Online Northwest 2012

Online Northwest 2012 took place at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR.

The keynote was given by Steve Krug.

Session 1

State of the Mobile Landscape: Mobile Literacy and What It Means for Libraries

Presenters

  • Robin Ashford, George Fox University
  • Laura Zeigen, Oregon Health & Science University

Abstract

Mobile technologies are having a growing impact in libraries. Ebsco, Gale, WorldCat Local, and many other vendors are developing for the mobile market. We are in a period of transition; some libraries are providing extensive mobile services, while others are deciding where to begin. Librarians are developing mobile literacy skills to better serve users. Join us as we explore mobile in libraries, including results from a Pacific Northwest public and academic libraries mobile climate survey.

Links

More than a Map to Get the Treasure: Strategies for Easing Information Discovery in Digital Collections

Presenters

  • Ian Barba, Texas Tech University
  • Shelley Barba, Texas Tech University
  • Joy Perrin, Texas Tech University

Abstract

Our presentation is about making information gateways easier to use for patrons. We will address three aspects of making searching digital content easier for the user. We will talk about competing with the search engine model, supplementing traditional metadata schemes to make searching better, and developing effective library usability testing.

Links

Do We Have A Winner? Personal eReader Showdown

Presenters

  • Laurie Bridges, Oregon State University
  • Uta Hussong-Christian, Oregon State University
  • Jane Nichols, Oregon State University
  • Evviva Weinraub, Oregon State University

Abstract

As part of a year­long study of personal eReader adoption, we gave eReaders (Kobo, Kindle, Nook, Sony) to 30 OSU Libraries staff members and checked back one month later. What did they do with their new eReaders? What were they reading (or not)? Where did problems occur? Get answers to these questions and more as we discuss the initial study results and find out which readers are nearing adoption, being rooted or getting left behind.

Links

Old Habits Are Hard to Break: Lessons Learned from a Qualitative Research Study

Presenters

  • Stefanie Buck, Oregon State University
  • Anne-Marie Deitering, Oregon State University
  • Hannah Gascho Rempel, Oregon State University

Abstract

Librarians listened and observed as undergraduate students tackled a typical research­-based assignment using broad­-based discovery tools, including Google Scholar, Web of Science and Summon. We will discuss what we learned about the research processes our users have developed, how they fit unfamiliar tools into those processes, how they carry early experiences from high school and public libraries into their college searching, and the implications for effectively introducing new tools into our users' research processes.

Links

Session 2

How Institutional Repositories Provide a Digital Complement to the First Year Experience

Presenters

  • Valerie Bagley, Western Oregon University
  • Erin Passehl, Western Oregon University

Abstract

In Fall 2011, Western Oregon University Archives partnered with Interdisciplinary Studies to digitally capture capstone projects created in the First Year Experience Program (FYE). These seminars provide incoming first-year and transfer students with the necessary skills to succeed in the college classroom and campus life. WOU Archives and FYE instructors collaborated to preserve a digital sample of students’ capstone work, including papers, creative art, posters, presentations, and videos. This presentation will discuss this our shared promotional goals and the library’s role in supporting student retention. We’ll also discuss the nuts and bolts of digitally documenting student work, including permissions, formats, sampling methods, and the overall development of the digital collection.

Links

Snickers Satisfies, But We’re Bringing Good Things to Life

Presenters

  • Monique Sendze, Douglas County Libraries
  • Hutch Tibbetts, Douglas County Libraries

Abstract

This talk will discuss some experiments currently underway in Douglas County Libraries. These range from eBook content management, eBook collection development, and discovery and access of eBooks to a recommendation engine implementation, wireless portal for wireless users, crowd­sourcing and OPDS. These projects and more will be discussed, along with the challenges and rewards each of them has brought.

Links

Whenever I See Your Smiling Face: Low-­Tech Ways to Make Technology User­Friendly

Presenters

  • Susan Gilman, University of Oregon Portland
  • Karen Munro, University of Oregon Portland

Abstract

Academic libraries provide users with access to plenty of powerful technology. But the best tools can gather dust if nobody knows where they are or how to use them. Often the most successful strategies for connecting users to these tools are low-­tech, based on human relationships rather than hyperlinks. This presentation explores ways that low-­tech and high-­tech can buddy up to get users where they want to go.

