Out of the Trenches: A Linked Open Data Project

Library and Archives Canada is pleased to announce that the Out of the Trenches: A Linked Open Data Project video, produced by the Pan-Canadian Documentary Heritage Network, is now available on its YouTube channel.

Partners of the Pan-Canadian Documentary Heritage Network (PCDHN) have developed a “proof-of-concept” to showcase a sampling of the network’s wealth of digital resources using “linked open data” and principles of the semantic web. The underlying premise is to expose the metadata for these resources using RDF/XML and existing/published ontologies (element sets) and vocabularies, maximizing discovery by a broad user community.

The partners selected the First World War as the topic for the digital resources to be contributed to the proof-of-concept. The metadata for these digital resources was provided by five partner institutions.

More information can be founded at Canadiana.org, including:

• Project Final Report
• Demo video
• RDF Metadata

 

 

New Resource Published: Conferences and Workshops

A new resource has been added to the CLA Government Library and Information Management Professionals Network blog:

• Conferences and Workshops
  A listing of conferences/workshops of interest to the Canadian library and information management community. Includes: events in Canada; international and national events in the United States; and selected international events outside North America.

To have your conference/workshop added, e-mail cla.govlib@gmail.com

Watch for additional resources to be added in the coming weeks.

 

Queen Victoria’s Journals and other Material goes online

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

24 May 2012

The complete collection of Queen Victoria’s Journals is now available online. Launched on the anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birthday by HM The Queen at Buckingham Palace, the new website is part of a digitisation programme to make historic documents from the Royal Archives widely available for the first time.

The digitisation of 141 volumes of Queen Victoria’s private diaries has been carried out as a partnership between the Royal Archives, Bodleian Libraries at Oxford University and the online publisher, ProQuest. They can be accessed at www.queenvictoriasjournals.org

In addition to the digitisation of Queen Victoria’s Journals, the Royal Archives has undertaken the following projects in Diamond Jubilee year:

• An online partnership project has been undertaken with www.findmypast.co.uk so that the public may trace their ancestors who have worked for the Royal Household. Free access to the records, which range from the seventeenth century to 1920, will also be available in the National Archives’ Reading Rooms in Kew.

• A selection of Queen Victoria’s school copy books will be available for viewing at the National Archives at Kew for the first time.

• “Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Scrapbook”, a website focused on Queen Victoria’s life and reign, including her Diamond Jubilee in 1897, was launched by Buckingham Palace in April 2012. It contains documents from the Royal Archives, paintings and photographs from the Royal Collection, as well as audio and film clips. See www.queen-victorias-scrapbook.org.

• Over the Diamond Jubilee period, the Twitter account @QueenVictoriaRI will tweet selected excerpts from Queen Victoria’s Journals, illustrated by links to photographs, paintings and original documents. This account will run from 24th May until 7th June.

The release of this material is part of a long term programme to digitise and open up important historical material contained in this private archive. It is expected that these documents and materials will be of general public interest, and of particular value to universities, schools, academics and authors both in the UK and the Commonwealth, and to those wanting to trace their family history.

Source: http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2012/QueenVictoriasJournalslaunchedonline24May2012.aspx

Seeking Canadian contributions to the World Digital Library

The World Digital Library is an initiative supported by UNESCO, in cooperation with a number of major libraries from around the world. The mission of the WDL is to “make available on the Internet, free of charge and in multilingual format, significant primary materials from countries and cultures around the world”. Significant primary materials include manuscripts, maps, rare books, recordings, films, prints, photographs, architectural drawings, and other types of primary sources. The site was launched to the public in April 2009. The project is closely aligned with UNESCO’s Memory of the World program, which is focused on archival collections.

To date, very little Canadian material is available through the WDL. There are currently 17 items identified with Canada in the collection, and none of them were submitted by Canadian institutions (most are from the Library of Congress).

Libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions interested in becoming partners should contact the WDL team. The WDL will work with prospective partners to identify important collections for possible inclusion, survey existing projects and capacities, and develop plans for participation.

Library Consultants Code of Ethics

Source: http://connect.ala.org/node/160463

Hello colleagues,

The Library Consultants Interest Group (LCIG – formerly ILEX) has developed a Library Consultants Code of Ethics (shown below and attached.)  There will be an Open Forum to discuss the draft code at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Dallas.

Sunday, January 22, 4-5:30 pm, DCC D224

We invite all library consultants, whether independent or part of a library organization, to join us at the Open Forum to discuss the Code of Ethics.

