development, validation and maintenance are key steps to effectively managing content and knowledge. Taxonomy development includes the creation of meaningful categories; we know from experience that much of Web and portal navigation centers around the organization of information through categories. New classification systems and technologies include software for automatic categorization. This session puts these 'auto-categorization' tools into the context of current approaches to classification and answers questions such as these: What are some specific auto-categorization products? What are they intended to do? In what context and circumstances? What are their benefits as well as shortcomings? How effective are they compared to manual processes? What are the criteria for evaluating them?

Notes: Discussed "Auto-Categorization Tools" which appeared in the March/April 2002 issue of Intranet Professional which is related to "Cyborg Categorization: The Salvation of Search?" by Thomas Reamy which appeared in the January/ February 2002 issue of Intranet Professional. Burwell surveyed vendors of auto-categorization tools for those firms thinking of "automatic" methods to solve their classification and categorization of documents problems. The firm may be developing a portal or intranet. Manual classification and categorization may not be able to "keep up". End users may be having a tough time making use of the database and its documents. Present methods of classification and categorization may be subject to a lack of consistency. Burwell discussed human and machine categorization, and the three methods of auto-categorization: rules based, catalog by example, and statistical clustering. Manual classification may be less consistent, but is more accurate, visible and controllable, but it is resource intensive, not scalable, and is inefficient. Automated classification is scalable, efficient, relatively quick, but lacks accuracy and control, with relevancy being the Achilles heel. Editors understand the content of the enterprize and think of the end users which make editors more effective. Costs of such tools are excessive and there is a general lack of benchmarks.

An impressive presentation.

Search Google for Bonnie Burwell

Lisa Peterson, Senior Intranet Developer, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

CIL 2002 abstract: Learn how to design and develop a Web database application so that it focuses on users from the start. What are the key questions to ask during the needs assessment that help solicit user requirements? How do you translate this information to project specifications and initial mock-ups? Learn how to use entity-relationship diagrams as well as early first stage mock-ups to improve your design and develop usable Web services.

Notes: Three main points: develop a workable model and philosophy for development, obtain buy in from all stakeholders, provide mechanism for dealing with viewpoints, change, and growth. An excellent presentation on the application of entity-relationship modelling for developing web based databases.

Search Google for Lisa Peterson

Moderator: Rebecca Jones, Dysart & Jones Associates

Roy Tennant, Web & Services Design Manager, E-Scholarship Initiative, California Digital Library

Rich Wiggins, Senior Information Technologist, Computer Laboratory, Michigan State University, & Author/Lecturer, Netfact.com

CIL 2002 abstract: Many people assume that the entire monographic holdings of the Library of Congress and other large, and important collections, will soon be available online. Tennant and Wiggins provide a thought-provoking debate on the possibility and desirability of making that a reality. Can we truly digitize millions of books? Should we? The issues discussed are not that different from those that face any library needing to make tough decisions about digitizing material. Come hear what these two friendly, but feisty, colleagues have to say about it.

Notes: This was the keynote address for Friday, March 15, 2002. Wiggins was in favor of digitalizing the books of LC, while Tennant was not. Tennant asked why digitalize that which many libraries already have? Wiggins suggested not using digital scanners, but rather digital cameras. Also believes most software is readily accessible: Apache server, Linux operating system, Perl and PHP programming languages. Tennant believes that current copyright would prohibit and that libraries have in general failed to defend their position. Wiggins believes and e-permissions process could be developed. Tennant reminded us of the five "Cs" of the project: cost, complexity, collection development, copyright, and commitment.

Search Google for Rebecca Jones, Roy Tennant

Stephen Arnold, President, Arnold Information Technologies

CIL 2002 abstract: This session looks at a number of new technologies and strategies for the delivery content and services to key clients. It includes discussions on the forces driving wireless information applications for medicine and other industries. Learn from industry examples how to optimize the opportunities currently available and how to capitalize by delivering key content services within your libraries.

Notes: "NOW" is the "new office workspace". "Your workplace goes with you, not you go to the place" as in the use of PDAs. "People love to be in herds" and library space must address this. Commercial firms and academia are only now discovering the traditional library domain of content management. "Low cost means limits to the scalability and functionality of the system". The trend is to "eliminate the chain of information" between the producer and consumer. Arnold believes that the hot spot for technology is the Pacific rim and that XML is a mandatory technology.

Search Google for Stephen Arnold

Roy Tennant, Web & Services Design Manager, E-Scholarship Initiative, California Digital Library

CIL 2002 abstract: The eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is arguably the most important technical development for libraries since the Web. XML is a relatively simple, yet powerful, method to encode anything from data to full-text in a way that can be easily transported and manipulated by software. Librarians are already using it to accomplish a variety of tasks using methods that are easily transferrable to other libraries. This session provides a brief introduction to XML and quickly moves on to how XML can be used to solve specific library problems and enable new opportunities.

Notes: A very good, basic presentation of XML. XML is a manner by which content and structure can be managed as opposed to HyperText Markup Language, HTML, which is concerned with display. XML provides for a standard contrainer for information, its transfer syntax, and transformation to the end user. XML will not replace databases. Tennant promoted his forthcoming publication entitled XML for Libraries.

Search Google for Roy Tennant