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Seminar on “Open Access in Research Area: A Strategic Approach” - Free Registration ! Limited Seats upto 50
by Nihal Alam 07 Dec '15

07 Dec '15

Seminar on “Open Access in Research Area: A Strategic Approach” 22 December 2015 | Seminar Hall, IHC. Lodhi Road, TERI, New Delhi Free Registration ! Limited Seats upto 50 on First-come-First served basis Open Access has become central importance to advancing the interests of researchers, scholars, students, business, and the public as well as librarians. Increasingly, research institutions require researchers to publish articles that report research findings openly accessible in open domain. Open Access pursues to yield scholarly publishing to spread knowledge and allow that knowledge to be built upon. Price barriers should not stop researchers from getting access to research data. Open Access, and the open availability and search ability of scholarly research that it entails, will have a significant positive impact on everything from education to the research practice in various fields. To explore why Open Access is so important to a number of groups, TERI Library along with The Centre for Internet & Society (CIS) as Knowledge Partner is organizing a half day seminar on Open Access in Research Areas: a Strategic Approach” on 22 December 2015 at TERI Seminar Hall, IHC, Lodhi Road, New Delhi Why you Should Attend The Seminar will focus on: • Wider access to scientific publications and research data • Open access typically focuses on access to scientific information and • Challenges and Opportunities of Research Data Programme Outline 13.45 – 14:00 hrs Registration and Networking 14:00 – 14:10 hrs Welcome Address Mr Prabir Sengupta, Distinguished Fellow and Director, KM Division, TERI 14:10 – 14.20 hrs Special Address Dr Sumandro Chattopadhyay, Research Director, The Centre for Internet & Society 14:20 – 14:35 hrs Keynote Address Dr K R Murali Mohan, Advisor, Big Data Initiatives Division, DST 14:35 –14:50 hrs Inaugural Address Dr Chandrima Shaha, Director, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi 14:50 – 15:00 hrs Setting the Theme and Vote of Thanks Dr P K Bhattacharya, Fellow and Area Convenor, LIC, TERI Tea and Refreshments 15:00 – 15:30 hrs Plenary Session 15:30– 17:15 hrs Chair: Dr Ramesh Sharma, Director CEMCA 15:30 – 16:00 hrs Mr Puneet Kishore, Science, Data and Creative Commons* 16:00 – 16:45 hrs Dr Beth Sandore Namachchivaya, Associate Dean of Libraries and Professor University of Illinois Topic: “Developing services, infrastructure, and best practices to conserve and provide access to research data: challenges and opportunities” 16:45 – 17:15 hrs Dr Usha Mujoo Munshi, Librarian, Indian institute of Public Administration *Invited For Registration please contact: Reeta Sharma TERI Tel. +91 11 2468 2100, 2468 2111 Fax +91 11 2468 2144, 2468 2145 E-mail reetas(a)teri.res.in Regards, Nihal Alam TERI -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Fwd: The CODATA-RDA School of Research Data Science: APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
by Usha Munshi 07 Dec '15

07 Dec '15

T o CODATA National Members, Please distribute the information below as widely as possible among your networks and members. Applications are now open for the CODATA-RDA School of Research Data Science The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics https://www.ictp.it/, in collaboration with CODATA http://www.codata.org/, RDA https://rd-alliance.org/node and TWAS http://twas.org/, is organising a short course in the data science approaches and skills that are essential for 21st century research. The CODATA-RDA Research Data Science Summer School will be held at the ICTP, Trieste, Italy from 1st to 12th August 2016. The ever-accelerating volume and variety of data being generated is having a huge impact on a wide variety of research disciplines, from the sciences to the humanities. The international, collective ability to create, share and analyse vast quantities of data is having a profound, transformative effect. This 'Data Revolution' offers great opportunities for students with modern data skills, both in conducting their research and in entering a jobs market where those skills are in demand. Contemporary research – particularly when addressing the most significant, transdisciplinary research challenges – cannot be done effectively without a range of skills relating to data. This includes the principles and practice of Open Science and research data management and curation, the use of a range of data platforms and infrastructures, large scale analysis, statistics, visualisation and modelling techniques, software development and annotation and more. We define ‘Research Data Science’ as the ensemble of these skills. TO APPLY VISIT http://indico.ictp.it/event/7658/ The deadline for applications is 18 April 2016 ___________________________ Dr Simon Hodson | Executive Director CODATA | http://www.codata.org E-Mail: simon(a)codata.org | Twitter: @simonhodson99 | Skype: simonhodson99 Blog: http://www.codata.org/blog Diary: http://bit.ly/simonhodson99-calendar Tel (Office): +33 1 45 25 04 96 | Tel (Cell): +33 6 86 30 42 59 CODATA (ICSU Committee on Data for Science and Technology), 5 rue Auguste Vacquerie, 75016 Paris, FRANCE -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Fwd: Advanced Training Programme on SHODHGANGA on 21 – 22 December, 2015 @ Information and Library Network Centre (INFLIBNET), Gandhinagar, Gujarat
by Archita M 07 Dec '15

