Refresher Course in Library and Information Science

The UGC-Academic Staff College, University of Calicut is conducting a three week Practical Oriented Refresher Course in Library and Information Science from 5th to 25th January 2010. The course aims at imparting practical oriented knowledge to the participants in the application of information and communication technologies in library operations and services with sufficient laboratory sessions. The course contents will include Linux, DSpace, Greenstone, E-prints, Koha, NewGenLib, SPSS, Web Designing, Networking, Moodle, Joomla, Web 2.0, etc. Applications, duly approved by the Principal/Head of the College/Department concerned, are invited on the prescribed form from eligible and interested candidates. TA and DA will be given to the participants as per UGC rules. Every participant would be required to pay an admission fee (non-refundable) of Rs. 500/- at the time of confirming his/her participation in the Course. As our Academic Staff College is not a residential training centre, the participants can contact the Manager, Calicut University Guest House for their accommodation (Phone 0494-2400258).

For any further queries, interested applicants may contact
Phone No. 0494-2400352, Mobile No. 09447069257

IFLA-ALP SCHOLARSHIPS ASIA AND OCEANIA 2010

The purpose of the programme is to further the library profession, library institutions and library and information services in developing countries. Middle level professionals and technical specialists (computing staff) working in libraries in libraries/information centres in Asia and Oceania may apply. The candidates must be less than 46 years old. They must have an undergraduate degree and basic IT Skills. The scholarship will enable the recipient to gain experience and hands-on exposure in a professionally advanced environment at a recognized institution in Asia and Oceania. The scholarship period will not exceed six weeks.

In addition to Economy Class return airfare, the recipient will be given a moderate per diem allowance to cover meals and accommodation. The recipient must submit a detailed report of approximately 2000 words to IFLA ALP and the host institution. Administrative formalities such as arranging leave, visa etc, will be the responsibility of the recipient. The applications should be received at the latest, by 31 December each year. Selected candidates will be informed within three months of the closing date.

For more details visit <http://archive.%20ifla.org/%20VI/1/admin/%20scholarasia.%20htm>

UGC NET Coaching

The Department of Library and Information Science, University of Calicut will provide coaching for UGC NET Examination (comprising Papers I, II and III) scheduled on December 2009. The classes will be organized on holidays depending on the convenience of the candidates as well as faculty members. The methods of coaching will be through class work, tutorials, work assignments followed by discussion and face to face interactions. Candidates interested in enrolling for the classes should contact the course coordinator (mobile phone no. 9847527564, 9847472766). Classes commence from October 10, 2009.

DELISAA Alumni Meeting 2009

We are cordially inviting you to the Alumni meeting of the Department of Library and Information Science Alumni Association (DELISAA), University of Calicut on July 4, 2009. We believe that you are looking forward to meeting old classmates and teachers, reminiscing memorable experiences and sharing your stories of success with them.

We request you to contact us as soon as possible confirming your participation. Please forward this message to your batch-mates and other alumni of the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Calicut. Alternatively, you can provide us with their contact details and we would be happy to spread the word.

Please confirm your presence at the event by replying to – cudlisc@gmail.com

Venue: Seminar Complex,University Calicut

Date and Time: July 4, 2009. 10.00 AM to 3.00 PM

Metalogue

Metalogue is a forum for sharing thoughts on all things related to knowledge organization by and for libraries, hosted by Karen Calhoun, Vice President, WorldCat and Metadata Services for OCLC. Karen is joined often by friends and colleagues from all over the globe, who contribute perspectives and experiences about the current and future state of cataloguing and metadata.

Statement of International Cataloguing Principles

The Statement of International Cataloguing Principles (ICP) was published in February 2009 and is available in several languages. It was developed during a series of IFLA Meetings of Experts on an International Cataloguing Code.

Please visit the following link for the report.
International Cataloguing Principles

SIG III International Paper Contest

The Special Interest Group on International Information Issues (SIG-III) of the American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) is pleased to announce its tenth competition for papers to be submitted for the 2009 Annual Meeting, which will take place in Vancouver, BC, Canada, November 6 -11, 2009.

