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Technology for libraries
by Mailing List Manager 03 Mar '04

03 Mar '04

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2004 09:34:19 +0530 From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> Here is an article by a well-known professional and columnist. Many Indian librarians may find it useful. Although this article talks of commercial products, I thought it could trigger some research and action among computer-savvy Indian librarians. Best wishes. Arun Cool Tech Tools for Libraries By Paula J. Hane While thinking about topics for this article, I was struck by how frequently I'm drawn to discussing search engine developments, enterprise content management solutions, and visualization interfaces-kind of techie stuff. What about some good, solid news about libraries, I thought? So, in reviewing the news and developments over the last few weeks, I was pleased to find a couple of interesting announcements of products that offer libraries real help in doing their jobs better. And, guess what? The products are the result of some neat technological advances-they're cool techie tools. I've been following news about applications for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for more than a dozen years. The April 1992 cover story of Database magazine (which I edited at the time) was an introduction to GIS and detailed the linking of maps and databases for business applications. Now, a small, privately owned company in Pasadena, Calif., called CIVIC Technologies (<http://www.civictechnologies.com>) is helping libraries use a specialized GIS tool to help deliver more effective public services. Marc Futterman, president and CEO, is an architect who used GIS in city planning and realized the potential for libraries to take advantage of similar tools. In 1999, he co-founded CIVIC Technologies, which offered a customized GIS application designed specifically to help librarians understand and use their data for planning and decision-making purposes. The company uses GIS technology developed by its business partner, Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI), a well-known GIS developer. Last year, LibraryDecision was introduced as a Web service. Since then, a variety of public libraries throughout the U.S. have selected it to better match library services to user needs, reallocate resources, revise service area boundaries, and plan for new facilities. LibraryDecision helps librarians analyze, visualize, and interpret demographic data (census and local geographic data) in combination with information from their ILS on patron usage, collections, circulation, and facilities. Combining these and other diverse sources gives librarians a clear picture of their community and provides insights into the patterns of library usage and service demand. Current customers of LibraryDecision are incorporating ILS information from Dynix, TLC, and Innovative systems. According to Futterman: "We designed LibraryDecision to be useful to a diverse range of public libraries and each of our customer's conditions are [sic] unique: size, location, and population. What they have in common is the need for a robust, but affordable, GIS tool set that will enable them to intelligently plan for and manage the delivery of more effective public services." LibraryDecision has a tiered pricing model, depending on the number and type of libraries. A small, single-library jurisdiction can expect to pay under $1,000, while the cost for the largest multisite library might be $15,000. Futterman said the company would be announcing partnerships with some of the ILS vendors and was looking at future joint-product development with ESRI. I hear from a colleague that there are two other GIS applications for libraries: GeoLib (<http://www.geolib.org>), an IMLS grant program at Florida State University, and CybraryView (<http://www.cybraryn.com>). I haven't checked them out yet, but you might want to if you need planning assistance. One company that is well-known in library circles is Sirsi Corp., which is celebrating 25 years in business. The company just announced several innovative products that build upon its Sirsi Rooms technology, which provides content in the context of "virtual rooms." The new Sirsi Digital Community Center Kiosk is an ATM-like device with a touch screen monitor that makes it possible for libraries to deliver information, resources, and services to people and places that might otherwise not have access to the physical library. Fred E. Goodman, president of Public Information Kiosk, Inc. (<http://www.pik.com/pik>), Sirsi's partner for the kiosk device, stated: "The kiosks are the first units designed to deliver community information, resources, and services in an unattended environment, providing users with self-service options 24 hours per day. The kiosks are easily installed in shopping malls, government office buildings, senior citizen complexes, hospitals, transportation centers, and other high-traffic locations where citizens live, learn, work, and seek information." The kiosk device plus the virtual room construct gives libraries a chance to make a real difference in public places in their communities, delivering valuable content and resources geared to specific needs. It greatly expands a library's service capabilities and extends its reach and visibility. Sirsi also introduced the Sirsi Digital Heritage Room, powered by Sirsi Hyperion Digital Media Archive and Sirsi Rooms technologies. The new Web-hosted solution provides libraries with an easy and cost-effective way to preserve images, documents, and more. It is especially designed for libraries that may not have the resources for scanning collections, data loading, or administering a server with digital content. Sirsi will scan and bulk-load the images and associated metadata, which is fully searchable. As an optional feature, the textual material in the collection-newspapers, documents, journals-can be indexed and searched using full-text search capabilities licensed from Convera Corp. The product is scheduled to be available in the spring of 2004. Cool technology that helps libraries provide better library services. I like it. Paula J. Hane is Information Today, Inc.'s news bureau chief and editor of NewsBreaks. Her e-mail address is phane(a)infotoday.com <mailto:phane@infotoday.com>.