07 Dec '15

Dear Friends, As you are aware, Shodhganga is a repository of Indian theses and dissertations, which is growing progressively and has crossed the mark of 50,000+ theses in 2015. Centre is receiving requests from Research community to impart specialized training for Shodhganga. In this context, “*2 Days Advanced Training Programme on Shodhganga*” is scheduled on payment basis at INFLIBNET Centre during *21 – 22 December, 2015*. The program will include detailed introduction, its work flow, technical process, creation of metadata and standards, submission of theses, authentication, backup, role and responsibilities of University Coordinator, Anti Plagiarism Check (URKUND) etc. The program will also have hands on training on DSpace which is the backend IR software used for building Shodhganga. If you are Shodhganga University Coordinator, Researcher/ Ph.D Holder, Research Supervisor, you are requested to attend the programme or depute someone who deals with Shodhganga. The registration fee is Rs. 3000/- (Rupees Three thousand only) per person without accommodation and Rs. 5000/- (Rupees Five thousand only) with accommodation (* The amount is inclusive of Service Tax at the Rate of 14.5% ). It includes training kit, lunch and tea (on two training days only). TA/DA and accommodation charges will have to be borne by sponsoring organizations/participants. Please register your name on or before *18th December, 2015*. For More details Please Visit, *http://www.inflibnet.ac.in/forthcoming/shodhganga_brochure.pdf <http://www.inflibnet.ac.in/forthcoming/shodhganga_brochure.pdf>* or Contact directly *Cource Coordinators:Shri Manoj Kumar K Scientist – D (Computer Science) INFLIBNET Centre Phone: 079-23268220 E-mail: manoj(a)inflibnet.ac.in <manoj(a)inflibnet.ac.in>* *H G Hosamani Scientist – C (Library Science)* *INFLIBNET Centre * *Phone: 079-23268313 * *E-mail: hosamani(a)inflibnet.ac.in <hosamani(a)inflibnet.ac.in> * -- With Regards, *Archita M Muchhadia* *Project Officer (LS)* *Shodhganga- IETD* *INFLIBNET Centre* *Infocity, Gandhinagar - 382007* *Phone: 079-23268227* *Email: archita(a)inflibnet.ac.in <archita(a)inflibnet.ac.in> , archita4ever(a)gmail.com <archita4ever(a)gmail.com> * -- With Regards, *Archita M Muchhadia* *Project Officer (LS)* *Shodhganga- IETD* *INFLIBNET Centre* *Infocity, Gandhinagar - 382007* *Phone: 079-23268227* *Email: archita(a)inflibnet.ac.in <archita(a)inflibnet.ac.in> , archita4ever(a)gmail.com <archita4ever(a)gmail.com> *

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Journal of Library Development - Invitation of articles
by Prahalad G Tadasad 07 Dec '15