The theme of this year’s paper contest is: "Thriving on Diversity - Information Opportunities in a Pluralistic World".

The theme may be addressed at either the country or regional level issues. Papers could discuss issues, policies and case studies on specific aspects of the theme, such as, but not limited to the following (mainly adopted from the conference theme):

Multilingual information systems
Cross-language information retrieval
Accessibility and cultural factors in system design and information services
Cross-border data flows
Open access and cultural diversity
Information literacy and challenges of harmony versus hegemony
The role of international organizations in building on diversity
Digital inclusion
Social networking in a linguistically and culturally rich environment
Information behavior in diverse contexts
Knowledge management in diverse contexts
Information policy

There will be up to six winners who will be selected by a panel of judges including Hong Xu (Chair), Jonathan Levitt (Co-Chair), Aaron Bowen, Nadia Caidi, Yunfei Du, Daqing He, Macia Lei Zeng.

Selection Criteria

Papers will be selected through a peer review process. The judging criteria will be based on:

Originality of paper in the developing world environment (originality of the project described, etc.)
Relevance to the Paper contest.
Presentation and organization.
Style. The international paper contest committee requires that submissions follow the International Information and Library Review instructions to authors. Detailed information is available under the heading, Guide for Authors at: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/622845/authorinstructions

The prize for each winner is a two-year individual membership in ASIS&T. In the case of multiple authors, the principal author will be awarded the ASIS&T membership. In addition, depending on SIG III fundraising for this competition, the first place winner will be rewarded a minimum of $1,000 toward travel, conference registration, and accommodations while attending the ASIS&T Annual Conference in Vancouver, BC, Canada, November 6 -11, 2009.

Publishing opportunities
Submitted papers will be considered for inclusion in a special issue of the International Information and Library Review, subject to the usual peer refereeing process, for that journal.

Information for authors
Only papers by a principal author who is a citizen of, and resides in a developing country are eligible. Winners in the 2005-2008 contests are not eligible. The papers should be original, unpublished, and ONLY in English. We encourage submissions from librarians, information and network specialists, and educators involved in the creation, representation, maintenance, exchange, discovery, delivery, and use of digital information.

ASIS&T Copyright Policy
ASIS&T will have the non-exclusive right to publish any of the papers submitted on its web site or in print, with ownership and all other rights remaining with the author.

Deadline for submission of full papers
Authors are invited to submit manuscripts, not to exceed 5,000 words, by May 31, 2009, to hgxu [at] pitt.edu, preferably as Microsoft Word attachments

SIG III International Paper Contest

The Special Interest Group on International Information Issues (SIG-III) of the American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) is pleased to announce its tenth competition for papers to be submitted for the 2009 Annual Meeting, which will take place in Vancouver, BC, Canada, November 6 -11, 2009. The theme of this year’s paper contest is: "Thriving on Diversity - Information Opportunities in a Pluralistic World". The theme may be addressed at either the country or regional level issues. Papers could discuss issues, policies and case studies on specific aspects of the theme, such as, but not limited to the following (mainly adopted from the conference theme):

Multilingual information systems
Cross-language information retrieval
Accessibility and cultural factors in system design and information services
Cross-border data flows
Open access and cultural diversity
Information literacy and challenges of harmony versus hegemony
The role of international organizations in building on diversity
Digital inclusion
Social networking in a linguistically and culturally rich environment
Information behavior in diverse contexts
Knowledge management in diverse contexts
Information policy

There will be up to six winners who will be selected by a panel of judges including Hong Xu (Chair), Jonathan Levitt (Co-Chair), Aaron Bowen, Nadia Caidi, Yunfei Du, Daqing He, Macia Lei Zeng.

Selection Criteria

Papers will be selected through a peer review process. The judging criteria will be based on:
Originality of paper in the developing world environment (originality of the project described, etc.)

