Speakers and moderators

Speakers:

Anne Catharine Andersen

Anne Catharine Andersen is a librarian and has been at ASB Library since 2003. She is the library’s contact to the Department of Business Studies at ASB and a member of the library development group working with digital rights. Among other things the development group sees to clear the library resources to be able to match the need for communicating content in digital form to the different stakeholders at ASB. Anne works with counseling and tutoring in information seeking and she is also super user of different reference management tools. Currently Anne is also following the Master Programme on ICT and Learning (MIL).

Refworksbloggen: A forum for communication and follow up on courses

Abstract: Last year the reference tools instructors from the ASB library were almost drowning in e-mails from students asking questions about functions and other features in their reference management tools. The instructors used plenty of time answering those questions and often it was the same kind of problems the students had. Contemporary with all these questions being asked staff and students at ASB were given the opportunity to post blogs on the ASB website (www.weblogs.asb.dk). At the library we were inspired by the new web 2.0 tools and decided to use a blog as a two-way communication form when dealing with the many relevant reference management questions from our students. With this media we are able to inform the students about our courses, guide them through specific functions, get feed-back and be a part of the new social media.

Solveig Bach Sandal

Solveig Bach Sandal has a Master in Library and Information science and has been at ASB Library since 2007. Solveig works with reference services, counseling and tutoring in information seeking and she is super user of different reference management tools. She is the library’s contact to the Department of Language and Corporate Communication at ASB and a member of the library development group working with integration between library and learning i.e. learning and the use of information in higher education. Currently Solveig is also working with social technologies in organizations, research libraries, and in the private sphere.

Refworksbloggen: A forum for communication and follow up on courses

Abstract: Last year the reference tools instructors from the ASB library were almost drowning in e-mails from students asking questions about functions and other features in their reference management tools. The instructors used plenty of time answering those questions and often it was the same kind of problems the students had. Contemporary with all these questions being asked staff and students at ASB were given the opportunity to post blogs on the ASB website (www.weblogs.asb.dk). At the library we were inspired by the new web 2.0 tools and decided to use a blog as a two-way communication form when dealing with the many relevant reference management questions from our students. With this media we are able to inform the students about our courses, guide them through specific functions, get feed-back and be a part of the new social media.

Guus van den Brekel

Guus van den Brekel is Coordinator Electronic Services of the Central Medical Library of a large academic teaching hospital in the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). He is a Medical Information Specialist as well as IT coordinator and responsible for Library Services Development and Innovation. He has been involved in developing and introducing the local Metalib system for the University Libraries (RUGCombine), as well as SFX implementation (RUGLinks) and the Electronic Reference Desk. Developing and delivering library services in the users workflow is his main focus. In workshops and presentations he delivers a strong plea for a focus-shift for librarians, a focus on the environments “where the users are”, instead of expecting them to come to us.

Exploration of relevant user environments, the use of new web-based technologies with Web 2.0 elements and a more structural, technical re-design of library information systems, is needed to deliver library services and resources at the place of need. In the next few years, the further development of social, educational and research networks, semantic search techniques and online personal start-page tools, will be dictating how users will look and search for information.

The introduction of the Library Toolbar and his paper “Into the User Environment” (www.eahil.net/newsletter/journal_2007_vol3_n1.pdf) was well reveiced in the European Medical Librarians community and beyond. The development of -and systematically offering- of “Library widgets” to users plus a Netvibes Universe for educational and instructional purpose is his latest project.

Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs), as Second Life, are interesting because of the great implications these environments will have on education, training and social life, but also on the exchange of information. In 2006 an NLM Grant-funded project “Providing Consumer Health Outreach and Library Programs to Virtual World Residents in Second Life” was started in which he and his organization partnered. In 2007 a new project followed with the purpose to create exhibits, programs, and awareness about accessibility and assistive technology (http://tinyurl.com/2arbma) and about virtual world accessibility in general for Second Life residents, but specifically for people with disabilities.

More information about Guus can be found at his personal blog called DIGICMB.

Libraries meet Research 2.0

Abstract: The development of better library information systems will always remain the core business of any serious library organization, but a shift took place towards (freely) available web-based tools for creating and managing the information workflow.