07 Dec '15

*Dear LIS Professionals* *Journal of Library Development (ISSN: 2395-518X) has successfully brought out two issues of the first volume in 2015. Now the journal is planning to bring out issues on content specific themes by polarizing on a theme directing to development of Library and Library Science professionals and adds value to library literature. * *To be part of this exploration, a special issue of JLD (Volume 2, Issue 1 to be brought out in January 2016) will be dedicated to School Libraries as the editorial team firmly believes that it will be a timely output of relevance as school libraries are thriving very fast and important for primary education. * *In this direction, original contributions in the form of research articles, case studies, short communications, are invited by the LIS professionals on the theme “School Libraries”. The contributors are informed to submit the softcopy of their article through email to pgtadasad(a)gmail.com <pgtadasad(a)gmail.com> on or before January 10, 2016 which will be considered for publication on merit of the article cum availability of space. Contributors are informed to look into guidelines for authors available at www.jldonline.in <http://www.jldonline.in> * *Dr P G Tadasad* *Issue Editor on School Libraries, JLD* -- Dr P G Tadasad Professor and Chairman Department of Library and Information Science, University Nodal Officer RUSA and Coordinator AAA Nodal Officer - KSET Examinations Vijayapura Center Karnataka State Women's University, Jnanashakti, Torvi Bijapur 586108 Tel: 08352 229012 (O); 08352 240021 (O); 08352 272 436 (R); Mobile: 09448180973 (M) E-mil: pgtadasad(a)gmail.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Fwd: [etd] Call for papers - ETD2016 "Data and Dissertations"
by Dr Ramesh C Gaur 06 Dec '15

06 Dec '15

Dear All, Cfp for ETD 2016 is given below. Pl. hurry up as last date for submission if abstract fir paper presentation is January 15, 2016 only. Pl. forward this to all interested. Ramesh C Gaur Member Program Committee ETD 2016 Sent from iPad ************************************ Dr. Ramesh C Gaur PGDCA, MLISc,Ph.D. Fulbright Scholar (Virginia Tech, USA) University Librarian Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU) New Meharuli Road, New Delhi - 110067 Tele +91-11-26742605, 26704551 Fax : +91-11-26741603 Email: rcgaur(a)mail.jnu.ac.in ;rcgaur66(a)gmail.com URL: www.jnu.ac.in Brief Profile: http://www.jnu.ac.in/Library/RameshCGaur.htm Begin forwarded message: > From: Joachim Schopfel <joachim.schopfel(a)gmail.com> > Date: 5 December 2015 at 3:03:35 PM IST > To: ETD <etd(a)ndltd.org> > Subject: [etd] Call for papers - ETD2016 "Data and Dissertations" > > ETD2016, the 19th International Symposium on Electronic Theses and Dissertations, will take place from July 11 to July 13, 2016, at Lille. The conference will be hosted by the University of Lille 3 and co-organized with the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD), an international organization dedicated to promoting the adoption, creation, use, dissemination, and preservation of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). > > In 2016, the ETD International Symposium series comes for the first time to France. The theme of the conference is "Data and Dissertations", with a focus on the handling of research data produced by PhD students. As the former events of the series, ETD2016 will again provide delegates the unique opportunity to learn from each other, discuss new projects and initiatives, share experiences and good practices from around the world, and provide perspectives for further research and development. ETD2016 is open for university librarians and other information professionals interested in ETD and research data, scientists and scholars in library and information sciences, and LIS students. The conference language is English. > > Proposals for papers and posters are invited on all relevant topics in the field of electronic theses and dissertations, in particular > > Advanced technologies and infrastructures > Second generation ETD programs > Open science, open access, open repositories > Initiatives for better introducing PhD students to new ETD technologies > Long-term preservation > Identifiers > ETD publishing and embargoes > > Other papers and posters on ETDs can deal with text and data mining, research evaluation (ETDs and CRIS), legal and ethical aspects, semantic enrichment, special collections, digitization programs and national ETD policies. > > The main topic of ETD2016 will be “Data and Dissertations”, with a focus on initiatives, projects and experiences in the field of research data related to ETDs. Some questions for papers and posters: > > How should such research data be handled? > How do PhD students manage their own datasets? > What should be done to improve their data skills? > > And there are many other questions, e.g. legal and ethical issues, formats, identifiers, storage and long term preservation, workflows, best practices etc. > > ETD2016 will be a forum to discuss new developments and infrastructures and to provide insights and perspectives for further progress, in the global framework of open data and open science. > > We invite participants who want to present a paper or a poster at ETD2016 to submit an English abstract between 400 and 500 words. The abstract should clearly deal with the problem/goal, the applied methodology, and anticipated results. The abstract should also include the title of the paper or poster, name(s) of the author(s), and full address information. Each submitted abstract will be reviewed in double-blind by at least two members of the program committee. > > Abstracts for full papers and posters must be submitted on the conference website. Authors will be notified of the program committee's decision by end of February 2016. This notice will be accompanied by further guidelines and recommendations. > > The deadline for full papers is January 15, 2016. > > The deadline for posters is April 15, 2016. > > All information are on the conference website http://etd2016.sciencesconf.org/ > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ETD" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to etd+unsubscribe(a)ndltd.org. > To post to this group, send email to etd(a)ndltd.org. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/a/ndltd.org/group/etd/. > To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/ndltd.org/d/msgid/etd/CAKVDmC-kq4V4uOEsqhwOT6rU…. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/ndltd.org/d/optout.

