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TAFE LIBRARIES AUSTRALIA |
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Current events in TAFE Libraries across Australia December 2006Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, National Centre for Vocational Education Research TasmaniaLearning Centres Library Services will be incorporated into the new TAFE Tasmania Learning Centres. A new Learning Centres Manager will be responsible for Learning Centres statewide, incorporating the current Library Services, regionally based coaches providing support to teachers in aspects of resource sourcing, development and learning technology, and the provision of multimedia support. A Learning Technology section will also be developed with responsibilities for specific learning technology, such as WebCT, and emerging technologies.It is envisaged that these new arrangements will commence at the start of 2007. Library Management System Library Services is currently investigating moving to a new, stand alone, library management system at the end of 2007. TAFE Tasmania libraries currently participate in the Talis statewide library system, managed by the State Library of Tasmania (Education Department), encompassing public, school and TAFE libraries. PC Reservations The PC reservation software MyPC will be introduced in all TAFE Tasmania libraries at the commencement of 2007. The reservation software includes web based bookings for on an off campus students, block bookings for classes, computer usage reports and client messages. Library Services for Off-Campus Students During 2005 a group of TAFE Tasmania library staff developed a CD containing library information for off campus students, replacing paper based guides. The CD begins with an overview to Library Services and then takes the user to all the options available on the Library Services web page – quick guides to searching our online database, eBooks and the internet. There are also tutorials for study and information literacy skills, using the catalogue and referencing. Wherever possible, information is contained within the CD, so that students are not required to be online. However hyperlinks are also provided.
The CD proved to be very successful during 2006 and has now been fully incorporated in the TAFE Tasmania eLearning@TAFE online courses - Introduction to WebCT for students. Debra Hannan VictoriaVATL TLA Representative from 2007- 2005 Statistics The publication of the 2005 VATL Statistics by CAVAL is being delayed pending a response from two tardy Institutes! We have obtained assurances that these 2 outstanding survey responses will be delivered within the next 2 weeks so a final copy should be available by mid December 2006. A copy will be forwarded to Debra as soon as it becomes available. “Modelling a Learning Commons” project The VATL/MONASH University CCNR (Centre for Community Network Research) Learning Commons project is progressing. We now have a project ‘wiki’ which is being used by project group members and interested others to share information about the ‘project’ and about “Learning Commons”. The wiki is available at : http://victafe.pbwiki.com/ A research assistant is looking into available VATL Statistics to identify trends and issues. This information is not yet available. Planning is underway for a ‘Search Conference’ to be held on April 2nd 2007. We are currently surveying members about collections and commons issues to inform the direction of the search conference. One of the intended outcomes of the project and the conference is to produce a report ( for VATL members and the broader community ) and a checklist for TAFE Libraries on what is required to transform existing library services into a ‘learning commons’ model. The TLA “Focus on Flexible Learning Network” on Edna Online has been promoted to VATL members as a source of additional information. VATL Membership Fee Structure A proposal to change the membership fee structure for 2007 was ratified at the VATL AGM. The proposed new fee structure allows for 3 levels of funding support linked to the size of each institution. ( Small TAFEs – budget under $1,000,000- to pay $250pa, Medium TAFEs – budget over $1,000,000-to pay $300 pa and Dual Sector TAFEs to pay $350 pa. ) The 3 tier structure more fairly reflects the relative budgets of the various libraries. Also, with the loss of Melbourne University as a member during 2006, the change allows us to maintain a level of funds consistent with other years for VATL projects and initiatives. RODSKI Survey for TAFE Currently 7 out of 18 VIC TAFEs use the standard version ( eg: CAUL version with minor modifications) of the RODSKI survey to measure and benchmark customer service, but according to an estimate from Ambit Insights a modified basic version could be run for approximately $2,500 per TAFE or $4000 for the online option if enough other TAFEs were interested? A working group was formed to look at customizing a basic survey for TAFE however a draft has not yet been finalized for circulation and comment from VATL Members. Even at the reduced rate, VATL would need to promote the benefit of RODSKI to Institute Directors for adequate funding to be available to some of the smaller TAFEs. The desire for more TAFE Libraries within Victoria and possibly nationally to use