LSynCNZ

As I mentioned Before Computerworld are reporting on the development of LSynCNZ, the proposed shared catalogue system. I am quite excited about this, and hope it moves forward.
Shared services system pitched to NZ public libraries
The National Library and the Association of Public Library Managers intend to commission a shared-service library management system, to be offered for licence to public libraries.
As a first step, the National Library has advertised for a manager for the project, known as LSynCNZ.
Some centralisation of resources and databases will be involved, but National Library deputy chief executive Sue Sutherland hesitates to describe the environment as a private cloud.
The project is only at a preliminary stage now, she says, and until there are responses to a request for proposal (to be issued towards the end of June) “we won’t know how it might be implemented”.
To date, libraries have used a large number of different software products for management. The libraries of the Greater Auckland region have a shared system, called elGAR. This runs on Millennium software, from US-based Innovative Interfaces.
While the National Library points to this as an example of the success of shared services, elGAR is not set up to admit libraries in other parts of the country, Sutherland says. In any case, Auckland library systems are likely to change again with the advent of the “supercity” administration. Nor, she suggests, is there anything to be gained by all libraries standardising on Millennium; there are other systems with their own merits.
As well as library management software, the RFP will seek a “discovery layer” of software that will enable information held by libraries to be searched. This will be “a step on” from the familiar search of the catalogue of holdings, Sutherland says, and will enable search access to other information about the libraries.
It will be up to each library how much of this data they make available to the public and whether they allow just their own information to be searched, or give access to information about other libraries using the shared service, she says.The LSynCNZ backers will also be looking for hosting services.
Individual libraries will licence use of the system from a business unit of the National Library, but will be able to invest it with their own look-and-feel.
There is a critical point at which enough libraries volunteer to make the chosen system economic, but Sutherland declines to give an estimate of this in advance. It will be a measure of volume of business rather than a definite number of participating libraries, she says.

Shared services system pitched to NZ public libraries

The National Library and the Association of Public Library Managers intend to commission a shared-service library management system, to be offered for licence to public libraries.As a first step, the National Library has advertised for a manager for the project, known as LSynCNZ.Some centralisation of resources and databases will be involved, but National Library deputy chief executive Sue Sutherland hesitates to describe the environment as a private cloud. The project is only at a preliminary stage now, she says, and until there are responses to a request for proposal (to be issued towards the end of June) “we won’t know how it might be implemented”.To date, libraries have used a large number of different software products for management. The libraries of the Greater Auckland region have a shared system, called elGAR. This runs on Millennium software, from US-based Innovative Interfaces. While the National Library points to this as an example of the success of shared services, elGAR is not set up to admit libraries in other parts of the country, Sutherland says. In any case, Auckland library systems are likely to change again with the advent of the “supercity” administration. Nor, she suggests, is there anything to be gained by all libraries standardising on Millennium; there are other systems with their own merits.As well as library management software, the RFP will seek a “discovery layer” of software that will enable information held by libraries to be searched. This will be “a step on” from the familiar search of the catalogue of holdings, Sutherland says, and will enable search access to other information about the libraries.It will be up to each library how much of this data they make available to the public and whether they allow just their own information to be searched, or give access to information about other libraries using the shared service, she says.The LSynCNZ backers will also be looking for hosting services.Individual libraries will licence use of the system from a business unit of the National Library, but will be able to invest it with their own look-and-feel.There is a critical point at which enough libraries volunteer to make the chosen system economic, but Sutherland declines to give an estimate of this in advance. It will be a measure of volume of business rather than a definite number of participating libraries, she says.

Congratulations To Allison Dobbie!

Congratulations To Allison Dobbie!
LIANZA Council would like to congratulate Allison Dobbie on her recent appointment as Manager Libraries and Information in the Auckland Supercity restructure. We are aware that this role was advertised internationally as well as nationally and is a significant library position. Allison beat the best of the best from around the world to land one of the biggest library jobs in the country! We wish Allison all the best in her new role!