Relevance to the Paper contest.
Presentation and organization.
Style. The international paper contest committee requires that submissions follow the International Information and Library Review instructions to authors. Detailed information is available under the heading, Guide for Authors at: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/622845/authorinstructions

The prize for each winner is a two-year individual membership in ASIS&T. In the case of multiple authors, the principal author will be awarded the ASIS&T membership. In addition, depending on SIG III fundraising for this competition, the first place winner will be rewarded a minimum of $1,000 toward travel, conference registration, and accommodations while attending the ASIS&T Annual Conference in Vancouver, BC, Canada, November 6 -11, 2009.
Publishing opportunities
Submitted papers will be considered for inclusion in a special issue of the International Information and Library Review, subject to the usual peer refereeing process, for that journal.
Information for authors
Only papers by a principal author who is a citizen of, and resides in a developing country are eligible. Winners in the 2005-2008 contests are not eligible. The papers should be original, unpublished, and ONLY in English. We encourage submissions from librarians, information and network specialists, and educators involved in the creation, representation, maintenance, exchange, discovery, delivery, and use of digital information.
ASIS&T Copyright Policy
ASIS&T will have the non-exclusive right to publish any of the papers submitted on its web site or in print, with ownership and all other rights remaining with the author.
Deadline for submission of full papers
Authors are invited to submit manuscripts, not to exceed 5,000 words, by May 31, 2009, to hgxu [at] pitt.edu, preferably as Microsoft Word attachments.

WebJunction

A Web-based community helping libraries meet their technology and training. In 2002, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded OCLC a grant to build an online community for libraries and other organizations that provide open access to technology and information. WebJunction is the result of that effort. WebJunction is the online community dedicated to the emerging technology and training needs of librarians. WebJunction features articles, handouts, courses and forum discussions that are practical, down-to-earth and friendly. WebJunction addresses the real issues that librarians and library staff face every day. Other discussion and resources are centered on issues of library management and sustainability, such as internal policies, marketing, research, funding and purchasing. Regular participants include library directors and staff, technology consultants, trainers and volunteers. Libraries represented in the mix are large and small, rural and urban—but they find common ground in working together to solve problems and share ideas all librarians can put to use.

IFLA/OCLC Early Career Development Fellowship Program

This program, jointly sponsored by the American Theological Library Association, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and OCLC, provides early career development and continuing education for library and information science professionals from countries with developing economies. On an annual basis, up to six individuals, including a theological librarian, are selected for participation in this intensive five-week Fellowship program. Four weeks are based at OCLC's headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, USA; one week is based at OCLC in Leiden, Netherlands. The program gives Fellows opportunities to meet with leading information practitioners, visit libraries, and explore topics including information technologies, library operations and management, and global cooperative librarianship. The Fellows visit selected North American and European libraries, cultural heritage institutions and library organizations. The Fellows also observe OCLC's governance structure in action, gaining insight into issues affecting the global library cooperative. Fellows give presentations about their home countries and libraries, meet leading information professionals and discuss real-world solutions to the challenges facing libraries today. The Fellows translate their learning and experiences into specific professional development plans that guide their continued growth as well as their personal contributions to their home institutions and country of origin.

Two-Day National Workshop on Koha

The Department of Library and Information Science in association with C H M K Library, University of Calicut conducted a Two-Day National Workshop on Open Source Library Automation Software, Koha during 20-21 March 2009. The Workshop was inaugurated by the Calicut University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Anwar Jahan Zuberi. Dr. Jalaja V, Head of the Department of Library and Information Science presided over the function. Dr. Abdul Azeez T A, University Librarian-in-charge, CHMK Library proposed vote of thanks. After the inaugural session, Sri. Madhu V T, Calicut University System Administrator taken classes on Linux followed by Sri. Tomson A J conducted classes on Koha. In the valedictory session Dr. Abdul Azeez T.A, University Librarian-in-charge presided over the function. Dr. Jalaja.V, Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Calicut distributed certificates to participants. Sri. T M Vasudevan, Lecturer, DLISc welcomed the gathering. Dr. Mohamed Haneefa. K, Organizing Secretary proposed vote of thanks. The Workshop was attended by 53 Library and Information Professionals from different parts of the country.

