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The Annual Innovative Users Group
Conference was held from 17-20 May 2009 in Anaheim, CA.
I have been privileged to represent the University of
Pretoria, Department of Library Services to attend this
Conference that was attended by over 1000 delegates from
14 countries. We were 4 delegates from South Africa
(UP, UNISA, SEALS, WITS).
The Library Management System (Innopac/Millennium)
is a sophisticated Integrated Library System and
provides the infrastructure for most of our library
administrative and professional activities like the
recording of our holdings, managing our orders and
budget, serving as a repository for e-course reserves,
e-exam papers and some e-resources, providing control
over loan activities and management information. The
System Web Interface (WebOPAC) provides client online
access to all our library information resources for
study, research and tuition needs.
Attending the IUG was a wonderful
training and networking opportunity and provided a
gateway to share experiences and problems as well as to
discuss the application of new functionalities that come
with the annual enhancements and upgrades of the
system.
About 120 unique papers (there
were repeats of some papers) were delivered in 13
parallel sessions and it was quite difficult to select
which sessions to attend. I have also attended a pre
conference workshop on how to make the most of
electronic resources. Most of the conference papers are
available online for perusal. The keynote speaker of
the conference Dr. Michael B. Johnson from Pixar
Animation Studios gave an interesting talk on what’s
happening behind the scenes at Pixar. For him quality
is the best business plan.
Innovative Interfaces offered quick
sessions called “Library Service Live Theatre”
during tea- and lunch breaks. These sessions were quite
valuable in providing informational overviews and tips
on existing and new functionalities. The Innovative
Information Centre manned by Innovative Staff was
another valuable source of information and it gave me
the opportunity to discuss issues face to face with an
III functional expert. In between all these activities
I also made an effort to visit the poster sessions and
exhibitors. One important piece of information I picked
up was that RFID book tags only have a lifespan of 10
years.
Many of the papers focused on products we
don’t have like Electronic Resource Management
(Management of e-resource subscriptions), Research Pro
(Federated Search Product providing a one-stop search
across library resources), WebBridge (Link Resolver),
Content Pro (Repository), Encore (Discovery and Delivery
Platform) and AirPAC (for wireless Online Catalogue
access via hand-held devices).
I realise that if we want to provide in
the increasing demands of our clients and to be
competitive in our information offering we urgently need
to consider investing in the latest III products and
therefore strive to provide a one-stop search across the
library’s valuable information resources.
Exposure to this Conference is of great
value as this is an important source of Millennium
System Training. I have brought back ideas on how to
utilise our current system and modules more optimally
and to apply system enhancements to the benefits of our
staff and clients and I wish to thank the Library
Management for allowing me to attend this conference. I
believe that I will be able to build on new knowledge
gained and share this with my colleagues.
More information on the Conference is available on
Innovative’s Blog at
http://brewing.iii.com/2009/05/27/notes-from-the-iug-2009-conference/#1
Conference Centre, Anaheim
SA
Attendees with III Staff
at the
Reception
for
Library Service Live Theatre
International Attendees
Visit to Brown University and meeting
with the HELIN Consortium
Mrs Maretha Allwright (Manager SEALS
Consortium) and I took the opportunity to visit two
Libraries in Providence, Rhode Island where we were
received very well.
At Brown University we had discussions
about their E-Books Project as well as the use of
JavaScript for in-house customization of their OPAC.
They also demonstrated their Electronic Book Plate
Project in recognition for donations. More information
on the electronic book plates is available at
http://dl.lib.brown.edu/its/software/bookplates/.
We met with Bob Aspri, Executive Director
of HELIN and Martha Sanders, Knowledge Management
Librarian HELIN, at the Johnson and Wales University (JWU)
Library and had fruitful discussions on Electronic
Resource Management. Rosie Hopper, the Dean of
Libraries warmly welcomed us. Very enthusiastic JWU also
staff gave us demonstrations on their LibGuides, Meebo
and Second Life Projects.
Brown University Library,
In discussion with the web
Lunch box treats by the
In meeting with Bob Aspri
Providence, Rhode Island
services staff at Brown University
JWU School of Culinary Art
Rosie Hopper & Martha Sanders
Contributed
by Anette Lessing
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