Archive for Announcements

New IAMSLIC Interlibrary Loan Step-by-Step Brochure

Dear IAMSLIC Members,

The IAMSLIC Resource Sharing Committee is pleased to announce that a new step-by-step ILL Tutorial Brochure is available in the IAMSLIC  Website at

http://www.iamslic.org/member-access/members-area/resource-sharing (log-in required). A direct link to this ILL Brochure is available at:

http://www.iamslic.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ResourceSharing_ILL_Brochure_2014_SW.pdf (log-in required).

This brochure was prepared to facilitate the use of the Z39.50 when initiating an interlibrary loan request.

The Committee invites all the IAMSLIC Members to consult this new brochure and encourages everybody to search the Z39.50 Catalogue first when requesting items from other libraries.

Finally, remember that you should post ILL messages to the IAMSLIC discussion list (IAMSLIC@ucdavis.edu) only for items which are not available in the Z39.50 Distributed Library. 

 

Jose GARNICA

IAMSLIC Chair of the Resource Sharing Committee (2013-2014)

http://www.iamslic.org/activities/resource-sharing

 

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September 15, 2014 · Filed under Announcements

40th Annual Conference: Day 2

Day 2 – Monday September 15
Opening session in SPC 
After opening remarks, welcomes, and thank yous by Mary-Clare, Sally, and Guillermina, Franck Magron, SPC IT technician, spoke about the difficulties of managing and distributing fisheries information to the fisheries managers in Pacific Island nations.  While a site might have a library they may not have a librarian and many have no catalog.  So the researchers working there don’t even know what they have.  Proposing online storage and dessimination to fishery officers but have to consider copyright and limits on public release.  Questions centered on how to make the metadata publicly available and how/who outside SPC might access the documents.

Kathy Heil then explained the Guin auction, distributed secret names, discussed payment (Kristen LaBonte thinks she may have PayPal set up by conference end – we are so progressive!) and opened the auction.  Some fun and interesting items appear to be available.  First big bid was on small bag of ketchup flavored potato chips – 1000 cfp or about $10US!

Morning break: coffee, tea, orange and mango juice, platters of pizza and small pastries (Danish, croissants, and chocolate croissants). Yum!!  No need eat breakfast if can wait for morning tea…

Next session begins!  Lead off speaker is Stephanie Watt of SPC.  Great description of SPC library and their charge and accomplishments.

Stephanie was followed by Ataban Kapule from Solomon Islands, Ministry of Fisheries library.  Ministry of Fisheries mostly concerned with inshore fishery.  Ataban talked about how difficult it is to run a library in the Solomon’s as there is little internal support. They are currently having problems with their Koha catalog but are being assisted by technicians from SPC.  Their library burned but PIMRIS is their backup and has been assisting them with replacement of their collection.

Hannah Russell from NIWA, New Zealand was last of morning speakers.  In 2011, a review of NIWA focused on centralization.  All physical services and collections were moved to Wellington and admin staff at other sites were delegated to serve as library liaisons.  Staff now reduced to 3 and changed the LMS from Sirsi/Dynix to Koha with Ebsco discovery layer. Ah, the demise of our libraries…

LUNCH! We sure are being fed well!  Served buffet style on a covered outdoor deck: lovely whitefish in a light sauce, saffron rice with pineapple and golden raisins, coleslaw, a ceviche, rolls and butter.  There was a light cream cake was offered for dessert.  Burp

Afternoon session started off with description of the current platform for the digital platform Univers NC and the problems faced and dreams for future.  Isabelle Gasser and David Aymonin also talked about importance of collaboration.  Startling number of scientific organization in a country of 300,000.  