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Call for paper: UGC sponsored National Conference on Recent Trends in Open access NCRTOA 2016
by Sumadevi Goleya 04 Dec '15

04 Dec '15

Dear All, I cordially invite you to contribute your paper in the National Conference on Recent Trends in Open access at University college of arts, Tumkur University, Tumkur on Jan, 9, 2016. Please visit the Conference website www.ncrtoa.weebly.com. http://www.tumkuruniversity.ac.in -- With Regards Sumadevi.S Asst. Librarian University College of Arts Tumkur University Tumkur Mob :9900138254 URL: http://tumkuruniversity.in/ URL: http://sumadevisgoleya.weebly.com/ Email: sumadevi(a)tumkuruniversity.in -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Invitation for DELNET Annual Lecture on December 11, 2015 at IIC
by Dr Sangeeta Kaul 04 Dec '15

04 Dec '15

Please confirm your participation ================================== DELNET-Developing Library Network & India International Centre cordially invite you & your collegues to the DELNET Annual Lecture on “Functioning in Challenging Times: Bridging the Expectation-Fulfillment Gap in Library & Information Services” by Prof. Subrata Chakraborty Former Dean & Director-in-Charge, Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow Former Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow on Friday, December 11, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at India International Centre, Conference Room II (above Dining Hall) 40 Lodi Estate, New Delhi-110003 Dr. H.K. Kaul, Director, DELNET will preside Tea: 6:00 p.m. RSVP:9810329992 _______________________________________________________________________________ Dr Sangeeta Kaul Network Manager DELNET-Developing Library Network Jawaharlal Nehru University Campus Nelson Mandela Road Vasant Kunj New Delhi-110070 Tel: 91-11-26742222, 26741266, 9810329992 (M) Fax: 91-11-26741122 Email: sangs(a)delnet.ren.nic.in, sangskaul2003(a)yahoo.co.in Web : www.delnet.nic.in ________________________________________________________________________________ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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New version of LibLiveDVD-Version-1.6(DSpace/Koha/Drupal)
by Sunita Barve 04 Dec '15