Nancy Bolt

Library Consultants Code of Ethics

The purpose of this Code is to help library consultants maintain their professionalism and adhere to high ethical standards as they provide services to clients and in their dealings with their colleagues and in their commitment to the public and the library profession. The individual members must use their judgment to apply these principles.

1. I will serve my clients with integrity, competence, independence, objectivity, and professionalism.
2. I will mutually establish with my clients realistic expectations of the benefits and results of my services.
3. I will only accept assignments for which I possess the requisite experience and competence to perform and will only assign staff or engage colleagues with the knowledge and expertise needed to serve my clients effectively.
4. Before accepting any engagement, I will ensure that I have worked with my clients to establish a mutual understanding of the objectives, scope, work plan, timetable, and fee arrangements.
5. I will treat appropriately all confidential client information that is not public knowledge, take reasonable steps to prevent it from access by unauthorized people, and will not take advantage of proprietary or privileged information, either for use by myself, the client’s organization , or another client, without the client’s permission.
6. I will avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of such and will immediately disclose to the client circumstances or interests that I believe may influence my judgment or objectivity.
7. I will offer to withdraw from a consulting assignment when I believe my objectivity or integrity may be impaired.
8. I will agree in advance with a client on the basis for fees and expenses and will charge fees that are reasonable and commensurate with the services delivered and the responsibility accepted.
9. I will not accept commissions, remuneration, or other benefits from a third party in connection with the recommendations to a client without that client’s prior knowledge and consent, and I will disclose in advance any financial interests in goods or services that form part of such recommendations.
10. If within the scope of my engagement, I will report to appropriate authorities within or external to the client organization any occurrences of malfeasance, dangerous behavior, or illegal activities.
11. I will respect the rights of consulting colleagues and consulting firms and will not use their proprietary information or methodologies without permission.
12. I will represent the library profession with integrity and professionalism in my relations with my clients, colleagues, and the general public.
13. I will not advertise my services in a deceptive manner nor misrepresent or denigrate individual consulting practitioners, consulting firms, or the consulting profession.

This Code of Ethics is based on a Code developed by the Institute of Management Consultants.  We thank IMC for their permission to use their Code as the basis of this Code.

 

News Release: Library and Archives Canada digitizes past issues of the Canada Gazette (1841-1997)

Gatineau, Québec, September 26, 2011—Today, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) commemorates the 170th anniversary of the Canada Gazette by making accessible the digitized back issues, from 1841 to 1997, on its website dedicated to this official publication.

“Current issues of the Canada Gazette have been available to Canadians at most libraries and through subscription, and the Canada Gazette Directorate has a searchable database on its website of all issues since 1998,” said Daniel J. Caron, Deputy Head and Librarian and Archivist of Canada. “However, an online database that includes all issues of the Canada Gazette, since 1841 and searchable by keyword, is a major achievement that allows even greater access to this very important resource.”

Digitization of these back issues began in 2008. At that time, LAC’s database contained about 30 percent (or close to 300,000 pages) of the Canada Gazette corpus, including images taken from microfilm, microfiche and rare original copies of the Gazette held at LAC. In August 2010, the staff of LAC and the Canada Gazette inventoried the missing editions and, with the help of the Canada Gazette Directorate, were able to get copies from other libraries across Canada. Today’s announcement of the launch of the entire publication marks the completion of this multi-year initiative.

The initiative was made possible thanks to the contribution of the Department of Canadian Heritage, more specifically its Canadian Culture Online Program. LAC also wishes to acknowledge the collaboration of the Canada Gazette Directorate, which provided funding assistance for the development of the database and supported the creation of the written content for LAC’s website, A Nation’s Chronicle: The Canada Gazette. (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/canada-gazette/index-e.html)

Often referred to as “the official newspaper of the Government of Canada,” the Canada Gazette has been an important instrument in the Canadian democratic process for 170 years. It has informed Canadians of the operations of government and encouraged them to participate in the legislative process.

[Source: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/whats-new/013-541-e.html]

Online Discovery Portal Provides Unprecedented Access to Canada’s Documentary Heritage

Ottawa, November 30, 2010 – Canada’s heritage institutions are collaborating to provide unprecedented access to their digital collections through the Canadiana Discovery Portal.