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IFLA has formally endorsed open access publishing
by Mailing List Manager 03 Mar '04

03 Mar '04

From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in, franc(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Friends: IFLA has formally endorsed open access publishing: http://www.ifla.org/V/press/oa240204.html IFLA supports Open Access movement PRESS RELEASE 24 February 2004 IFLA HQ The Hague, Netherlands The IFLA Governing Board has adopted a statement on 'Open access to Scholarly Literature and Research documentation </V/cdoc/open-access04.html>' Welcoming the IFLA statement, President-elect Alex Byrne noted IFLA's long commitment to open access to information, especially its concern for access to scholarly literature in the developing world. He said: "IFLA recognises that achieving affordable, global access to scholarly information and research documentation will require a great deal of commitment and a variety of strategies. IFLA strongly supports the Open Access movement and welcomes the launch of many OA compliant publications. IFLA also acknowledges the need to address the challenge on a number of fronts and in partnership with many stakeholders." One of the principal concerns identified by Alex Byrne was to support and defend the moral rights of creators, while simultaneously seeking balance in copyright legislation to protect and extend the public domain and public interest in access to information. "This is fundamental to many areas including health, education, development and culture", he added. Subbiah Arunachalam

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10th annual lectures of Informatics - was very informative (fwd)
by Mailing List Manager 01 Mar '04

01 Mar '04

Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 12:35:25 +0530 From: Rajeev K R <krr(a)sasken.com> Hi, 10th annual lectures of Informatics held on yesterday at Leea Palace, Bangalore was very informative. On behalf of Library professionals, I would like to thank all Informatics team members to organise such an interesting & informative lecture. Mr. Mick Bass - HP Labs, the man behind Dspace delivered a 2 hr intresting lecture on Dspace architecture and other details. He pointed that there are only few organisations in the world which have started to explore the full features of Dspace. In India, there is only one fully productive site and it is at DRTC, ISI. The digital library site (on Dspace) at DRTC (https://drtc.isibang.ac.in/index.jsp) is specifically designed for dessiminating the Library/Information resources. So you may upload your papers/articles at DRTC digial library to make it available to the whole library community. With Warm Regards Rajeev K R Library & Information Center Sasken Communication Technologies Limited 139/25, Ring Road, Domlur Bangalore - 560071 India Email: krr(a)sasken.com Tel: + 91 80 25355501 Extn: 2021 Fax: + 91 80 25351133 URL: www.sasken.com

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Global Biodiversity Database
by Mailing List Manager 01 Mar '04