04 Dec '15

Dear all, We are happy to inform about the new release of LibLiveDVD version 1.6 . This release is made available for 32bit and 64bit machines. Both these versions can be downloaded from following links: http://sourceforge.net/projects/liblivecd/files/Version-1.6/liblive-1.6-64b… http://sourceforge.net/projects/liblivecd/files/Version-1.6/liblive-1.6-32b… The current version of LibLiveDVD contains lubuntu 14.04.03 LTS, Dspace-5.4, Koha-3.20 & Drupal 7.41. All these three software are pre-configured and pre-installed. Along with DSpace, Koha & Drupal, DVD also contains following server related software pre-installed such as:- Apache2 Web Server, Openssh, ftp Server, MySQL Server, PostGreSQL Server, Courier/Exim4 Mail Server, SquirrelMail Web Mail Client, Teamviewer and Minimum desktop environment. Drupal Content Management Open Source Software is added considering the requirements from libraries to create their library websites with dynamic look plus managing variety of content types. Koha is installed through lubuntu packages which will allow users to upgrade Koha with just two commands such as "apt-get update" & "apt-get upgrade koha-common". After installing libliveDVD login to root and upgrade your koha before using it on production machine to have latest version of koha running on your machines as koha brings out new versions almost every fort nightly. The web installation part of Koha is as well preconfigured in the DVD. Koha can directly be run by logging with user 'koha_library' with password 'library'. To input multilingual data in DSpace/Koha, IBUS input method is also installed on the DVD. Teamviewer 10 is preinstalled to share desktop for any help, Abiword for editing/reading word documents, gnumeric for using spreadsheets, vim/gedit for text editing and epdfview for reading PDF files, ssh for remote login. Libreoffice and multimedia related software are excluded from the DVD and these can easily be installed by running "System Tools-Synaptic Package Manager". If the synaptic “reload” does not work try changing repositories links to http://archives.ubuntu.com/ <http://archives.ubuntu.com/ubuntu> instead of http://in.archives.ubuntu.com/ <http://in.archives.ubuntu.com/ubuntu> and then search and install any other required software. lUbuntu operating system (Lightweight Operating System) is chosen considering requirements from libraries where libraries have low configuration desktops in their libraries but still wish to initiate their library web sites, initiate library automation, as well as wish to create digital libraries. With old desktops try to install 32bit version of DVD. For newer configurations of machines install 64bit version of the DVD. Please follow proper installation steps to install LibLiveDVD if you wish to have dual boot i.e. windows as well as linux installation on your machines. After installing if the ClickMe option on Desktop does not work still Firefox can be run through Start-Internet-Firefox and then running http://localhost. This error comes only if proper network is not detected automatically by the system after installation. We request you to let us know if you find any major issues after installing any of the iso's. We would greatly appreciate your valuable feedback. Please send any feed back to: ard(a)drtc.isibang.ac.in ; ardprasad(a)gmail.com OR sunitabarve(a)gmail.com ; sa.barve(a)ncl.res.in with reg, Sunita Barve, Ph. D. Senior Technical Officer National Chemical Laboratory Dr, Homi Bhaba Road Pune 411008, INDIA Email :sunitabarve@gmail.com http://sunitabarve.googlepages.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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CALL for Proposals for Open Repositories 2016
by Imma Subirats 04 Dec '15