Links

Where’s My Book: The Library on the UO App

Presenters

  • Sara Brownmiller, University of Oregon
  • Ken Kato, University of Oregon

Abstract

The UO Libraries' iPhone app functionality allows users to locate their book in the precise stack of the Knight Library. The library worked collaboratively with the Geography Department's InfoGraphics Lab, campus experts on developing mobile applications that combine their GIS/spatial data with our internal data. Together we developed this new and easy to use information and functionality that was integrated directly into the UO's official iPhone app.

Session 3

Usability Testing Library Mobile Websites in a Fragmented Smartphone Market

Presenters

  • Michael Bowman, Portland State University
  • Kimberly Pendell, Portland State University

Abstract

Many libraries are developing mobile websites to serve their users on the growing market of mobile devices. This presentation will provide an overview of mobile website design and common usability concerns, and an example of a mobile site usability test. The current mobile device environment and trends will also be discussed. This presentation will be helpful to others interested in the design or usability of mobile websites, and those looking for practical suggestions on conducting mobile website usability tests in their library.

Links

Digital Initiatives at Lewis & Clark

Presenters

  • Mark Dahl, Lewis & Clark College
  • Anneliese Dehner, Lewis & Clark College
  • Jeremy McWilliams, Lewis & Clark College

Abstract

Staff at Lewis & Clark College's Watzek Library have developed a Digital Initiatives program, in which students and faculty are engaged in the creation of digital projects as part of curricular activities. The projects include accessCeramics, a fine arts image database; Oregon Poetic voices, an growing repository of recorded poetry; and Lewis & Clark Around the World, a digital documentation project for students studying overseas. Jeremy, Mark, and Anneliese will talk about the development of the program and will discuss projects in the areas of arts, biology, and study abroad.

Kindled Interest: Lending E-­readers for General and ILL Use

Presenters

  • Laura DeGeer Baca, Cedar Mill Community Library
  • Laura Torgersen, Cedar Mill Community Library

Abstract

In 2011, Cedar Mill Community Library began lending pre­loaded Amazon Kindles for general circulation at our two locations. We also began lending Kindles to fulfill some of our Interlibrary Loan requests. Find out how these projects came to be and how we worked through challenges along the way!

Links

Mapping the Library Collections

Presenters

  • Emily Miller-Francisco, Southern Oregon University
  • Grant Miller-Francisco, Sky Research

Abstract

Many libraries have digital map collections, but what about mapping the library? Creating interactive digital maps helps us locate resources and offers additional points of entry to library information. We will demonstrate open­source solutions for creating web maps, and show what we have learned in the process of creating two digital web-­based maps: (1) an historical campus map­­--combining historical photos of the campus with an interactive timeline; (2) a map of the library's collections.

Links

Session 4

6 students, 6 iPads, 60 Photographs: A Qualitative Study of Undergraduate Information Practices in the Mobile Landscape

Presenters

  • Anne-Marie Deitering, Oregon State University
  • Margaret Mellinger, Oregon State University

Abstract

We know students use mobile technologies. We expect they will want to use them more. But how does having constant access affect the ways students think about, and use, information? In the fall of 2011 we gave six OSU undergraduates iPads and asked them to take a series of photographs that illustrate how their devices fit into their lives. In this session we will hear (and see) what they had to say.

Curation­-Friendly Tools for the Scientific Researcher

Presenters

  • Brian Westra, University of Oregon

Abstract

In this session we’ll look at two examples of tools that research faculty can use to manage data during the research process; define criteria for evaluating capacity for data curation support; and examine what it takes to do pilot cases between the library and research faculty. Finally, we’ll discuss other software and services that you or your research faculty are using to manage research data early in the data lifecycle.

Links

Data Visualization: Creating Beautiful, Elegant and Descriptive Visual Displays

Presenters

  • Jackie Wirz, Oregon Health Sciences University

Abstract

Data is everywhere, but too often, its presentation is about as interesting as a wet dishrag. I believe that data can be engaging when presented with clarity and style. This talk will discuss the basic principles of good visual design. Along the way, I will present case studies on the good, the bad and the ugly in data visualization. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but excellent visualization of data is priceless.

Links

Session 5