01 Mar '04

Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 12:54:10 +0530 From: Subbiah Arunachalam <arun(a)mssrf.res.in> Friends: > Here is something of interest to information scientists. From the latest > issue of Science (AAAS). All Indian Biodiversity databases should join > this world initiative. > > For years, experts have dreamed of a single Web site that would unite all > knowledge of the world's living things. Last month, an effort to do just > that debuted: the Global Biodiversity Information Facility's (GBIF's) new > Biodiversity Data Portal. The site lets users simultaneously search over 1 > million taxonomic records from museum collections, botanical gardens, and > global storehouses such as FishBase. Whether you're curious about a > mushroom, a newt, or the bacterium that causes tetanus, the portal > provides the latest on classification and nomenclature. Some of the > 30-plus linked data sources allow you to browse collection and observation > records and use them to map species' distributions. Others, such as > CephBase, also list details such as diet and size for creatures like the > white-spotted octopus (Octopus macropus). GBIF, a consortium of more than > 30 countries, hopes that more museums and other organizations will connect > their databases. > <http://www.gbif.net/portal> > Regards. > Arun > [Subbiah Arunachalam] > >

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Invitation to 10th Annual Lecture on Informatics
by Mailing List Manager 26 Feb '04

26 Feb '04

Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 17:36:50 +0530 From: mouna1 <mouna1(a)informindia.co.in> Informatics (India) Limited, Bangalore Cordially invites you to 10th ANNUAL LECTURE ON INFORMATICS and WORKSHOP ON DSpace Date : 29 February 2004 -- Sunday Time : 10.15AM - 4PM Venue : The Leela Palace, (Grand Ball Room), Airport Road, Bangalore PROGRAM DETAILS Morning: 10:15AM--12:45PM: ANNUAL LECTURE ON INFORMATICS PRESIDED BY Padmavibhushan Dr K Kasturirangan, MP, Rajyasabha Former Chairman, ISRO, Bangalore SPEAKERS Padmashri Prof. P Balaram, Editor, Current Science Professor, Molecular Biophysics Unit. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, TOPIC: SCIENCE AND THE SCIENTOMETRICS Dr (Ms) Ching-Chih Chen, Professor, Graduate School of Library & Information Science, Simmons College, Boston, USA . TOPIC : PAST FORWARD - DIGITAL MEDIA FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE Post Lunch : 2PM - 4PM : WORKSHOP ON DSpace (Jointly organized by HP Labs India and Informatics (India) Ltd) PRESIDED BY Prof. J Shashidhara Prasad Vice Chancellor, University of Mysore, Mysore Presented by : Mr Mick Bass, Manager - Research and Business Development, HP Laboratories Hewlett-Packard Company, USA REGISTRATION IS FREE. CONTACT ; mouna(a)informindia.co.in <mailto:mouna@informindia.co.in> Phone : 91 80 23365940 ( Priya ) FAX : 91 80 23344598 ____________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________ About DSpace and The Workshop: DSpace (<www.DSpace.org> <<http://www.dspace.org>>) is an open-source institutional repository system developed by HP Labs and MITLibraries. Mr Mick Bass, HP's Research Manager responsible for DSpace, will provide an overview of the DSpace system and describe a range of supporting efforts to which HP and MIT are contributing. Mick will describe the functionality of the current and upcoming 1.2 release of the DSpace system, and the DSpace Roadmap beyond the 1.2 release. He will also describe SIMILE (web.mit.edu/simile) a current research activity which aims to augment DSpace using Semantic Web Components and Techniques to provide end-to-end support for capturing, navigating, browsing, and searching heterogeneous community-specific schemes, metadata, and content types. ____________________________________________________________________________ _________

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[DIGLIB] DPC/OCLC: An Introduction to OAIS (Open Archival Information System) - fwd
by Mailing List Manager 26 Feb '04