Minister welcomes legislative protection for Archives and National Library roles

This is good but will they have as much authority as before, how has reporting lines changed

Nathan Guy
1 June, 2010
Minister welcomes legislative protection for Archives and National Library roles
The Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand and the National Library, Nathan Guy, has welcomed moves to protect the statutory roles of the Chief Archivist and the National Librarian
"The State Sector Management Bill will be introduced within the next couple of months, and deals with the integration of Archives New Zealand, the National Library and the Department of Internal Affairs.
"Importantly, the independence and integrity of the Chief Archivist will be preserved. This position will be responsible to the chief executive of the new department and will be protected from any improper influence in performing his or her duties. This is important to maintain the principle of an independent check on government recordkeeping.
"The status and statutory role of the National Librarian will also be preserved. The Chief Librarian of the Alexander Turnbull Library will in future be appointed by the chief executive of the new department, on the recommendation of the National Librarian. The status of the Alexander Turnbull Library will be unchanged.
"Overall the legislative changes are largely technical and minimal. Separate Budget votes and Ministerial roles will continue, and the public will be able to have their voices heard through the select committee process.
"I believe these provisions will satisfy most of the issues raised by stakeholders over the last few months.
"The integration will combine expertise and resources while sharing back office costs and functions. All savings generated by this project will be redirected into frontline services for the public.
"Archives New Zealand and the National Library are important cultural institutions that will continue to be trusted and preserved for future generations."

New funding for Government Digital Archive

This looks promising...

Nathan Guy
1 June, 2010
New funding for Government Digital Archive
The Government has provided $12.6 million in new Budget funding over the next four years to develop a Government Digital Archive, the Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand and the National Library Nathan Guy says.
"This significant cash injection will provide a secure system to store, preserve and give access to important public records.
"This funding shows how seriously the Government values the work of Archives New Zealand and the National Library. This endorses the digitisation work already underway by both departments.
"The investment is crucial to preserve valuable government information and make it widely available to the public online. We need to keep up with technology and promote open and transparent government.
"Without this initiative, we run the risk of information becoming obsolete and unusable, and Archives New Zealand would struggle to meet its important statutory commitments.
"The new Digital Archive will be created by extending the National Library's National Digital Heritage Archive system so that it can be used by Archives New Zealand and other agencies.
"This is a major investment to ensure that government records are available now and in the future.
"The budget allocated includes $9.7 million for Archives New Zealand and $2.9 million for the National Library over four years," Mr Guy says.

South Taranaki council voted against putting charges on their books.

I was pleased to see and so will Lynne Walker that South Taranaki District Council voted against putting charges on their books. Apparently there was 300 submissions on the proposals. I was worried as very little press had come out of South Taranaki, unlike Tauranga. Well done Lynne
For those who missed it, here is the TV3 report from last night on the decision of the South Taranaki Council.

Rosalie Blake - QSM

Queens Service's medal - Rosalie Helen Blake, Levin, for services to the library profession. Congratulations Rosalie Well deserved :-)
Believing in a tiny project that started at the Levin Library and ended up in libraries in India, France, and further, has earned retired librarian Rosalie Blake a Queen's Service Medal.
She has been a leader in libraries in the Horowhenua district for almost 30 years, but it was for her foresight with the software that libraries run on that she has been recognised. Ms Blake assisted with the development of KOHA, a system using open source software which was picked up by more than 1000 libraries and institutions.
She has been a strong supporter of library trusts, and a representative on district council committees.

LIANZA COUNCIL Elections Results

LIANZA COUNCIL ELECTIONS FOR 2010/11

As you are aware, we had two nominees for the position of President Elect. Voting closed on Friday 4th June.

172 votes were received for Jane Hill and 50 for Michael Parry

Congratulations to Jane and thanks to Michael for standing.