Inauguration by Prof. Anwar Jahan Zuberi, Vice-Chancellor, University of Calicut

Introduction to Linux by Sri. Madhu V T, System Administrator, University of Calicut

Installation of Linux and Koha by Sri. Tomson A J, Librarian, Devagiri College, Calicut

Participants of the Workshop in the INFONET Centre, University of Calicut

Participants of the Workshop with Coordinators

Koha is an Integrated Library System (ILS) and was the first open source ILS. Koha was created in 1999 by Katipo Communications for the Horowhenua in New Zealand. Koha includes modules for circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, serials, reserves, patron management, branch relationships, and more. Koha uses a dual database design that utilizes the strengths of the two major industry-standard database types (text-based and RDBMS). This design feature ensures that Koha is scalable enough to meet the transaction load of any library, no matter what the size. Koha is distributed under the open-source General Public License (GPL). Libraries are free to install and use Koha themselves if they have the in-house expertise or to purchase support or development services from the best available source. Open source software is a type of software that is developed using a particular method that allows the software to be more open than other methods. It harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. As a result, open source software is of a higher quality, has higher level of reliability, is more flexible, has a lower cost than other software options, and is a feasible end to predatory vendor lock-in. Another benefit is that bugs and other aberrations can be discovered quickly and patched. This is because the coding for open source software is open and transparent. The Workshop assumes considerable significance in the context of the decision of the Government of Kerala to implement KOHA as the Library Management Software for the libraries across the State. The workshop provided extensive hands on training to the Librarians and other LIS Professionals to enable them to automate their libraries independently.

One Day User Awareness Programme on Access to E-Resources

The CHMK Library, University of Calicut in collaboration with the INFLIBNET centre organized one day User Awareness Programme on Access to E-Resources under UGC-Infonet Digital Library consortium on 6th March 2009. The Programme was inaugurated by Dr. C. Gopinathan Pillai, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Calicut. Dr. Abdul Azeez T.A, University Librarian in charge presided over the function. Mr. Manoj Kumar.K, Scientist D (CS) from the INFLIBNET centre delivered the keynote address. Dr. Jalaja.V, Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Calicut felicitated the function. Smt. Shobhana.S, Assistant Librarian, CHMK Library welcomed the gathering. Dr. K.N Soman, Assistant Librarian, CHMK Library proposed vote of thanks. After the inaugural session, Mr. Manoj Kumar.K, Scientist D (CS) INFLIBNET centre presented the topic UGC-INFONET Digital Library consortium.

Dr. Jalaja V, Dr. C Gopinathan, Sri. Manoj Kumar K, and Dr. Abdul Azeez T A

Presentation by Sri. Manoj Kumar

The programme was attended by 346 participants comprising of faculty members, research scholars, Library professional and post graduate students of the University and its affiliated colleges attended the program. Various publishers representing UGC-Infonet digital Library consortium made presentation on their e-resources accessible to the University Library. Publishers who made presentations during the programme were M/s Information India, Banglore, Wiely-Black well, Tylor and Francis, Oxford Journals, Globe Publications Ltd, Springer Link, Balani Infotech and IOP.

Put the Oxford English Dictionary in your browser

The Oxford English Dictionary Online has created a handy browser button for quick word lookups. Just add a special link to your toolbar, then highlight any word on the web and click the link to look it up in the OED.

Get instructions at the OED Online site.

