Conference Reports

UKSG 2009: How Technology is Changing Learning and Research In Universities

How Technology is Changing Learning and Research In Universities
Tim O-Shea at U of Edinburgh

-- new modes of research and learning are upon us - new knowledge curation – new modes of use – new modes of ownership
-- focus at U of Edinburgh is on research
-- research through new technologies fed into the student experience

UKSG 2009: Beyond Open Access

The United Kingdom Serials Group (UKSG) returned to Torquay, Devon, UK for its 32nd annual conference, March 30-Apr. 1.  I'd intended to blog live from the sessions but TypePad wasn't cooperating.  

Beyond Open Access
Jan Velterop (Knewco, Inc.)
opening plenary

What's wrong – we have far too many returns in terms of actionable knowledge because there is so much data and it is deeply hidden. He discussed how knowledge transfer works now and compared it to a "needle transfer" - he showed a humongous stack of hay (i.e., needles) hanging off the sides of a truck).

We know we have information overload (and that will only increase) but suggests that we also have organizational underload: a lack of conceptual structure to effectively organize information.

ACRL 2009 - Standing on the Edge of Change

Presented by M. Sue Baughman and Elaine Z. Jennerich

In these days of potential change for higher education in general, and libraries specifically, this workshop was very timely. The presenters talked about attitudes, emotional responses, resistance to, and behaviors associated with change as well as providing insight to one’s “change-friendly quotient” and four specific models that can be used to institute change.

 They shared these things that individuals can do to prepare for change: educate yourself, clarify, read everything (twice), make mission-based decisions, live in the moment, be open to new points of view, look for opportunities, be a leader, be a follower, take care of yourself, laugh more, unload old baggage, tell the truth.

 These video clips were also shared with the audience:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sPwK87jeYg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBWYvljzefg