Invitation: Information Without Borders Conference – Open Access & Closed Content: The Information Dichotomy

We are pleased to extend to you our warm invitation to this year’s Information Without Borders Conference, happening February 9, 2012.

This year’s conference will explore how information markets are in a dynamic state of redefinition. Topics will include the growing movement toward open access repositories and open source technology, as well as related issues pertaining to copyright law and the long-term preservation of digital materials. Speakers with diverse professional backgrounds in information management, business, and government will contribute a rich mix of viewpoints.

For your interest, our keynote speakers are as follows:

• Leslie Chan, Program Supervisor for the Joint Program in New Media Studies and International Development at the University of Toronto at Scarborough. Mr. Chan is one of the original signatories of the Budapest Open Access Initiative and has served as the Associate Director of Bioline International since 2000.
• Jeff Shelstad, CEO and Co-founder of Flat World Knowledge, an open textbook company that offers affordable and flexible textbook solutions.

New this year, we are also hosting a formal debate session! Two teams of local library and information management professionals will debate the relevance of the IM field in the face of increasing information accessibility. Please visit our website for full scheduling and speaker details.

Registration is now available online at www.iwbconference.ca, and our early bird fees are in effect until January 13, 2012.

We look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,

The Information Without Borders Conference Committee

IM Public Lecture – The Freedom to Read in Canada: Is the Door Opening or Closing?

Date: Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
Time: 1:30-2:30
Location: Dalhousie University, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building (6100 University Avenue) Rowe 1020

An analysis of censorship incidents in Canada and abroad within the last 12 months reveals a disturbing trail of restricted access to information. Dr. Curry will discuss the freedom to read in its broadest context, and how this freedom philosophy has been implemented or incinerated in various situations.

Ann Curry is a professor and past director at the School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alberta in Edmonton. Previously, she taught at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver for 18 years and worked for 19 years in special, college, and public libraries in Canada and Australia. She is an award-winning teacher, and speaks frequently at conferences regarding intellectual freedom, library architecture, and the role of public libraries.

Information without Borders Conference 2011

Dalhousie University’s School of Information Management is pleased to announce the 5th annual Information without Borders conference, Change Management: Anticipation and adaptation in the information landscape.

This year’s speakers include Pam Bjornson from NRC-CISTI, University of PEI librarian Mark Leggott, Green IT consultant Bill St. Arnaud, Alex Benay from Open Text, as well as seven other business and information management professionals. All will be speaking about the innovations and challenges in dealing with a complex and constantly shifting information landscape.

The 2011 conference will take place on Thursday, February 3 in the McInnes Room, Student Union Building on the Dalhousie campus.

Information regarding registration can be found on the IWB web site and any questions can be sent to iwb@dal.ca.

Upcoming CLA Workshops and Seminars in Halifax

RDA 101

Resource Description and Access (RDA), the new cataloguing standard and successor to AACR2, released in June 2010, signals a new direction for cataloguing rules and catalogue records. Bibliographic Records and Functional Requirements for Authority Data).

The overview session will demonstrate how this alignment shapes RDA’s goals and structure, and it will focus on the aspects of RDA that distinguish it from its predecessor, AACR2. The session will also address preparation for implementation.

Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
More information: http://tinyurl.com/cla-2010-10-20

Getting Ready for RDA

Resource Description and Access (RDA) is the new cataloguing standard that replaces AACR2. RDA focuses on users and their information needs. Metadata created according to RDA instructions support improved resource discovery in the web environment.

This full-day workshop will give an overview of the new standard and will look at the ways in which RDA maintains the relevancy of cataloguing in the networked web environment. This session will also focus on the transition from AACR2 to RDA and will include a demonstration of the RDA Toolkit.

Previous knowledge of RDA is not required.

Presented in partnership with Dalhousie University, School of Information Management

Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
More information: http://tinyurl.com/cla-2010-10-21

Strategy and Persuasion: Four Practical Tools for Info Pros

Information professionals use a range of technical tools in their daily activities within information organizations. What tools, though, do we use to align the direction of our units with those of our parent organizations, and how do we communicate appropriately and strategically with stakeholders?

The workshop covers the components of four practical yet critical tools and invites participants to discuss: Strategic Planning; Information Audits; Business Cases; and Communication Plans.

Presented in partnership with Dalhousie University, School of Information Management

Date: Monday, November 15, 2010, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
More information: http://tinyurl.com/cla-2010-11-15

For more information about these events, contact caslis.govlib@gmail.com