Welcome to this year’s incoming Councillors Jane Hill , Helen Brownlie and Philip van Zijl and Te Paea Paringātai representing Te Roopu Whakahau

The 2010/11 Council will be:


President: Carolyn Roberston
President Elect: Jane Hill
Immediate Past President: Barbara Garriock
Te Roopu Whakahau Tumuaki Anahera Morehu
Te Roopu Whakahau Representative Te Paea Paringātai
Treasurer Steve Graves (Kendons)
Executive Director Alli Smith
Aoraki Councillor Nicki Moen
Hikuwai Councillor Kim Taunga
Ikaroa Councillor Heather Lamond (2nd Term)
Otago/Southland Councillor Helen Brownlie
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Councillor Philip van Zijl
Te Upoko o te ika a Maui Councillor Laurinda Thomas


We acknowledge and thank outgoing councillors for their contribution to the profession through their involvement with LIANZA council.

Outgoing Immediate Past President Glen Walker
Outgoing TRW Tumuaki Haki Tahana
Outgoing Otago/Southland Councillor Lynda Hodge
Outgoing Waikato/Bay of Plenty Councillor Joan Gibbons

We encourage members to participate through the regional networks. Your regional councillor is there to provide information from Council and to bring your ideas and concerns to Council for discussion.

President Elect Michael Parry - Results

Well done for standing Michael, Comisseration on missing out on President Elect. We appreciate you here in the Ikaroa Region. All the best.
Sorry to hear that you are stepping down as Chair of Ikaroa. You have done a great job for Ikaroa SIG we appreciate the time and hard work you have put in.

Will Google Editions change or save publishing?
Google Editions is on its way, a cloud bookstore in direct competition with Amazon and Apple. So far, there is no explicit model for libraries to use, but Google insiders say that it might be in the works. Library Journal does a nice job of covering the story. I can’t wait. More competition, especially in a freemium model, is just what publishing needs to give it a shot in the arm and cut out the middle man. Check the full story out click on the Library Journal Library Journal

Tauranga Library Proposed book Charges Withdrawn

In case you missed it, Tauranga City Council rejected the proposed Library charges. This is great news, although the proposed staff savings are a worry. Just how are they going to achieve those? I suspect we all now how
Now we wait to see what happens on South Taranaki. News on their changes should come out next week.
Tauranga City Council today rejected the proposal to charge for all library books for adults as a way to reduce the rates income required to run the service. They instead voted unanimously to stick with the status quo and continue to only charge for the usual ‘Top Title’ books they currently charge for.

Kobo new E-reader hits NZ

I tried out a kobo on Friday I borrowed from a friend:
* Reasonably intensive use over three days and no sign of needing recharging * While I'm not great at reading in the car, the kobo is at least as good for me as a print book for reading in the car and significantly better than a laptop or cellphone. Was easier on the eyes than any PC Laptop or PDA
* The 100 free eBooks contained at least 30% that I can see myself actually reading (Jane Austen, J. M. Barrie, Bronte, Lewis Carroll, Agatha Christie, ... and we're still in the C's). All of them are from http://www.gutenberg.org/
** The choice of font size renders any eBook a large-print eBook. I can see this killing off the speciality large-print ranges and collections fairly quickly.
* The device is fabulously lightweight. Lighter than a paperback and a refreshing change from the cellphones and laptops which seem very dense.
* The device is very comfortable to hold. Unlike a paperback, you don't even have to hold it open. The back is quilted non-slip rubber.
* Page turning is slow, very slow, but i didn't notice this except when I'm trying to move rapidly through the text---there is no way to flick through the text.
* I was unable to find any free ebooks suitable for reading along with my five year niece.
* This is no annotation / scribbling functionality and only a single bookmark per work, which is page you visited last. I can see this being frustrating for people who like to flick forward to the end and then back again. For more info read on...