26 Feb '04

Please excuse cross postings. Thanks, Smita C. Librarian Indian Institute of Geomagnetism New Mumbai The first of a series of Technology Watch reports commissioned by the DPC is now available from: http://www.dpconline.org/graphics/reports/index.html#intoais The aims of the DPC Technology Watch Service are to identify and track developments in IT, standards and tools which are critical to digital preservation activities. The DPC has commissioned reports from experts on topics known to be of crucial interest and importance for digital preservation. The reports have been specifically commissioned to be written in a style which is suitable for a national and international audience with a wide range of backgrounds and written in clear, plain English which avoids unnecessary jargon and acronyms. The first of these reports is a DPC/OCLC report on An Introduction to OAIS (Open Archival Information System), authored by Brian Lavoie, from OCLC. The influence of OAIS extended, at a very early stage, well beyond the space data community it was initiated by but it still retains an aura of a complex framework applicable only to a highly specialised community. This report provides a clear introduction to OAIS accessible to all who have an interest in preserving digital information. It provides practical examples as well as contextual information about the development of OAIS. **************************** Maggie Jones DPC Coordinator Raymond Burton Library University of York Heslington YORK Y010 5DD Tel: +44 (0) 1904 321 131 Email: mjj4(a)york.ac.uk http://www.dpconline.org

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quotes on Library and Librarianship
by Mailing List Manager 26 Feb '04

26 Feb '04

Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 05:54:47 +0000 (GMT) From: "[iso-8859-1] RANJAN BARIK" <ranjan_tld(a)yahoo.co.in> Dear friends, Some quotations on Library and L ibrarianship. http://www.ifla.org/I/humour/subj.htm#book Thanks Ranjan K Barik INFLIBNET Centre, Ahmedabad

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InfoWatch - February 2004
by M.R Lalitha 26 Feb '04

26 Feb '04

Dear LIS-Forum member, The February 2004 issue of InfoWatch is now online, bringing you details of new Internet sites related to Science and Engineering. You can access the complete issue on the NCSI Web server at the URL : http://www.ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/infowatch/iw.php You will also find earlier issues of InfoWatch here. For your convenience, the table of contents is given below. If you wish to be on the mailing list of InfoWatch to receive the complete issue by e-mail, let us know. Also mention your format preference - html or text. Regards -Lalitha M.R lalitha(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in ------------------------------------------------------------------------ InfoWatch Tracking Networked Scientific Information Sources and Services (An electronic update service brought to you by NCSI) Feb 2004 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In This Issue: 1. Achievement for all - Solving crucial problems through education 2. Acronym Finder 3. Atmospheric Optics 4. Bitpipe.com [A library of white papers, webcasts, case studies and product information in IT] 5. CACHE - A post-relational database 6. Coatings Guide [A pollution prevention tool for paints and coatings users] 7. DESY - The ZEUS experiment 8. ECOLEX - A gateway of environmental law 9. Free schematic diagrams from Glolab 10. Indian National Academy of Engineering 11. Material Data Network 12. NASA's Global Tropospheric Experiment (GTE) 13. Opening Gateways - The guide and online workbench 14. Photonics dictionary 15. RESID Database - A protein information resource 16. SAIL-eprints [Search, Alert, Impact and Link] 17. Science-A-GoGo [Latest science news and discussion forum] 18. SiD Design Guides - Accessible ideas for designers 19. SyntheticPages - An interactive database of chemical procedures 20. WSEAS [World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ About InfoWatch : InfoWatch is a monthly electronic newsletter, brought out by the National Centre for Science Information (NCSI) Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore - 560 012, INDIA. Information in the newsletter is collected and verified by NCSI staff.The newsletter aims to raise awareness of new sources of information on the Internet, particularly those which are relevant for higher education and research. Some items may be of relevance only to the IISc community.Resources reported here have been taken from various discussion lists and other network tools and no special claims are made for accuracy or originality. Most of the sources cited in the newsletter were checked at the time of publication, however it is possible that some of the resources are no longer available. We welcome comments about the newsletter and suggestions for resources to be featured. Please e-mail your comments to Infowatch editors: Ms. K. Thulasi (thulasi(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in) & Ms. M. R. Lalitha (lalitha(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in) ------------------------------------------------------------------------

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President Speech on INAUGURATION OF ICDL - 2004
by Mailing List Manager 25 Feb '04