End-users are not only using these heavily, but are also creating their own preferred tools. Today’s students are incorporating Web 2.0 skills in daily life, in their social and learning environments. Tomorrow’s research staff will expect to be able to use their preferred tools and resources within their work environment. Today’s ánd tomorrow’s libraries should support students and staff in the learning and research process by integrating their services and resources into our patrons’ environments.

The growing use of social networks justifies the development of a library presence within these networks to reach out to our users.

The network (evolved by technology) is changing the users behaviour and that will affect the future of information services.

Malin Cantwell

Malin Cantwell is a librarian at Karolinska Institutet University Library, working with staff development, coordinating web efforts at the library, and teaches information literacy to students.

Great expectations! The fortunes and adversities of mobilizing academic library staff for the future

Abstract: Karolinska Institutet University Library is Sweden’s largest medical library. We serve the information needs of students and researchers at this large medical university. To meet the future needs our users, we set out to develop the skills of our library staff. Our aim was to - in one semester - raise awareness, disseminate knowledge and provide hands-on experience with emerging and popular Web 2.0 tools. This talk will be about our experiences with launching and completing this flexible learning project. It is the first stage in an effort to better understand how these tools can be used in communicating with our users and how we can support learning and research in an academic setting.

We will focus on our experiences of applying a flexible learning approach in a busy organisation, and share some of our joys and adversities during our project “10 things in 20 weeks”.

Eva Fåhraeus

Eva R Fåhræus has a PhD in technology focused on IT and learning, especially electronically mediated collaborative learning at a distance. 1995-2007 she was a teacher and researcher at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences at Stockholm University and KTH (Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm). Before that Fåhræus worked in the industry for 25 years with systems and organizations development, economic control, leadership and education.

Fåhræus is the author or co-author of many articles and book chapters. Two examples in the English language: A Triple Helix of Learning Processes – How to cultivate learning, communication and collaboration among distance-education learners (PhD dissertation, 2003), and Competent web dialogue: Thoughts linked in digital conversations (2007). Her most recent work is Learn where you are: a handbook for distance learners and others learning via the net (in Swedish, 2008).

Online Student 2.0 – e-remite or e-xhibitionist?

Abstract: Most young students of today are quite familiar with Facebook, RSS and other Web 2.0 functions. For them it would be natural to use these also when they study online. Not all teachers feel at ease with this technology, but there are plenty of examples of successful applications to be inspired by.

Examples of Web 2.0 functions used in distance courses:

• Wiki
• RSS
• Social bookmarks
• Social networks
• Virtual worlds

Is there a risk that students tend to act individualistic like e-remites? They feel they can manage by their own and create their own learning environment where they don’t have to bother about peer students or craving teachers. Or is it the opposite? They spend lots of time chatting with friends and asking others for help instead of trying to find information and doing their own homework.

The technology may inspire students to play with new tools and exhibit their work without self critique. Used in the right setting, this could be a relevant learning experience. In another situation, this could be boring and a bad example for other students.

Richard Gatarski

PhD, professional speaker and free lance advisor specialized in social media developments, marketing, and education.

Re:thinking publishing – a social media update

Abstract: Dr. Richard Gatarski will provide an overview of the latest developments within social media and Web 2.0. We will learn about technical terms such as micro blogging, wikis, tagging, RSS, mashups, podcasting, widgets, communities, and more. All presented with the help of cases that are demonstrated in a practical and entertaining fashion.

Beware! As a speaker Richard is experimenting with new, inspiring, and mutliple threaded forms of presentations - by some referred to as digital storytelling. The results are thought-provoking illustrations of contemporary life.

Brian Kelly

UK Web Focus is the job title of Brian Kelly. This post provides an advisory service on Web innovations, standards and best practices.

Brian is based at UKOLN, a national centre of expertise in digital information management.

Realising The Potential of Web 2.0

Abstract: The Nordlib 2.0 conference is understandably excited about the potential of Library 2.0 and Web 2.0, and will seek to inspire participants with a variety of presentations outlining how the Web 2.0 environment is helping to enrich teaching, learning and research activities within the community.

But are such developments sustainable? What about the risks associated with, say, the use of third party services with no formal contractual agreements? And what about legal concerns, related to privacy, copyright, accessibility, etc.? How should institutions respond to such concerns? Do such the concerns mean that institutions should ignore the benefits which Web 2.0 seems to promise? Or should institutions ignore such conservatism, and be willing to embrace the challenges of the brave new world of Web 2.0?