RedGroup Retail, the Australian owner of Whitcoulls and the local iteration of Borders, has today launched New Zealand's first e-book tablet and its major e-book download store.
Most of the two million e-books on offer cost $12 to $19 (although early browsers have railed at some new release titles being priced in the mid $20s or $30s - close to or in some cases more expensive than paperbacks). A Kobo e-book reader to view them on costs $295 - although, notably, you don't have to own a Kobo tablet to buy titles from the Kobo download store.
The Kobo tablet goes onsale at midday today. The download service is due to go live at the same time.
Both the tablet and its -e-book service are rebadged versions of “Kobo” - a black-and-white, low-cost system originally developed for Canadian retail chain Indigo, and later adopted by Borders in the US.
RedGroup co-owns Kobo with other booksellers in countries where launches have already taken place.
In Australia, where Kobo was launched last week, the tablet is selling for $A199 ($NZ237) - cheap as chips, or at least compared to the full-colour, touchscreen iPad, which is expected to sell for between $750 and $1250 locally.
Readers must control the means of downloading100 free e-books are included in the $295 price of a Kobo - all being classics or copyright-expired titles or both. These include Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, Bram Stoker's Dracula, lots of Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle and, curiously, The Communist Manifesto by one Karl Marx.
Download service supports Mac, PC, iPhoneThe associated e-book download service (accessible through whitcoulls.co.nz) will offer 2 million titles for the Kobo - but, crucially, Whitcoulls also lets you download free e-book reader software for Mac or PC, and there's also a Kobo iPhone app.
Support for Apple's iPad is promised upon its July NZ release. The free Kobo e-reader software will also support BlackBerry and Google Android phones.
Providing multi-device support is a smart play by Whitcoulls, maximising the potential customer base for its new e-book download service.
But, naturally, Redgroup MD Dave Fenlon also pushed the merits of the dedicated Kobo reader at the company's launch in Auckland today - especially its eye-friendly eInk, and five adjustable font sizes.
Mr Fenlon quoted from a Wired review that reckoned Kobo, rather than iPad was the real "Kindle Killer" - a reference to the proprietary Amazon tablet that has so far sold around 4 million units.
Your book collection in the cloudIn another neat twist, customers can store there collection of e-books in the cloud (on the internet), making them accessible from anywhere they can grab compatible hardware. (The device also has 1GB of bulit-in memory, or enough to store around 1000 books.)
Random House NZ MD Karen Ferns said the Kobo download would make it easier for New Zealand publishes to sell titles to offshore customers.
Author Deborah Challinor said she hoped that e-books - being cheaper - will encourage more people to buy books rather than check them out of a library, and that the new format would also see older books coming back to "print".
First inRedGroup has handily beaten Apple to the New Zealand e-book market.
Apple's iPad is not due in these parts until July. Amazon, whose Kindle is now available in many countries, including Australia, still has no local plans.
A Kobo reader looks very similar to an Amazon.com Kindle (check one out, plus tech specs, on Borders.com here), sharing the same style of black-and-white, anti-glare display.
But the Kobo economic model is very different with publishers - rather than Amazon or Apple - more in the driving seat, according to US reports.
However, at today's NZ launch, Redgroup's Mr Fenlon refused to say whether his retail chain was mandating pricing to publishers (a sore point with Amazon's Kindle in the US), or providing them with recommended price bands.
Open file formatsFile formats are also a lot less locked down, with Kobo supporting the open ePUB standard, plus PDF and Adobe DRM.
In the same spirit of openness, you can also copy your own PDF content onto a Kobo.
There are two connectivity options - using Bluetooth to sync with a cellphone or laptop, or syncing with a PC or Mac via USB cable.
The Kobo has a 6-inch (diagonal) display; is just under 19cm tall, 12cm wide and just a shade over 1cm thick, and weighs 227 grams. That is, it's a little shorter than the 24cm tall iPad, but its other dimensions are similar.
Giving it as whirlHands-on, the Kobo is smaller than you might think from photos, but also feels lighter than I had imagined.
The eInk screen is as easy on the eyes as promised, and was quite readable in the slightly murky light of Auckland's Northern Club (for dimmer situation's there's a "night mode" of white text on a dark background).

