Month: April 2011

Maximizing the Impacts of Your Research: A Handbook for Social Scientists

The Social Sciences Project has released Maximizing the Impacts of Your Research: A Handbook for Social Scientists.

Here's an excerpt:

This Handbook remedies this key gap and, we hope, will help researchers achieving a more professional and focused approach to their research from the outset. It provides a large menu of sound and evidence-based advice and guidance on how to ensure that your work achieves its maximum visibility and influence with both academic and external audiences. As with any menu, readers need to pick and choose the elements that are relevant for them. We provide detailed information on what constitutes good practice in expanding the impact of social science research. We also survey a wide range of new developments, new tools and new techniques that can help make sense of a rapidly changing field.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 |

Web Services Librarian at Berry College’s Memorial Library

Berry College's Memorial Library is recruiting a Web Services Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Memorial Library, Berry College (GA) seeks a creative, highly motivated professional who can assume a lead role in developing the library's web-based services and integrating them with other campus information systems in support of the college's liberal arts curricular mission. The librarian in this position works collaboratively with faculty, other library staff, and other campus IT professionals to develop web content and design strategies that effectively serve the research, teaching, and learning needs of the academic community at Berry. Position also includes reference, instructional, and collection development responsibilities.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Aid to Scholarly Journals Grants

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council in Canada has extended the deadline for Aid to Scholarly Journals grants to 6/30/11. Grants are up to $30,000 per year for three years.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

SSHRC recognizes that peer-reviewed scholarly journals are a primary tool for fostering intellectual debate and inquiry. Today, new information and communication technologies are changing the way research results are published and disseminated, allowing information to circulate more rapidly and widely than ever before. In response, and in accordance with SSHRC's position on open access, SSHRC has designed this funding opportunity to allow journals to seek support regardless of business model or distribution format.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography |

Head of Library Systems at the University at Albany Libraries

The University at Albany Libraries are recruiting a Head of Library Systems.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (P11-24063):

The University at Albany Libraries seek a creative, knowledgeable, dynamic leader committed to service to academic library users to provide vision and direction for library IT operations, including the Libraries' ILS (Ex Libris ALEPH 500), design and technical aspects of the Libraries’ Web site, an in-house server farm (possibly transitioning to campus IT hosted) that hosts Web sites and related applications, over 400 PCs / laptops and associated peripherals for public and staff, and computer-equipped classrooms. Coordinates, manages, mentors, and provides leadership for the Library Systems Department, consisting of 5 professionals and student assistants. Integrates systems knowledge and experience into the advancement of the Libraries' goals through existing and new initiatives. Recommends technical standards, policies, and new technological initiatives. Plans hardware/software upgrades for the Libraries. Collaborates with administrators and other library units in planning, supporting, and managing technology-based services, such as Serials Solutions resource linking, EBSCO Discovery Service, Ares reserve management system, and ILLiad resource sharing management system. Participate in planning and management within the Division as a member of the Technical Services Department Heads and Team Leader Group. Reports to the Associate Director, Technical Services and Library Systems Division.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Preservation of Digitized Books and Other Digital Content Held by Cultural Heritage Organizations

Portico has released the Preservation of Digitized Books and Other Digital Content Held by Cultural Heritage Organizations.

Here's an excerpt:

In one response to this need to develop models of digital preservation, the NEH and IMLS awarded a grant to Portico, in partnership with Cornell University Library, through the "Advancing Knowledge: The IMLS/NEH Digital Partnership grant program" to develop a practical model for how preservation can be accomplished for digitized books. Through this initiative and other efforts, Portico had the opportunity to discuss digital collections and their long-term preservation with 27 cultural heritage organizations. In addition, Cornell University Library provided significant samples of content to analyze. Out of this research and the extensive experience in preservation at both Portico and Cornell University Library, we developed a model for the preservation of digitized books and other "document like" digital content at cultural heritage organizations.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Digital Curation and Preservation Bibliography 2010 |

"Google Book Search in the Gridlock Economy"

Douglas Lichtman has self-archived "Google Book Search in the Gridlock Economy" in SSRN.

Here's an excerpt:

Michael Heller's The Gridlock Economy popularizes a concept that Heller has developed over nearly two decades of influential academic writing: the notion that, when it comes to property rights, too many rights-endowed cooks really can spoil the broth. I was asked in this conference to apply Heller's insight to the Google Book Search project, and the request at first seemed natural. Heller himself suggested that Google Book Search might be an apt poster child for the gridlock phenomenon; Google likewise can often be heard to complain, in Heller-esque tones, that the only way to build a comprehensive search engine for books is to take the books without asking. This Essay, however, questions the example and offers a refinement on Heller's theory. Gridlock, I argue, is not simply a catch-all for situations where a large number of permissions are in play. It is more narrowly a reference to situations where a large number of permissions are in play, and those permissions intertwine.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography |

Web and Digital Projects Developer (Analyst, IT) at Duke University Libraries

The Duke University Libraries are recruiting a Web and Digital Projects Developer (Analyst, IT).

Here's an excerpt from the ad (requisition number: 400486614):

Under the direction of the Head of the Digital Experience Services Department, (a) plans and develops web sites and associated digital library services in support of all departments in the Library and (b) designs and implements web sites to support the goals of the Center for Instructional Technology (CIT).

