Computers in Libraries 2000 The Technology Conference for Information Age Librarians

PreConference Tuesday, March 14th


WORKSHOP 1 (full day)
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Corporate & Enterprise Information Portals
Howard McQueen & Jean DeMatteo, McQueen Consulting
This full day workshop sets the framework for understanding information portals. Most organizations have out-of-control intranets devoted to publishing. Portals are destined to provide the content management features necessary to tame out-of-control intranets and rescue users from info glut. This workshop looks at the components of portals: Integration of heterogeneous information sources, categorization scheme and engine, search engine support for structured and unstructured data, end-user publishing and metadata management, content personalization, collaboration and knowledge-sharing functions, user-defined display and alerting functions, and developments in surrogate technologies that “suggest” through learning. Key portal vendors and their products will be identified. Cost estimates to implement a portal will be provided, along with realistic costs for on-going maintenance. We’ll also look at several organizations that have built their own portals and talk about both the technical and cultural obstacles to portal adoption. We’ll conclude with a look at where portals are headed, i.e. to support customer service, e-commerce and other vertical applications.
 
 
WORKSHOP 2
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
How to Make a Technology Training Program Work
D. Scott Brandt, Technology Training Librarian & Assistant Professor, Purdue University Libraries
Dennis Tucker, Director of Project Hi-Net, Indiana Cooperative Library Services Authority
Stuck with teaching technology? Whether developing individual, one-time training modules or a comprehensive training and instruction program, this workshop is designed to give you the necessary tools to put together a successful plan for technology training. The session will cover approaches for creating a planning structure, ways to assess users and technologies, strategies for developing content, and tips for promoting and implementing a successful plan. The presenters combine their vast areas of expertise, Tucker with technology planning and Brandt with training, to give participants a well-rounded and in-depth discussion on what works. Aimed at librarians who are overwhelmed with technology training and want to get new ideas for planning and managing their work more easily.
 
 
WORKSHOP 3
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The ABC’s of Intranet Development
Kim Guenther, Internet/Clinical Services Coordinator, University of Virginia Health Sciences Library
The hottest trend in Web development is the organizational intranet, but is it a trend worth following, or better yet implementing? How do you know if your organizational environment is right for supporting and benefiting from an intranet? Increase your understanding of basic and advanced intranet development issues, from differences between intranet, Internet, and Extranets, to determining the benefit of an intranet for your organization. Discuss strategies for implementing an intranet and understanding the potential costs, including hidden costs. Participants will explore and discuss the different stages of intranet development including the creation of an intranet “knowledge inventory,” working with content providers, and designing a site that supports both consistency and ease of use. Includes a case study of the UVa Health Sciences Library’s initiative to launch its own Intranet KnowledgeWeb.
 
 
WORKSHOP 4
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Knowledge Management: Cases, Complexities & Competencies
Rebecca Jones, Dysart & Jones Associates
Stephen Abram, Vice President, Product Management, IHS Micromedia Limited
This workshop focuses on the foundations of knowledge management (KM) and describes what involvement in KM can mean for an information professional’s career. It looks at how information professionals can add value by partnering with the “knowledge-hungry” in their organization, and what can happen when those opportunities are missed. After sharing the results of case studies, workshop leaders facilitate an interactive session examining KM projects and ideas. Areas discussed will include: KM technology infrastructure, organizational positioning, complexities and competencies.
 
 
WORKSHOP 5
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Advanced Web Searching
Greg Notess, Reference Librarian, Montana State University-Bozeman Library, Webmaster of Search Engine Showdown (notess.com/search/), & author of Government Information on the Internet
Explore the latest and greatest search capabilities of the largest Web search engines in this workshop presented by an experienced searcher and writer. As the Web grows, search engines mature, their databases change, and effective Internet searching becomes increasingly complex. To enable efficient information retrieval on the Web, this half day workshop covers Web search strategies and compares the major Web search engines in terms of their databases and specifics on advanced search techniques.

It includes what you need to know about Boolean, adjacency, and field searching, limits, sorts, and other special features. The primary focus is on the larger Web search engines — AltaVista, Northern Light, Google, Fast, and Inktomi-based search engines — with lesser coverage of Excite, Lycos, Infoseek, and any new and upcoming search engines. In addition, it looks at the constraints of the search engines: inconsistent results, lack of overlap, and the significant hidden Web that they fail to uncover.
 
 
WORKSHOP 6
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
JavaScript Applications
Ernest Ackermann, Computer Science Professor, Mary Washington College
This half day workshop is designed to give a systematic approach to the use of client-side Java Script to provide services and enhance Web pages. Ackermann explains the purposes and characteristics of the language, the object model and predefined objects and functions, the predefined event handlers, and other features of the language. Numerous examples and some activities are woven throughout the discussion. He presents several applications of JavaScript that are appropriate in an instructional setting. This includes generating quizzes, using cookies, and other applications. He also highlights a survey of JavaScript resources that are available in print and electronic form.
 
 
WORKSHOP 7
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Library Systems & the Web
Pamela Cibbarelli, editor of The Directory of Library Automation Software Systems and Services
How do you select the library automation system that is most appropriate for your library in today’s web age?  This workshop provides a look at existing applications and a discussion of today’s best selling library automation systems. It helps to differentiate among products and vendors and to select the system that is best suited for your library.
 
 
WORKSHOP 8
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Intranet Taxonomies: Thesaurus Design & Control
Marjorie M. K. Hlava, President &
Jay Van Eman, CEO, Access Innovations
Recent developments in the field of search engines and thesaurus management have had a significant impact on the ability to effectively find information on the Internet or on an intranet. Thesaurus management deals with the core concern of content developers and disseminators — how quickly to convey meaning of a record or document so that it can be found precisely and accurately. Ambiguity is the ever-present enemy of clarity. Thesaurus management provides tools and techniques for disambiguation. In addition, techniques for building and managing vocabularies are discussed in this seminar, and the various types of word control will be defined, including rules for distinguishing among different word control formats.
 
 
WORKSHOP 9
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Doing the Digital Dance: Essential Technologies
Richard P. Hulser, Worldwide Market Segment Manager for Digital Library Technologies, IBM Corporation
Barbara Spiegelman, Manager, Technical Information Services, Westinghouse Electric Company
This half day workshop focuses on implementing and managing digital libraries and document management projects without losing your mind! Our experienced and entertaining presenters cover the essential technologies and processes for creating digital libraries and dealing with large amounts of content in many different formats. They include the planning and management involved, as well as specific technologies available now and in the not too distant future for storing, organizing, scanning, production imaging, rights management, advanced searching, and archiving of a variety of media. Workshop leaders provide checklists of do’s and don’ts, case studies, and share “real world” experience from the trenches.
 
 
WORKSHOP 10
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Getting Down To Business: How Super Searchers Find Business Information Online
Mary Ellen Bates, Bates Information Services
This workshop tackles the problems of finding reliable, high-quality information on business and financial topics on the Net. Bates, the author of the recently-published Super Searchers Do Business: the Online Secrets of Top Business Researchers, looks at issues related to conducting research online efficiently and cost-effectively, validating sources, using Web-only information resources, and staying updated on new business and finance information. The workshop provides practical, innovative ways of mining the Net for information; advice on how and when to encourage library clients to conduct their own business research; and tips on when to use the free or nearly free Web sources and when to open up your wallet and use the big-ticket information sources. While the focus of this workshop will be resources found exclusively on the Net, it will also cover unusual or unique resources from the traditional online services. Attendees will leave the workshop with improved business research skills, ideas on new ways to drill for information, and a collection of links to the best business resources on the Web.
 
 
WORKSHOP 11
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Adding Community Elements to Web Sites
Greg Notess, Reference Librarian, Montana State University-Bozeman Library, Webmaster of Search Engine Showdown (notess.com/search/), & author of Government Information on the Internet
The trend on Web sites is towards interactivity, discussion, and community. This half day workshop covers a range of options for adding these elements to your Web site. Ranging from ad-supported free solutions to fee-based programs, all sorts of interactive discussion and community forming elements are available for a Web site. Learn how to use and rename guest book scripts and pages to add a live library feedback section. Bulletin board and discussion forum options can create a discussion space for library users, staff, friends, or any other group. Email lists are available for free or fee and can be run locally or from a remote host. Explore the different options available and some of the issues involved with operating and maintaining community and discussion elements on Web sites.


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