Kimbolton Library - LIANZA Centenary Event

Kimbolton Library
It was a chilly night in the small village of Kimbolton, but warm inside this historic library (especially with lots of bodies in a small space!)
For the rest of the evenings events click below to read on...
http://ikaroalianza.blogspot.com/2010/05/kimbolton-library.html

Paul Reynolds Has Passed Away

Paul Reynolds Well-known internet developer and media commentator on web-related affairs Paul Reynolds passed away suddenly yesterday, from leukaemia.
I was fortunate to meet him at the NDF which I attended in 2008.
It is a sad day for NZ, Libaraies, NDF, National Library and the digital world.
A huge loss for many, he has contribued so much.
Through his consulting firm, McGovern Online, as a commentator on technology for Radio New Zealand, and as an adjunct director of the National Library of New Zealand, focusing on its Digital Library, and in many other roles, Reynolds was a well-known and well-respected authority on matters digital and online. McGovern Online, the development company he launched with his partner, Helen Smith, built the first proper website for Auckland City Library. Sites for the Waitangi Tribunal, Katherine Mansfield House, the Chartwell Collection,the Colin McCahon House and six years' worth of websites for the Auckland Readers and Writers Festival make up only part of the portfolio. He has been active supporter of the NDF and provides support and energy for the forum. He has be a great advocate for the National Library and the NDH.
He served on the New Zealand Government Digital Strategy Advisory Group, the Capability Panel for the Advanced Network (KAREN), the New Zealand Library and Information Advisory Commission (LIAC), worked with LIANZA and supporter of Libraries. He was also on the board of the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
In March, he completed his term as the adjunct director of the National Digital Library, farewelling the job with a valedictory lecture entitled Living and Learning in the Cloud.

President Elect Michael Parry

Michael Parry our Ikaroa Chairman is one of the contenders for President Elect.

Michael Parry: Who am I? For those of you I haven’t met, I am currently the Technical Services Librarian for Tararua District Libraries. I also have the privilege of being the chair of the Ikaroa committee. My experiences in libraries have encompassed public libraries and academic, front desk and back room. I am passionate about libraries as centres of communities and about social media being a revolutionary tool to connect those communities.
I wish to contribute to the excellent work the council is doing in bringing council business to the members, and making LIANZA membership desirable.
http://diligentroom.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/electing-the-lianza-president-elect-politicking-and-campaigning/

NZ Post Children's Book Award 2010

The winners of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2010 have been announced.
Picture Book Category
Old Hu-Hu / Kyle Mewburn & Rachel Driscoll. Scholastic New Zealand. [Te Reo edition Huhu Koroheke]
Non-Fiction Category
E3 Call Home / Janet Hunt. Random House New Zealand.
Junior Fiction Category
The Loblolly Boy / James Norcliffe. Longacre Press.
Young Adult Fiction Category
Blood of the Lamb: The Crossing / Mandy Hager. Random House New Zealand.
Children’s Choice Awards
Children’s Choice Award Winner
The Wonky Donkey / Craig Smith & Katz Cowley. Scholastic New Zealand
Children’s Choice Non-fiction Category Winner
Dear Alison / Simon Pollard (editor. Penguin NZ
Children’s Choice Junior Fiction Category Winner
Friends: Snake and Lizard / Joy Cowley & Gavin Bishop. Gecko Press
Children’s Choice Young Adult Fiction Category Winner
Brainjack / Brian Falkner. Walker Books
Children’s Choice Picture Book Category Winner
The Wonky Donkey / Craig Smith & Katz Cowley/ Scholastic New Zealand
Honour Award Recipient
The Word Witch / Margaret Mahy & David Elliot, edited by Tessa Duder. HarperCollins Publishers
Best First Book Award Winner
The Bone Tiki / David Hair. HarperCollins Publishers

IKAROA COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Congratulations to Heather Lamond who has just be re-elected as our Ikaroa Councillor. Heather has done a tremendous job over the last twelve months especially in the continuing professional development area.