Mobile phone to be primary internet link in 2020

A survey of internet leaders, activists, and analysts shows they expect major tech advances as the phone becomes a primary device for online access, voice-recognition improves, artificial and virtual reality become more embedded in everyday life, and the architecture of the internet itself improves. The Future of the Internet III, based on a survey of experts by the Pew Internet and American Life Project that asked respondents to assess predictions about technology and its roles in the year 2020

Thousands of video lectures from the world's top scholars

The next wave in “open courseware,” Academic Earth is a website that hosts free streaming video lectures from scholars at top academic institutes in the United States including Berkeley, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale. Featured and top lectures include “Private Equity and the Financial Crisis” by Stephen Schwarzman, “The World is Flat 3.0” by Thomas Friedman, “Elliptical Orbits” by Walter Lewin, or “The History of Computing” by Mehran Sahami . Along with individual lectures, you will also find lecture series for full courses, all free to watch, share, and embed. iPod download is available for many lectures where the “Download to iPod” link is provided.

Subject coverage ranges in difficulty and currently includes: • Astronomy • Biology • Chemistry • Computer Science • Economics • Engineering • English • Entrepreneurship • History • Law • Mathematics • Medicine • Philosophy • Physics • Political Science • Psychology • Religion

Visit http://www.academicearth.org/

New e-book formats offered by O'Reilly

“O’Reilly Media, a technology publisher, announced two new ebook publishing initiatives. This venture brings new electronic formats, increased portability, and up-to-the-minute options for reading O’Reilly books. An initial selection of 30 popular O’Reilly titles now come bundled in three ebook formats (EPUB, PDF, and Kindle-compatible Mobipocket). Consumers have the option of purchasing an ebook directly from O’Reilly to read on a Kindle as well as most current ebook software and devices, including Adobe Digital Editions, Blackberries, and Sony

Medpedia

Medpedia, a online medical encyclopedia relying on user-generated content from anyone with an M.D. or a Ph.D. in a biomedical field, officially became available yesterday. According to the website, the goal of Medpedia "is to create a new model of how the world will assemble, maintain, critique and access medical knowledge. It will, over time, be a repository of up-to-date unbiased medical information, contributed and maintained by health experts around the world, and freely available to everyone." The Medpedia Project is a long-term, worldwide project to evolve a new model for sharing and advancing knowledge about health, medicine and the body among medical professionals and the general public. This model is founded on providing a free online technology platform that is collaborative, interdisciplinary and transparent. Read more about the model.

Users of the platform include physicians, consumers, medical and scientific journals, medical schools, research institutes, medical associations, hospitals, for-profit and non-profit organizations, expert patients, policy makers, students, non-professionals taking care of loved ones, individual medical professionals, scientists, etc.

As Medpedia grows over the next few years, it will become a repository of up-to-date unbiased medical information, contributed and maintained by health experts around the world, and freely available to everyone. The information in this clearinghouse will be easy to discover and navigate, and the technology platform will expand as the community invents more uses for it. In association with Harvard Medical School, Stanford School of Medicine, Berkeley School of Public Health, University of Michigan Medical School and other leading global health organizations, Medpedia will be a commons for the gathering of the information and people critical to health care.

Exploring a ‘Deep Web’ That Google Can’t Grasp

One day last summer, Google’s search engine trundled quietly past a milestone. It added the one trillionth address to the list of Web pages it knows about. But as impossibly big as that number may seem, it represents only a fraction of the entire Web.

Beyond those trillion pages lies an even vaster Web of hidden data: financial information, shopping catalogs, flight schedules, medical research and all kinds of other material stored in databases that remain largely invisible to search engines.

Now a new breed of technologies is taking shape that will extend the reach of search engines into the Web’s hidden corners. When that happens, it will do more than just improve the quality of search results — it may ultimately reshape the way many companies do business online.

Search engines rely on programs known as crawlers (or spiders) that gather information by following the trails of hyperlinks that tie the Web together. While that approach works well for the pages that make up the surface Web, these programs have a harder time penetrating databases that are set up to respond to typed queries. To extract meaningful data from the Deep Web, search engines have to analyze users’ search terms and figure out how to broker those queries to particular databases. Google’s Deep Web search strategy involves sending out a program to analyze the contents of every database it encounters. As the major search engines start to experiment with incorporating Deep Web content into their search results, they must figure out how to present different kinds of data without overcomplicating their pages. This poses a particular quandary for Google, which has long resisted the temptation to make significant changes to its tried-and-true search results format.