the RODSKI Survey as a customer satisfaction and benchmarking tool remains strong, so this is an issue which will be pursued with more vigour by VATL during 2007.TAFE Development Centre – Project I attended 4 reference group meetings at the Victorian TAFE Development Centre offices this year as a VATL Representative on a project “Professional Standards for TAFE staff other than teachers.” The project looked at identifying Professional Associations and Networks that offer information, advice and development opportunities to build the Professional standing of TAFE ‘specialist staff’. It was encouraging to note that interview results showed VATL was well regarded as a Professional network for Victorian TAFE Library staff. The final report is soon to be published and will be circulated throughout TAFEs soon as a professional development tool. TDC is also interested in opening discussions with VATL to seek our assistance in maintaining the Professional Standards web based resource of TDC. Annette Sullivan Northern TerritoryHere is a very brief report from the NT (December 2006): Staff from both CDU and BIITE Libraries attended the 2Deadly ATSILIRN Conference (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library and Information Resources Network) recently held in Sydney (November 2006). Out of about 80 delegates, there were no other representatives from the Australian VTE sector which may indicate a lack of focus on Indigenous clients which should be addressed across the sector. Ruth Quinn Email:ruth.quinn@cdu.edu.au Queensland• Library ReviewDeloitte were commissioned to undertake a review of TAFE Queensland library services. Information submitted over recent years was re-examined within the new learning environment and business models and requirements developed. The outcome is a recommendation for a Shared Services Model. Currently all institutes are independent and the commissioning of a new Library Information Management System is based on the findings. The project is in the final round of consultation with implementation planned for 2007. • Consortia activity • Learning Resource Management project • SPIGs • Queensland Skills Plan Christine Ruzic South AustraliaTAFE SA Institutes All TAFE SA Library staff belong to the LEARN Network, which has a LEARN Planning Group (LPG) of representatives and elected staff from the 3 Institutes. This year LPG sponsored the following projects: Staff Development Other Staff development Initiatives:
Annette Dornin Senior Librarian New South WalesLibraries Governance The Library Strategy Group, with a representative from each of the 10 TAFE NSW Institutes, has met 4 times this year and associated working groups have been working on projects related to the following areas of statewide concern:
Library Management System The TAFE NSW Libraries Showcase of Excellence 2006 TAFE NSW Libraries participated in the second ICVET Learning Powerhouse Conference in August 2006 with a showcase that was both lively and well patronised. Whilst last year we focused on the librarian as an information coach, this year we highlighted several ideas to show that libraries are “switched on to work”. The library showcase title was “Information skills - a vital part of workplace learning”. This theme provided us an opportunity to promote a key message for teachers that is ‘library staff are ready to work with you and your students to develop the skills and to provide access to the resources to support delivery in the workplace.’ The emphasis of our showcase was on aspects of both library services and library collections that support workplace delivery. The four key items that we demonstrated and discussed at the Showcase were:
There was a lot of interest in what we had to show and tell, and our competition to locate items using the eBooks was a big hit. Feedback from the staff who took the time to participate in the showcase was very favourable. This opportunity was seen as a good promotion exercise and chance to connect with teachers and managers. I hope that more library related showcases will feature at other such events, so that we can continue to showcase our excellence! TAFE NSW libraries are running a statewide conference on Friday 2nd February 2007 in the Ballroom, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre Darling Harbour. The aim of the conference is to provide an opportunity for all library staff to share best practice and develop capabilities required to succeed in the emerging VET learning environment. The program for the day will include an introduction to the broad directions for the VET learning environment towards 2020, where future libraries are headed and how TAFE libraries fit with that vision. There are three key themes, technologies, professional; development & library education and future library services. We have engaged sometop key speakers and anticipate lively discussion around the key themes. Lucy Hill Western Australia2005 Statistics Educational Lending Rights
Many thanks to all our sponsors who supplied a wonderful goodies bag for all participants, morning tea supplied by Informit and ipod Shuffle donated as a door prise by Kinetic IT. Reciprocal Agreements Consortia Deals Help screens updated Jennifer Heathcote
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Last updated 1 December 2006 |