We have been fortunate enough to have Heather help us with in areas of Professional Registration, as well as keeping us informated on changes at LIANZA etc.

Heather at LIANZA Conference was rewarded with LIANZA Associateship. Heather is customer driven, an effiective communicator, able to demonstrate strong leadership She is strongly committed to LIANZA being active on both the local committee and on National Council This is was well deserved award, and we are greatly honoured to have you as our Ikaroa Councillor for a second term.

NEW LIANZA Website

was very happy to see LIANZA Launch the new website. The old site had been clunky and not very “now”. Like many other librarians who are interested in the Internet and its applications while also being involved in the professional body I have been a little bit frustrated with our Internet presence. So this is a great step forward. Well done LIANZA! Much better to navigate and more user friendly fro SIGS.

Closing the Book on Libraries

The current climate in local government, and the fate of libraries
by Gordon Campbell.
In Kaitaia and Kaikohe, residents must pay $15 in a “membership fee” to be able to use their public library. In Matamata, borrowers have to pay $1 a week to rent ordinary non-bestseller books. In Dannevirke and Pahiatua, library users over 18 have to pay $10 a year as a ‘borrowing card fee’ to rent books. In the Wairarapa, Tasman, Buller Westland/Hokitika. Selwyn and Gore regions, various charges apply for ordinary stock on the shelves. In Tauranga, the local council is reportedly aiming to recoup up to $430,000 via library charges over the next three years, by introducing a user-pays regime for free adult fiction and non-fiction – initially at the rate of 50 cents a book, rising to 80 cents and then one dollar in a year’s time. It also proposes to cut seven equivalent full time library staff positions and reduce library stocks by 30,000 items.
This crackdown on libraries is becoming a familiar theme, around the country. Membership fees, rental charges, access fees, overdue fines and other cost barriers are going up. Simultaneously, the funds for new stock, for library staff numbers and opening hours, and for digital access are being squeezed – except on items or services where there is a robust regime of cost recovery. What the plight of libraries signals is the erosion of free access to even the basic forms of knowledge that they hold. Ironically, libraries are coming under siege in the wake of the economic recession – just as citizens are using them more and more for knowledge access, for entertainment and as a community meeting ground.
The crisis in library funding does not seem to be a reflection of an absolute scarcity in the ratepayer funds ...
http://werewolf.co.nz/2010/05/closing-the-books-on-libraries/comment-page-1/#comment-2029 to read the full story.

LIANZA Council Elections

2010 LIANZA Council Elections
LIANZA Secretary, Alli Smith, is calling for nominations for the LIANZA Council for the 2010/11 year.
Nominations are being sought for the roles of President Elect, Ikaroa Councillor, Otago/Southland Councillor and Waikato/Bay of Plenty Councillor.
All nominations for the 2010/11 Council elections will close at 5pm on Thursday 20th May 2010.
Who can Nominate and Stand?
Any Personal Member of the Association or the Authorised representative of an Institutional Member may nominate any other Personal Member for election to a position as Officer on the National Council.
Any Personal Member of the Association or the Authorised representative of an Institutional Member in a particular Region may nominate any other Personal Member in that Region as Councillor for that Region on the National Council.
Who can vote?
The Officers of the LIANZA National Council are elected by Personal and Institutional Members of the Association.
Regional Councillors of the LIANZA National Council are elected by LIANZA Personal and Institutional Members within that Region.
Voting Papers
If an election for any position is held, voting papers will be sent to members for a poll.
More Information
For more information about the process and the rules for nominations go to the Code of Practice or the following sections of the Rules on the LIANZA website:
Officers of the Association
National Council of the Association
Powers of the National Council
For further information about Council elections please contact Alli Smith, Secretary, LIANZA (Ph: 04 473 -5834) alli@lianza.org.nz
Associated files
LIANZA Council Nomination Form 2010.doc (70 Kb)
Position Description - Regional Councillor.pdf (78 Kb)