Beyond the realm of consumer searches, Deep Web technologies may eventually let businesses use data in new ways. This level of data integration could eventually point the way toward something like the Semantic Web, the much-promoted — but so far unrealized — vision of a Web of interconnected data. Deep Web technologies hold the promise of achieving similar benefits at a much lower cost, by automating the process of analyzing database structures and cross-referencing the results.

Blogmeister

Blogmeister is a great way where the teacher can evaluate, comment on, and finally publish students' blog articles in a controlled environment.

National Workshop On KOHA

Department of Library and Information Science, University of Calicut in association with C H M K Library, University of Calicut is organizing a Two-Day National Workshop on Integrated Library Automation Package Koha scheduled to be held on 20-21 March 2009, at the INFONET Centre, University of Calicut. The purpose of the Workshop is to familiarize the participants with the open source KOHA software developed by Katipo Communications, New Zealand. KOHA is considered as a highly sophisticated Integrated Library System (ILS) in the open source domain which offers full featured ILS including OPAC, circulation, cataloguing, acquisitions, serials control etc. The software is web-centric, modular, and multilingual and conforms to bibliographic standards including MARC 21, Z 39.50, ISO 2709, etc.

KOHA

• KOHA is an open-source Integrated Library System (ILS).

• It supports global standards including MARC 21 bibliographic format and Z 39.50 information retrieval protocol.

• Web-centric architecture (no additional software/utility is required at the client side, access through the browser Mozilla Firefox only).

• Provides tremendous freedom for customization.

• All the modules of LMS including Acquisition, Cataloguing, Circulation, OPAC, Membership Management, System Administration, Serial Control, etc is available.

• Web based OPAC system (allows the public to search the catalogue in the library and at home).

• The software is UNICODE compliant. The creation and retrieval of Indic script based documents is possible.

• Export/Import and backup/restoration facilities are available.

• Includes features of fourth generation Library Management Software (LMS). • Runs on Linux, Unix, Windows and MacOS platform.

• KOHA uses MySQL as backend RDBMS and Apache Web server (these software are also open source).

Objectives

• To introduce the LINUX operating system to the LIS professionals.

• To acquaint the participants with the installation of KOHA.

• To provide extensive hands on training to the participants so as to enable them to work independently.

Target Audience

The Workshop will be of immense benefit to LIS professionals working in any type of library. The number of participants is restricted to 30 and admission will be strictly on a first-come-first-served basis. Extensive practical sessions/hands on training, enriched with interactive sessions will be the hallmark of the programme.

Workshop Faculty

The Workshop will be handled by experts with extensive practical experience in LINUX and KOHA.

Participation Fee

The Participation Fee for the Workshop is Rs.300 per participant. The fee covers the cost of course material, lunch and tea. The fee should be paid in the form of Demand Draft or local Cheque drawn in favour of Workshop Director, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Calicut, Calicut University P.O., PIN-673 535, Kerala.

After Workshop Technical Support

DLISc., University of Calicut will be pleased to offer the technical support to libraries after the workshop for installation, maintenance, database migration etc. You are welcome to write to us for details.

Application

The Application should be made in the format given along with this brochure. Detailed brochure and copies of the application can also be downloaded from the Calicut University website http://www.universityofcalicut.info/. The filled up application along with the DD/Cheque should reach to the Workshop Director on or before 10th March 2009.

Contact Details

Programme Coordinators

Dr. T A Abdul Azeez

University Librarian (i/c), University of Calicut, Phone: 9447332612.

T.M. Vasudevan

Lecturer, Department of Library & Information ScienceUniversity of Calicut, Phone :9446418742.

Organizing Secretary

Dr. Mohamed Haneefa K

Lecturer, Department of Library and Information ScienceUniversity of Calicut, E-mail: hanee4u@gmail.com, Phone: 9895622811.