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.