04 Dec '15

>From the Open Repositories Conference 2016 organizers December 1, 2015 Read it online: http://or2016.net/call-for-papers/ * Call for Proposals for Open Repositories 2016: Illuminating the World * The Eleventh International Conference on Open Repositories, OR2016, will be held on June 13th-16th, 2016in Dublin, Ireland. The organizers are pleased to issue this call for contributions to the program. As previous Open Repositories have demonstrated, the use of digital repositories to manage research, scholarly and cultural information is well established and increasingly mature. Entering our second decade, we have an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and, more importantly, where we’re heading. New development continues apace, and we’ve reached the time when many organizations are exploring expansive connections with larger processes both inside and outside traditional boundaries. Open Repositories 2016 will explore how our rich collections and infrastructure are now an inherent part of contemporary scholarship and research and how they have expanded to touch many aspects of our academic and cultural enterprises. The theme of OR2016 is “Illuminating the World.” OR2016 will provide an opportunity to explore the ways in which repositories and related infrastructure and processes: * bring different disciplines, collections, and people to light; * expose research, scholarship, and collections from developing countries; * increase openness of collections, software, data and workflows; * highlight data patterns and user pathways through collections; and * how we can organize to better support these - and other - infrastructures. We welcome proposals on these ideas, but also on the theoretical, practical, technical, organizational or administrative topics related to digital repositories. Submissions that demonstrate original and repository-related work outside of these themes will be considered, but preference will be given to submissions which address them. We are particularly interested in the following themes. 1. Supporting Open Scholarship, Open Data, and Open Science Papers are invited to consider how repositories can best support the needs of open science and open scholarship to make research as accessible and useful as possible, including: * Open access, open data and open educational resources * Scholarly workflows, publishing and communicating scientific knowledge * Exposure of research and scholarship from developing countries and under-resourced communities and disciplines * Compliance with funder mandates 2. Repositories and Cultural Heritage Papers are invited to consider how repositories and their associated infrastructures best support the needs of cultural heritage collections, organizations, and researchers. Areas of interest include: * Impact of aggregation on repository infrastructure and management * Exposure of collections and cultural heritage from developing countries and under-resourced communities and disciplines * Special considerations in access and use of cultural heritage collections * Reuse and analysis of content. 3. Repositories of high volume and/or complex data and collections Papers are invited to consider how we can use tools and processes to highlight data patterns and user pathways through large corporas including: * Data and text mining * Entity recognition * Linked data * Standardized interfaces * Interaction with large-scale computation and simulation processes * Issues of scale and size beyond traditional repository contexts 4. Managing Research Data, Software, and Workflows Papers are invited to consider how repositories can support the needs of research data and related software and workflows. Areas of interest are: * Curation lifecycle management, including storage, software and workflows * Digital preservation tools and services * Reuse and analysis of scientific content * Scholarly workflows, publishing and communicating scientific knowledge 5. Integrating with the Wider Web and External Systems Papers are invited to explore, evaluate, or demonstrate integration with external systems, including: * CRIS and research management systems * Notification and compliance tracking systems * Identifier services * Preservation services and repositories * Publisher systems * Collection management systems and workflows 6. Exploring Metrics, Assessment, and Impact Papers are invited to present experiences on metrics and assessment services for a range of content, including: * Bibliometrics * Downloads (e.g. COUNTER compliance) * Altmetrics and other alternative methods of tracking and presenting impact 7. Managing Rights Papers are invited to examine the role of rights management in the context of open repositories, including: * Research and scholarly communication outputs * Licenses (e.g. Creative Commons, Open Data Commons) * Embargoes * Requirements of funder mandates 8. Developing and Training Staff Papers are invited to consider the evolving role of staff who support and manage repositories across libraries, cultural heritage organizations, research offices and computer centres, especially: * New roles and responsibilities * Training needs and opportunities * Career path and recruitment * Community support KEY DATES * 01 February 2016: Deadline for submissions and Scholarship Programme applications * 01 February 2016: Registration opens * 28 March 2016: Submitters notified of acceptance to general conference * 11 April 2016: Submitters notified of acceptance to Interest Groups * 13-16 June 2016: OR2016 conference SUBMISSION PROCESS * Conference Papers and Panels * We expect that proposals for papers or panels will be two to four-pages (see below for optional Proposal Templates). Abstracts of accepted papers and panels will be made available through the conference's web site, and later they and associated materials will be made available in an open repository. In general, sessions will have three papers; panels may take an entire session or may be combined with a paper. Relevant papers unsuccessful in the main track will be considered for inclusion, as appropriate, as an Interest Group presentation, poster or 24/7. * Interest Group Presentations * The opportunity to engage with and learn more about the work of relevant communities of interest is a key element of Open Repositories. One to two page proposals are invited for presentations or panels that focus on the work of such communities, traditionally DSpace, EPrints, Fedora, and Invenio, describing novel experiences or developments in the construction and use of repositories involving issues specific to these technical platforms. Further information about applications for additional Interest Groups and guidance on submissions will be forthcoming. * 24x7 Presentations * 24x7 presentations are 7 minute presentations comprising no more than 24 slides. Proposals for 24x7 presentations should be one to two-pages. Similar to Pecha Kuchas or Lightning Talks, these 24x7 presentations will be grouped into blocks based on conference themes, with each block followed by a moderated discussion / question and answer session involving the audience and whole block of presenters. This format will provide conference goers with a fast-paced survey of like work across many institutions, and presenters the chance to disseminate their work in more depth and context than a traditional poster. * "Repository RANTS" 24x7 Block * One block of 24x7's will revolve around "repository rants": brief exposés that challenge the conventional wisdom or practice, and highlight what the repository community is doing that is misguided, or perhaps just missing altogether. The top proposals will be incorporated into a track meant to provoke unconventional approaches to repository services. * "Repository RAVES" 24x7 Block * One block of 24x7's at OR2016 will revolve around "repository raves": brief exposés that celebrate particular practice and processes, and highlight what the repository community is doing that is right. The top proposals will be incorporated into a track meant to celebrate successful approaches to repository services. * Posters * We invite one-page proposals for posters that showcase current work. Attendees will view and discuss your work during the poster reception. * 2016 Developer Track: Top Tips, Cunning Code and Illuminating Insights * Each year a significant proportion of the delegates at Open Repositories are software developers who work on repository software or related services. OR2016 will feature a Developer Track and Ideas Challenge that will provide a focus for showcasing work and exchanging ideas. Building on the success of last year's Developer Track, where we encouraged live hacking and audience participation, we invite members of the technical community to share the features, systems, tools and best practices that are important to you. Presentations can be as informal as you like, but once again we encourage live demonstrations, tours of code repositories, examples of cool features and the unique viewpoints that so many members of our community possess. Submissions should take the form of a title and a brief outline of what will be shared with the community. Further details and guidance on the Ideas Challenge will be forthcoming. Developers are also encouraged to contribute to the other tracks as papers, posters, 24x7 presentations, repository raves and rants 24x7 blocks. * Workshops and Tutorials * One to two-page proposals for workshops and tutorials addressing theoretical or practical issues around digital repositories are welcomed. Please address the following in your proposal: * The subject of the event and what knowledge you intend to convey * Length of session (e.g., 1-hour, 2-hour, half a day or a whole day) * A brief statement on the learning outcomes from the session * How many attendees you plan to accommodate * Technology and facility requirements * Any other supplies or support required * Anything else you believe is pertinent to carrying out the session Proposal Templates The OR2016 proposal templates are a guideline to help you prepare an effective submission. They will be provided in both the Word document and plain-text Markdown formats and provide details around the requirements for conference papers and panels and 24/7's and posters. These will be available from the conference website shortly. Submission system The conference system will be open for submissions by 15 December 2015. PDF format is preferred. CODE OF CONDUCT We will be publishing guidelines for conduct at OR2016. As a reference, the OR2015 Code of Conduct is available at http://www.or2015.net/code-of-conduct/ and the 2015 Anti-Harrassment Policy is athttp://www.or2015.net/anti-harassment-policy/. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME OR2016 will again run a Scholarship Programme which will enable us to provide support for a small number of full registered places (including the poster reception and banquet) for the conference in Dublin. The programme is open to librarians, repository managers, developers and researchers in digital libraries and related fields. Applicants submitting a paper for the conference will be given priority consideration for funding. Please note that the programme does not cover costs such as accommodation, travel and subsistence. It is anticipated that the applicant’s home institution will provide financial support to supplement the OR Scholarship Award. Full details and an application form will shortly be available on the conference website. CONTACT INFORMATION Program Co-Chairs * David Minor, University of California, San Diego * Matthias Razum, FIZ Karlsruhe * Sarah Shreeves, University of Miami contact: or16-program-chairs(a)googlegroups.com Local Hosts * Trinity College Dublin <https://www.tcd.ie/> contact: OR2016(a)conferencepartners.ie Conference Website and Social Media * website: http://or2016.net/ * twitter: @OR2016Dub and #or2016Dub * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ORConference/ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Nature's fury in Chennai and Tamil Nadu
by Subbiah Arunachalam 04 Dec '15

04 Dec '15

Friends: I live in Chennai. People in this city, neighbouring districts and virtually all of coastal Tamil Nadu are reeling under unprecedented rains. The weather office says that in some places we have had more than *40 cm* of rain in a day. Added to that large swathes of the city were flooded and the water had nowhere to go or drain. We had about four feet of water in front of where I live for more than three days. There was no electricity. For more than three days we stayed indoor in darkness during the night. Honestly we were better off. People living in low-lying areas and smaller accommodations had it worse. The Armed Forces came to the rescue. In times such as these they are our best hope (although we did not see them operating in the area where I live). Some members of this list called me to find out if I was OK., Others might have attempted, but we lost the network! After a long time we have electricity restored and I am not sure how long it would last. I just wanted to tell you all that by and large people in this city seem to be facing the situation with courage and fortitude. And helping each other. No reason for panic. Arun http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4398-4658 http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-9925-2009 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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