I’m very interested in PIMRIS so I was quite looking forward to Susana Macanawai’s presentation.  She didn’t disappoint.  PIMRIS is regional network of marine/fisheries libraries or information centers.  The library is a branch of USP Laucala Library in Suva.  Major partners are USP, SPC, FFA, and SPREP.  Foster collaboration!  Funding is from USP and proposals written by Susana to international donors. Job is communication & delivery. Staff in various countries are employees of their ministries of fisheries.  The collaboration with PIMRIS is above and beyond their regulR work.  Funding raised is used to train these people.  Opportunities to contact people, deliver materials, invigorate the network are identified by knowing who is traveling where or who is working where that the PIMRIS staff and members can contact to continue the work to strengthen the network throughout the region. “Better together”

  Break time!  What’s not to like?  More tea… And oh my, cookies (aka biscuits) but I’m still full from lunch!  David Baca is not what one might call adventurous as he wouldn’t try a cookie until someone else tried one and gave him a taste description.  All I can say is, ” Mr Baca, I’m done being your canary!”

Dorene Naidu from SPC brought us back from break with an explanation of the library twinning project that brought some specialized knowledge training to participants from Pacific libraries by librarians from various Australian libraries.  Training included new computer skills, repositories, disaster planning and visits to major Australian libraries.  Great experience for everyone involved.

Last of the day but certainly not least, Lyra Pagulayan who, while working on her library degree, is the sole source maintaining Fishbase.  She did a study to see which organizations in Phillipines are sharing resources collaboratively.  Results: libraries usually collaborate, join partnership on project basis, limited sharing resources, limited level of trust, and low level of communication. SEAFDAC is only institution really in a position to share.  Really well designed study!

PIRG meeting and dinner in the evening.

Brought to you by Kris Anderson

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September 15, 2014 · Filed under Announcements, Conference News

40th Annual Conference: Day 1

For most members it’s quite a trip to arrive at the 2014 conference city of Nomea, New Caledonia.  However, it’s always worth the trip! This year appears no different as on arrival, all registrants received the gracious and exuberant welcome for the opening day events.  The SPC planning crew led by Mary-Clare Ame greeted us with Bon Jour and Bula!

Many joined the optional tour to the Jean Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center.  A short bus ride from SPC, we arrived at a gorgeous architectural tribute to the circle of life based on the 3 local regions and the 28 local dialects.  It was fascinating to see local agricultural resources, medicinal plants, and building styles and techniques.  The stories our guide Jorge added greatly to our visit.

Back to SPC, found a place for lunch and then I attended the first executive board meeting. The day ended with the opening reception at Chateau Royal where we had beverages, assorted hor d’oeuvres (I was most intrigued by the use of slices of pink and green jello as toppers on some of the tiny sandwiches as well as decor on platters.  I sampled both but sad to say they just tasted like sugar.), and a lively introduction party.  We were divided into teams of 3 and directed to find out enough information about our teammates to introduce them. We then gathered in a circle and introduced one another. It was quite fun and funny.

This report brought to you by Kris Anderson

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September 15, 2014 · Filed under Announcements, Conference News

IAMSLIC conference program ready

Dear IAMSLIC’ers:

We are pleased to announce that the conference program for the 40th IAMSLIC Conference in Noumea, is now available at the website. Follow us! Soon more news regarding our Anniversary celebration !

On behalf of the program committee,

Guillermina Cosulich  (Conference Convenor)
Kris Anderson  (Junior President Elect 2015)
Mary-Clare Ame (Local host SPC)
Stephen Alayon  (SEAFDEC)
Maria Kalentsits  (past President)
Suzie Davies  (former IOC- GE-MIM)
Dorothy Barr  (Proceedings Editor)

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August 13, 2014 · Filed under Announcements

New book on Gray Whales

E. robustus: The Biology and Human History of Gray Whales. by Jim Sumich.

Written by a well-known gray whale researcher, teacher and textbook author, this book responds to a growing demand for up-to-date and accessible information for the burgeoning whale-watching industry along the US West Coast. Topics range from basic anatomy and migratory behavior of gray whales to the latest research on the genetics of western gray whales. This book provides an accessible yet up-to-date overview of the scientific research on this species, while tracing the history of whaling, gray whales in captivity and the growth of modern whale-watching activities.