The Canadiana Discovery Portal is a free service that enables users to search across the valuable and diverse digital collections of Canada’s libraries, museums, and archives. The Portal is the best single source for Canada’s documentary heritage for researchers, students, and the general public. In October 2010, it surpassed the 60 million-page mark, providing access to a wealth of digital material such as books, journals, newspapers, government documents, photographs, maps, post cards, sheet music, audio and video files about our nation’s heritage.

The Canadiana Discovery Portal was developed and is managed by Canadiana.org, an organization founded by the Canadian research library community. “Access to this valuable Canadian content would not have been possible without the leadership demonstrated by Canada’s research libraries”, says Lynn Copeland, President of Canadiana.org. “It is thanks to their determination and the collective vision expressed through Canadiana.org that this project has come to fruition.”

Canadiana.org is continually adding new collections to the Portal. Current contributors include Canada’s largest libraries, archives, and museums. Whether looking for information about family genealogy or investigating a specific topic in the history of Canada, the Canadiana Discovery Portal is an essential tool for research in Canada.

 

For more information, contact:

Kathleen Shearer

Communication Consultant, Canadiana.org

Tel: 613-235-2628

Email: kathleen.shearer@canadiana.ca

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About Canadiana.org

Canadiana.org is a membership alliance that aims to strengthen our collective ability to present Canada’s documentary heritage content online. It acts as a coordinator, facilitator and advocate for digitization initiatives, along with providing access services and preservation infrastructures. The organization was formed in 2008, as a result of a merger between Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions and AlouetteCanada. Canadiana.org has a fresh new look. Visit our new website for improved features and functionality.

UBC launches small business resource for B.C. communities

MEDIA RELEASE | NOVEMBER 23, 2010

Small businesses across British Columbia now have a free, comprehensive resource to boost their business-planning efforts and foster an online community of information and support, thanks to the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia.

The Small Business Accelerator, which launches today at www.sba-bc.ca, is a new gateway to business information for small firms and entrepreneurs throughout the province. It’s also a valuable tool for public and college libraries, community development organizations and other agencies to support their clients.

A highlight of the SBA is its range of research guides that provide tailored information for specific industries. The site features 36 in-depth guides, developed with the expertise of UBC business librarians and library students, which cover sectors ranging from alternative energy to Web development, landscaping to restaurant retailing, and much more.

Visits to B.C. communities by the Learning Centre’s Director and the Community Business Services Librarian provided the Learning Centre with valuable feedback that was used to help shape the SBA during its development. In the new year, the librarian will visit organizations throughout the province to provide site training and outreach.

“We’re honoured to offer this free service for British Columbians who have started, or are looking to start, their own businesses – especially those in rural and remote parts of the province,” says Sandra Singh, director of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. “The site is an invaluable resource, built with the expertise of business librarians, to help entrepreneurs from communities across the province access the right information for effective business planning at any stage of development.”

“Anyone interested in exploring the possibilities of opening a business in B.C. will find a wealth of information on the site, no matter what stage of business planning they are in,” says Petra Mauerhoff, manager of College Library Services at Cranbrook’s College of the Rockies. “Even business students working on hypothetical cases for their course work will get great use out of this offering.”

“I’m really impressed with the SBA so far. What it means to rural would-be entrepreneurs is that they’ll have access to information that everybody takes for granted in large metropolitan areas,” says Larry Jones, a business analyst with Community Futures Terrace, which supports small- and medium-sized companies and community economic development. “This is going to level the playing field quite a bit.”

The site also serves as a venue for an online SBA community, where those who create content for B.C. businesses – such as libraries, economic development agencies and others – are invited to share resources and expertise.

Small business is vital to the economic health of British Columbia. According to a 2010 profile, small businesses accounted for 98 per cent of all businesses in the province in 2009, and employed more than one million people.

New Resource Published: Information Management Learning

A new resource has been added to the CLA-CASLIS Government Section blog:

• Information Management Learning
  List of college and university programs in information management, including: library and information science; library information technology; records management; archival studies; museum studies; and information management

Watch for additional resources to be added in the coming weeks.

Three New Resources from CLA-CASLIS Government Section

Three new resources have been added to the CLA-CASLIS Government Section blog:

• Acronyms
  List of commonly used acronyms in the library and information management community.

• Associations
  List of associations in Canada for professionals in the library and information management community.

• CLA and Social Media
  Directory of CLA units with a presence on social networking sites.

Have we missed any? Let us know by leaving a comment on those pages.

Watch for additional resources to be added in the coming weeks.