Archive for February, 2010

Global Digital Libraries Collaborative

Just after Thanksgiving 2009, an extraordinary meeting of minds took place in the Bender Room of Stanford University’s Green Library. The invited guests represented many of the most forward-thinking university and national libraries in the world. Stanford and the Council  on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) conceived and co-hosted this gathering to discuss “how institutions can best integrate their digital collections with others in the global library community, what is needed to realize a truly integrated international library cyberinfrastructure.” A major premise was that “the piece-by-piece maturation of the digital library … is neither efficient nor sustainable.” By all accounts, the 61 participants, representing 24 institutions in 13 countries, found it surprisingly productive and stimulating as they strove over three days to articulate an unprecedented collective vision for going forward.

A summary report of the event goes public today at a new Web site; the report reviews the discussions and states the main themes and conclusions that emerged. The site heralds the creation of the Global Digital Libraries Collaborative, “an informal community for promoting international cooperation among libraries, archives, museums, and other guardians of worldwide cultural heritage. Its purpose is to promote research and development related to digital library collections and tools on an international scale and to encourage deep collaboration among information organizations to maximize cost efficiencies and user access.” A list of current projects and opportunities is also available at the same site.

Whether one dreads or embraces the digital era in libraries, there is no getting around the fact that scholarly information and scholarship itself will increasingly depend on electronic resources and tools. How we address the attending challenges will necessarily transform the way we do business. And the stakes are high, as noted in the summary, “Coordination and collaboration … are essential for the survival of our cultural heritage.” The great libraries will be involved in many efforts, some in partnership with commercial entities, but perhaps more significantly with our peers. The potential for the new group is that it may help us all do more, better, more creatively, with less redundancy, more transferability, and broader reach.

by Andrew Herkovic (via Joe Wible, Hopkins Marine Station)

Comments off

Travel Document Requirements for Argentina

All persons travelling to Argentina require a 6 months valid passport.

Exceptions: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, who require only a Personal Identity Document.

We want you to be able to come, so please ensure you have check your required documents ahead of time.

For more information check the website at: http://www.iamslic.org/index.php?section=233

Marcia Croy-Vanwely, chair.

Guillermina Couslich & Gabrieka Silvoni, co-hosts.

IAMSLIC 2010 17-21 October, Mar del Plata, Argentina
Netting Knowledge: “Two Hemispheres – One World”

 

Comments off

NTIS newsletter on Ocean Science

The February 2010 issue of the NTIS Technical Reports Newsletter is now available from http://www.ntis.gov/pdf/ntrnews2-8.pdf. Featured this month are NTIS Subject Categories: Ocean Sciences & Technology and Chemistry.  It is a listing of various US reports on ocean science available through NTIS.  IAMSLIC libraries have many of the reports, so check the Z39.50 Library before ordering from NTIS.

The list in the newsletter is interesting for its variety.

-Janet Webster

Comments off

Welcome to new members

Please welcome the following new (or returned) IAMSLIC members:

Judith Rogers, University of the Virgin Islands
Tara Booth, National Inquiry Services Centre (NISC), South Africa
Joyce Downey, University of Rhode Island, Pell Marine Science Library
Elizabeth Knight, Charles Darwin Foundation, Ecuador
Yolanda Lopez, Biblioteca Nacional de Salud Panama, Universidad de Panama
Amelia Chavez Comparon, CICESE – Library, Mexico
Katherine Miller, Woodward Library, University of British Columbia
Darlene Tan, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa

Please note the IAMSLIC Membership Committee reps. (always happy to answer membership questions) are:

Chair: Jean Collins (ad interim 2010)   Membership Database: Kristen Metzger (2007- )

Members: Geoffrey Salanje (AFRIAMSLIC); Janet Webster (CYAMUS); Bart Goossens (EURASLIC); Gabriela Silvoni (Latin American Regional Group); Chris Nelson (Pacific Islands); Victoria Wellborn (SAIL); William Ko (Asia member at large) and Armand Gribling (Member-at-large).

Comments off

Job Posting – Science Data Librarian

Stanford University is looking to hire a Science Data Librarian.  Below is the job advertisement.

Joe Wible

Hopkins Marine Station

__________________________________

The Stanford University Libraries & Academic Information Resources (SULAIR) seeks a Librarian to work with faculty, graduate students and SULAIR colleagues to collect, manage, curate, provide access to and assist in the analysis of science and engineering data.  As a member of the Science and Engineering Resource Group, you will help with the active management of scientific content acquired by the libraries and produced and used by Stanford researchers, in order to enhance its preservation and access now and into the future.  This is an excellent opportunity for a self-starter to help develop a new program at one of the world’s leading research institutions.

This position requires a team player with a degree in engineering or the sciences (advanced degree and/or research experience recommended), knowledge of and interest in academic or research libraries and the research environment in a major university and a demonstrated understanding of the issues involved with data management/curation, including format migration, preservation, metadata, data retrieval and use issues.  Demonstrated expertise in data management or information science is essential and would preferably take the form of direct experience with data curation/management, but could include an MLS/MLIS degree with an emphasis on data management. Effective use of current technologies, an interest to stay abreast of technological advances and the ability to acquire new technological skills and resolve problems is also required, as are strong communication skills and demonstrated potential to make professional accomplishments relevant to the position, i.e. scholarly publications, teaching or library-related publications and presentations. An understanding of the research process as demonstrated by academic or work experience is desired, as is experience with one of the commonly used repository platforms, strong time management skills, flexibility, creativity and an innovative attitude.

To see the full job description, assure your application information is captured in our official files and give the hiring department immediate access to your resume, you must apply to http://jobs.stanford.edu/ and in the keyword search box, indicate 37215.  Applicants should provide cover letter, complete statement of qualifications, full resume of education and relevant experience and the names and addresses of at least 3 references with knowledge of the applicant’s professional qualifications for the position.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Stanford University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.

Comments off

IAMSLIC 36th Conference, 17-21 October 2010

 “Netting Knowledge: Two Hemispheres – One World”

If you have not taken a look at the conference homepage - take a peek and see what is in store for you at Mar del Plata, Argentina. The committee members want to ensure this is the 1 conference you plan to attend!

We have been receiving proposals for papers, workshops and panels, so if you have an idea for a paper now is the time to let us know. Checkout Call for Proposals at the conference site for more information.

Marcia Croy-Vanwely, IAMSLIC Vice-President

Comments off

Ocean Teacher Academy

Dear IAMSLIC,

The OceanTeacher Academy Training Course Prospectus 2010 is now online and can be downloaded on the page:

http://www.oceanteacher.org/course_prospectus.html

The brochure contains an overview of the course calendar and contains 8  training courses, aimed at Marine Data Management and Marine Information Management.

Interested candidates for the training courses can participate either:

-self-funded
-with sponsorship from OceanTeacher Academy. Interested candidates have to submit the required documents (motivation letter, endorsement letter and CV) to the email address below before the deadline indicated with each course.

training@iode.org

Best regards


=============================
Wouter ROMMENS, Ph.D.
Training coordinator
UNESCO/IOC Project Office for IODE
Wandelaarkaai 7
B-8400 Oostende
Belgium
Tel:       +32(0)59 34 01 60 (direct)
Fax:      +32(0)59 34 01 52
Skype:   wouter_rommens
Email:    wouter.rommens@vliz.be
wouter.rommens@gmail.com

Comments off