Price: $17.99
ISBN: 975-0-692-22542-4
Format: 6”x9” 199 pp. paperback 140 color photographs, maps and drawings
Printed at YTP, Salem, Oregon. The author is the publisher and sole distributor, shipping from Corvallis, Oregon.

Contact info:
James Sumich
jlsumich1@gmail.com
541-231-8898

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August 8, 2014 · Filed under Announcements

CSIRO Marine Library Closure

In the next week, Australia’s largest, oldest and most prestigious marine science library and information service will close. The Library at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Marine and Atmospheric Research Laboratories in Hobart, Tasmania is closing with the loss of all library staff, and removal of all stock.

All book stock was initially to be transferred to a warehouse at CSIRO Black Mountain Library, Canberra, some 800 kilometres away and across Bass Strait. But apparently problems of inadequate space have arisen, so things are still being sorted out with this. This is primarily due to the fact that all (yes, I said ‘all’) CSIRO special libraries around Australia are being closed, except the main Black Mountain library in Canberra. Many library staff are losing their jobs. Across CSIRO many long-term research programs are being cancelled, including most climate change related research.

All library services for CSIRO will be centralised in Canberra, as CSIRO Library moves towards a totally digital service. Researchers and scientists will submit their requests for services electronically, to library staff designated to different divisions. Whilst we all know that science and research needs the most current peer-reviewed information, the best research often looks back at what’s been done in the past, hence the quote “standing on the shoulders of giants”. I struggle to understand just how Australia’s premier research organisation expects to continue to produce world class science with such enormous reductions in access to libraries, information and the professional expertise of library and information managers. It saddens me greatly that the Google mentality of much modern management and government appears to disregard the skills and knowledge of a profession that has developed over generations.

This change coincides with drastic reductions in staffing and resources across the Australian Public Service and Federal Government statutory authorities. Other marine libraries such as the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and Geoscience Australia have undergone major reductions in staffing and resources also. However, these libraries remain open and those librarians continue to provide truly professional service, despite these difficult times.

For those who attended, Hobart was the location of the enormously successful 30th IAMSLIC conference in 2004, organised and so generously hosted by the then Library Director Denis Abbott and his staff. Denis was a driving force in marine information management in Australia for many years, and worked tirelessly with IAMSLIC on the international stage. Since his retirement, the CSIRO librarians have maintained those world-class standards of excellence to provide wide ranging support and assistance to many in the marine library community around the world. I am sure there are many IAMSLICers out there who have been the recipients of the generosity and professionalism of the current librarian, Joel MacKeen, and her colleagues.

It is a credit to Joel and her staff that they have received such wonderful support from their clients and researchers at CSIRO over recent weeks. At this point, I’d like to pass on my personal thanks to the present and past staff of the CSIRO Marine Library for all their support, professional advice and assistance, personal camaraderie and friendship towards me when I worked at AIMS, GBRMPA and the GE-MIM. They have every right to look back with great pride.

Suzie Davies
Townsville, Australia
Alpha Indexing
9 Sidney Street
West End
Townsvlle Qld 4810
Australia
Email: alphaindexing@bigpond.com
Or previous email: jhcarleton@bigpond.com

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August 7, 2014 · Filed under Announcements

IAMSLIC conference early registration deadline

Have you already done your registration to the 40th IAMSLIC Conference in Noumea, N.C.? because tomorrow is the deadline for early registration fees, after July 31 there will be an increase.
Please review the information on the registration page before registering. Note that guests must be registered separately.
If you have questions about registration, please contact the IAMSLIC Registration Team at  <IAMSLICreg@gmail.com>

After you have registered, don’t forget to choose your accommodation at Lodging, then PLEASE contact the host, at <maryca@spc.int>  to make the hotel reservation for you. Please indicate if you would like to share a room or if you prefer to have a room to yourself.
We are in touch! and the program will be available next week !

