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Digital futures: working together for our readers. June/July 2015 INCITE, p. 25

Digital futures: working together for our readers

The theme for this issue of INCITE was reducing burnout as we cope with digital publishing. One of my responses was that cooperation is good for all of us, including our readers. Another was that the field is constantly changing, so making decisions based on the ebooks and readers of today is not enough. Indexes are one example of ebook features that will be changing.

Published in INCITE (June-July 2015, p25) – the magazine of the Australian Library and Information Association. It presents perspectives on issues relating to library and information science. read more

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E-learning: education on the web

By Glenda: First published in Online Currents – Vol.16 Issue 7, September 2001

Overview

E-learning (electronic learning) opportunities are developing quickly. From the click-through tutorials of computer-based training, online learning has evolved into a complex mix of learning experiences using resources on the Web, communication via e-mail and online chat, and collaborative work.

Some software packages have been developed to support the whole e-learning process, while others focus on specific aspects of e-learning, such as the provision of online examinations or the display of slides online. Organisations wishing to implement e-learning can develop courses alone or in conjunction with instructional design experts from specialist e-learning companies. Few sections of the education community have been untouched by these developments, with e-learning solutions being implemented in schools, TAFE colleges, universities, community education institutions, and the business world. read more

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Faceted Classification

By Glenda: First published in Online Currents – Vol.18 Issue 9, November 2003

Most library students will have studied Ranganathan and faceted classification, but unless they live in India, they are unlikely to have read his works in detail or used his Colon Classification scheme. Nonetheless, his groundbreaking work has been influential in traditional library classification schemes. Facets are fundamental to the Bliss Bibliographic Classification, and are important in the Dewey Decimal Classification. read more

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Favourite books

My favourite books

I recently caught half of the movie version of From the mixed up files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler on TV, and was reminded how I loved this book as a teenager. It was suggested to my mother by a librarian at Mosman Library when I was home sick and it struck a chord.

I decided to gather a list of the books that have been extra special to me. One category is books by family members as we have quite a few writers of all sorts (fiction and non-fiction) in both branches of my family.

This is a work in progress. read more

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Free e-periodicals on information management

By Glenda: First published in Online Currents – Vol.18 Issue 5, October 2003

Living in the Blue Mountains, and working from home, I rely heavily on the Web for specific information and as a way of keeping up-to-date with the fields that interest me – indexing, library and information science, and information technology in general. I am impressed by the number of sites that offer free quality publications, with contributions ranging from short news snippets to fully-fledged journal articles. Online sources usually have less delay between writing and publication than print sources, so are particularly useful for keeping up with the latest developments. read more

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Freelance Indexing

Presented at the August Indexer conference, Hobart, 1999

This paper is a practical approach to starting and developing an indexing career.

There is no direct career path into indexing, and most of us discover it through a chance stroke of luck. Indexing is very often done freelance, and getting started is hard as clients are often reluctant to employ someone with no track record of successful work.

Once the work starts coming, you have to develop skills in satisfying clients, which depends largely on listening to their requirements, and making sure you fulfil them. Promoting your indexing service then ensures that you have an adequate supply of work, and, eventually, that you are able to chose the work you prefer at the rates you deserve. read more

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Genealogy Resources on the Web

By Glenda: First published in Online Currents – Vol.19 Issue 5 & 7, June & September 2004

1. General Resources

The more technological our society becomes, the more people seem to be interested in linking with the past.  One of the most personal ways to do this is by researching one’s own family.  There are vast family history resources available in print, microfiche and CD-ROM formats, with a smaller but rapidly growing number on the Internet.  These provide from-home access to international tools for genealogical researchers. read more