25 Feb '04

Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 07:11:09 -0800 (PST) From: Mr.G.Bhojaraju <bhojarajug(a)yahoo.com> Dear Professional Colleagues, Pl refer to the following link for the speech on INAUGURATION OF ICDL - 2004 given by Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, President of India, today at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. http://www.presidentofindia.nic.in/scripts/eventslatest1.jsp?id=492 INAUGURATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DIGITAL LIBRARIES - 2004 24-02-2004 : New Delhi Digital Library and its Multidimensions ...... with regards Bhojaraju.G www.bhojarajug.cjb.net Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association (IRMRA), (ISO-9001 Certified), B-88 Road No. 24/ U-2, Wagle Industrial Estate,Thane - 400604. INDIA. Ph:022-25811348, 25803753 Fax: 25823910 Mob: 9892380905 E-mail : bhojarajug(a)yahoo.com www.irmra.org Homepage : http://www.bhojarajug.cjb.net/ --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. --0-412874553-1077635469=:51244 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii <DIV>Dear Professional Colleagues,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Pl refer to the following link for the speech on INAUGURATION OF ICDL - 2004 given by </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, President of India, today at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=subheading><STRONG><A href="http://www.presidentofindia.nic.in/scripts/eventslatest1.jsp?id=492">http://www.presidentofindia.nic.in/scripts/eventslatest1.jsp?id=492</A></STRONG></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=subheading><STRONG></STRONG></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=subheading><STRONG>INAUGURATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DIGITAL LIBRARIES - 2004</STRONG> </SPAN><BR><SPAN class=subheading>24-02-2004 : New Delhi</SPAN> <BR> <BR><SPAN class=sep></SPAN><SPAN class=lean>Digital Library and its Multidimensions</SPAN><SPAN class=sep></SPAN> ......</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>with regards</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Bhojaraju.G</DIV> <DIV><A href="http://www.bhojarajug.cjb.net">www.bhojarajug.cjb.net</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR><BR><DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <ADDRESS><FONT color=#c00000 face="times new roman" size=3>Please acknowledge the receipt of the mail !!!</FONT></ADDRESS> <ADDRESS><FONT color=blue face=verdana>G.Bhojaraju.</FONT></ADDRESS> <ADDRESS><FONT face=verdana><FONT color=#ff00ff><FONT color=#00407f>Library-cum-Information Officer,<BR>Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association (IRMRA),<BR>(ISO-9001 Certified), B-88 Road No. 24/ U-2, <BR>Wagle Industrial Estate,Thane - 400604. INDIA.<BR>Ph:022-25811348, 25803753 Fax: 25823910 </FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT face=verdana><FONT color=#ff00ff><FONT color=#00407f>Mob: 9892380905<BR><FONT color=#ff00ff>E-mail :</FONT> </FONT><A href="mailto:bhojarajug@yahoo.com">bhojarajug(a)yahoo.com</A>     <A href="http://www.irmra.org/">www.irmra.org</A>   Homepage : http://www.bhojarajug.cjb.net/  </FONT></FONT></ADDRESS></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV><p><hr SIZE=1> Do you Yahoo!?<br> <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mailtag_us/*http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools?tool=1">Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard</a> - Read only the mail you want.</a> --0-412874553-1077635469=:51244--

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Video Conference
by DRTC General 23 Feb '04

23 Feb '04

Association of British Scholars (Bangalore Chapter), British Library, Bangalore and Documentation Research and Training Centere, Bangalore invite you to a VIDEO CONFERENCE ON DIGITAL LIBRARIES on 3rd March 2004, Wednesday at British Library Prestige Takt, 23 Kasturba Road Circle Bangalore 560001 at 6.00 PM Speakers Topic Dr. Alan Hopkinson, Head of Library Systems Digital Libraries & Meta Middlesex University, London Data Dr. A.R.D. Prasad, ISI/DRTC, Bangalore Digital Library: Indian Scenario K.T. Rajan I.H Jahagirdar Secretary, ABS, Karnataka Chapter Manager, British Library I.K Ravichandra Rao Prof. & Head, ISI/DRTC

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