On behalf of the planning committees,

Guillermina Cosulich, Conference Convener
Mary-Clare Ame, Local Host

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July 30, 2014 · Filed under Announcements

Colombian Student Faces Prison Charges for Sharing an Academic Article Online

This is both sad and scary.  I find it hard to believe the student is being sued by the author as opposed to the publisher as is indicated in the news story.  Also a 4 to 8 year prison sentence seems way out of line.

Maybe something like this will force changes in copyright law to make it more reasonable.

Joe Wible, Hopkins Marine Station

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/07/colombian-student-faces-prison-charges-sharing-academic-article-online

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July 24, 2014 · Filed under Announcements

2013-14 Summary of Resource Sharing Statistics

In July of each year, I collate and summarize the resource sharing statistics from the IAMSLIC Distributed Library project. 2013/14 represents the 12th complete year of the resource sharing program. A total of 3573 requests were submitted during 2013/14, an overall decrease of 17% from the previous year. This is the second year in which the overall volume of transactions has declined significantly, from a peak of 5310 in 2010/11. A total of 46,596 requests have been submitted via the system since its inception in 2002.

The resource sharing program continues to be broadly international in scope, with 67 different IAMSLIC lending libraries in 25 countries receiving borrowing requests from 103 IAMSLIC libraries in 43 countries, similar to previous years’ numbers. 27 (40%) of those 67 lending libraries are in the United States and they received 64.5% of the total requests, which is close to the historical average. Three libraries in Germany received 16.6% of the total requests, while Australia, Mexico, Canada, India, Argentina, South Africa and the Philippines collectively received 14.9% of the borrowing requests.

The Alfred Wegener Institut in Bremerhaven (Germany) regained its status as the top lending library this year, followed by Hatfield Marine Science Center of Oregon State University (U.S.), the Pell Marine Science Library at the University of Rhode Island (U.S.), Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University (U.S.), and the University of Hawaii (U.S.).

Overall activity across the Regional Groups remains fairly balanced and there has been a notable increase in the number of European libraries who are requesting materials via the system. EURASLIC and SAIL still conduct much of their regional interlibrary loan activity via their discussion lists, so the number of transactions via the Distributed Library does not reflect the full volume of resource sharing in those regions. The Latin American region continues to make active use of the resource sharing program while contributing a substantial amount of lending in return, including an significant percentage of requests filled within the region. Borrowing activity in Africa and the Pacific region also continued at modest levels, concentrated primarily in a small number of institutions.

The complete set of data is available on the Distributed Library website via the Resource Sharing Statistics link at http://www.iamslic.org/iamslic/ill/. It includes a spreadsheet for each year that offers charts and additional analysis of lending and borrowing patterns. I encourage you to look at the 2013/14 numbers and will be glad to answer any questions you may have about the data.

Steve Watkins
California State University, Monterey Bay, Library
swatkins@csumb.edu

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July 1, 2014 · Filed under Announcements

Special Issue on The Northern Chukchi Sea Benthic Ecosystem – Free

There is free online access for a limited time to a Special Issue of Deep Sea Research Part II , Volume 102 ,entitled “The Northern Chukchi Sea Benthic Ecosystem: Characterization, Biogeochemistry, and Trophic Linkages”, thanks to funding from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management – Alaska OCS Region.

Guest Editors:

Kenneth H. Dunton, University of Texas at Austin, USA
Jacqueline M. Grebmeier, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, USA
John H. Trefry, Florida Institute of Technology, USA

The 13 articles in this volume present results from major field expeditions in the northern Chukchi Sea during open-water periods in the summers of 2009 and 2010. The focus of the Special Issue is on the biological and chemical characteristics of the benthos with the goal of establishing a strong baseline for assessing future changes that may occur in response to (1) impacts from oil and gas activities, and (2) variations in hydrography, circulation or ice retreat associated with climatic change.
http://www.journals.elsevier.com/deep-sea-research-part-ii-topical-studies-in-oceanography/news/special-issue-on-the-northern-chukchi-sea/

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09670645/102

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June 26, 2014 · Filed under Announcements, Interesting sites

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