In this presentation Brian Kelly, a national Web adviser in the UK, will give his thoughts on how higher educational institutions should respond to these challenges.

Santiago de la Mora

Santiago de la Mora is the Partnerships Lead for Google Book Search in Europe, Middle East and Africa and as such he and his team manage the relationships with Google’s large and strategic partners in the publishing industry. Prior to Google, Mr. de la Mora spent 6 years in content production and sales on behalf of newspapers and magazines. Most recently, he was founder of a media company, Eko International, that worked with European business magazines to produce sectorial and country reports on Emerging Markets. He also has banking experience having worked at Société Générale for more than 3 years.

Mr. de la Mora holds an MBA from INSEAD as well as a B.A. in Political Science from Yale and a M.A. in International Policy Studies from Stanford.

Charles Seger

PhD-student at Royal school of library and information science. Research program: Information interaction and Information architecture.

Main supervisor: Associate professor Pia Borlund

Project supervisor: Associate professor Jesper Wiborg Schneider

PhD project: Folksonomies: When the user is the information architect

The PhD-project investigates and evaluates the potential of folksonomies for associating users with common characteristics for a recommender system.

User to User: The browsing for information through other users profiles

Abstract:

Have you ever looked for inspiration in other customers shopping cart in the supermarket?

Have you glanced at other customers shopping lists?Abstract: Folksonomies are the collection of metadata (tags) generated by the users’ indexing web content, and they offers users ability to see other users’ profiles. Folksonomies can be searched and browsed as a tool for knowledge discovery, and it gives users an insight in other users’ information behaviour hitherto not seen before. The purpose of this talk is to present folksonomies as a potential platform for users’ to browse information spaces. It is proposed that users’ can be associated with other users in a meaningful way, and that this can form basis for a folksonomy recommender system. The recommender system can suggest user profiles to users based on co-occurrences of tags in the users tag profiles.

This talk presents first part of a PhD-project that seeks to investigate and document the potential of folksonomies for associating users based on their employed tags.

Erik Stattin

Erik Stattin is a librarian at Karolinska Institutet University Library, working with web services at the library and teaches on the use of IT tools for learning.

Great expectations! The fortunes and adversities of mobilizing academic library staff for the future

Abstract: Karolinska Institutet University Library is Sweden’s largest medical library. We serve the information needs of students and researchers at this large medical university. To meet the future needs our users, we set out to develop the skills of our library staff. Our aim was to - in one semester - raise awareness, disseminate knowledge and provide hands-on experience with emerging and popular Web 2.0 tools. This talk will be about our experiences with launching and completing this flexible learning project. It is the first stage in an effort to better understand how these tools can be used in communicating with our users and how we can support learning and research in an academic setting.

We will focus on our experiences of applying a flexible learning approach in a busy organisation, and share some of our joys and adversities during our project “10 things in 20 weeks”.

Mats Wiklund

Lecturer at the Department of Computer & Systems sciences, Stockholm University

Online Games – from player initiated virtual activities to game worlds as domains for learning

Moderators:

Birte Christensen-Daalsgaard

Birte Christensen-Dalsgaard is Deputy Director of the Royal Library in Copenhagen, Denmark. She started her career in Theoretical Atomic Physics, where she got her Ph.D. in 1984. She left physics in ‘91 to focus on the development of multimedia learning application at UNI-C, the computing centre for research and education. Her work gradually changed towards developing applications running over high-speed network and towards digital libraries, and she got involved in management. The last five years at UNI-C she was head of R&D. In 2000, she took the consequence of her interest in information and generally library issues and became Head of IT Research and Development and later Director of Development at the State and University Library, in Aarhus.

Christina Tovoté

Christina Tovoté is pedagogical developer at Stockholm University Library, Sweden. Christina is responsible for the integration of information literacy (IL) and cooperation with faculty in courses and programmes. She is the initiator of several projects in the field of IL in Sweden, in the Nordic countries and internationally. In IFLA – International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions – (www.ifla.org) she initiated the Section on Management and Marketing and from its start she has been Secretary and Standing Committee member of the Information Literacy Section. In 2001 she started NordINFOLIT – Nordic Information Literacy Forum in which she is Chair of the Steering Board.