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Current News: Twitter Updates for 4/13/11

  • A NASA Research Framework for Earth Science Data in Digital Object Repository Architecture with Islandora, http://bit.ly/eikYxB
  • Dutch Gov't Speaks Out against Exporting Internet Filters; Then Introduces National Internet Filter, http://bit.ly/g5Wnzm
  • Reader Privacy Bill Passed through California Senate Judiciary Committee, http://bit.ly/gnC8Rr
  • ACRL 2011: A Rallying Cry for Leadership and Risk Taking in the Copyright Wars, http://bit.ly/hQ9fZH
  • Copyright Term Extension—You Can Help Stop It [EU], http://bit.ly/ecgets

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Scientific Data Curation Specialist/Metadata Librarian at Cornell University Libraries

The Cornell University Libraries are recruiting a Scientific Data Curation Specialist/Metadata Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (job no.: 14793):

Cornell University Libraries seeks an analytical, creative individual interested in scientific research data, digital resources, technology, and metadata to become our newest information professional. The Scientific Data Curation Specialist is actively engaged across science fields to support e-science, digital data curation, and cyberscholarship working closely with other library staff. This position has three main emphases: research data consultation, digital resources discovery, and professional and research activities. First, the Scientific Data Curation Specialist focuses on metadata issues related to the data curation lifecycle while providing consultation to Cornell researchers. Second, s/he explores semantic approaches and ontologies while working on initiatives related to the discovery of digital resources. Third, s/he is professionally involved and conducts research aligning with her/his job duties and interests. To be successful, close collaboration is essential in working with faculty and library staff devoted to digital libraries, information technologies, public services, technical services, and data working groups.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Open Source Digital Library Software: Alpha Release of VuDL

Villanova University's Falvey Memorial Library has released the alpha version of VuDL, which is under a GPL open source license.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The simple-to-use Digital Library Administration application is powered by all open source technologies, and provides a METS metadata editor, service image generation tools, XML database repository, and a built-in OAI server.

The core of VuDL's application is powered by Orbeon Forms, a powerful XML/XForms processor. eXist (a native XML database) and the server's file system combine to support the data and image repository.

VuDL's public interface is powered by VuFind (http://vufind.org), an Open Source discovery layer developed and managed by Villanova University. VuFind is currently in use in academic and research libraries in 12 countries, including the National Library of Australia and the London School of Economics.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 |

Programmer/Analyst I at Texas Tech Libraries

The Texas Tech Libraries are recruiting a Programmer/Analyst I .

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

  • Texas Digital Libraries (TDL) is a consortium of Texas libraries of which Texas Tech is a member. Our obligations to TDL include dedicated programmer time, and this position helps TTU to meet its commitment to TDL. The work we do here is vital to the success of TDL and the customization, security, and functionality of the digital repositories of its member institutions.
  • This position will work with the Web Site Support Team (WSST), a Library-wide committee responsible for all TTU Libraries website content. Nearly every library service has an online component.
  • This position will ensure that new projects are added to the website in a timely manner and will perform upgrades and maintenance of existing website systems according to a lifecycle plan.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

CLIR Gets Grant from Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to Study Data Curation Issues

The Council on Library and Information Resources has received a $117,567 grant from Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to study data curation issues. CLIR's Digital Library Federation will administer the grant. Chuck Henry (CLIR), Rachel Frick (DLF), and Elliott Shore (Bryn Mawr College) will be the principal investigators.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

Most graduate programs in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities are not well prepared to cultivate the data management skills of their students, or sometimes even to teach them why such skills are important to the survival of their fields of study. In every discipline, at least some professionals must come to grasp the complex demands related to the creation, access, reuse, and preservation of digital research data, which have been the purview of the library and information technology professions, and of schools of library, information, and computer science.

"Developing and maintaining skills in data curation must become central to the professional identities of specialists in each discipline if our educational institutions are to build robust, efficient, and appropriately integrated online environments for future research, teaching, and learning," said CLIR President Chuck Henry. "We are grateful to the Sloan Foundation for the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the landscape that is developing around digital curation practice and education."

The project will consist of three interrelated activities. The first will be an environmental scan of professional development needs, and of education and training opportunities for digital curation in the academy. The second will be an anthropological study of five sites where digital curation activities are under way. The third will be a report that analyzes the results of the two research efforts and includes a proposal, informed by the findings, for amending the curriculum for CLIR's Postdoctoral Fellowship in Academic Libraries program.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Digital Curation and Preservation Bibliography 2010 |

Current News: Twitter Updates for 4/12/11

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Programmer/Analyst III at Thesaurus Linguae Graecae Project

The Thesaurus Linguae Graecae Project at the University of California, Irvine is recruiting a Programmer/Analyst III. Salary: $57,936-$78,668.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (req no.: 2011-0095):

The Thesaurus Linguae Graecae Project (TLG) at the University of California, Irvine is currently seeking a Programmer/Analyst III to join its team. The TLG Project is Digital Library of Greek Literature containing one of the largest collections of electronic text in the world and covering almost all ancient Greek literary texts from Homer to the Byzantine period. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for developing and maintaining web applications to search and retrieve the lexical and textual materials comprising the TLG digital library.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

NEH Humanities Collections and Reference Resources Grants Available

The National Endowment for the Humanities has announced the availability of Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grants. The maximum award is $350,000 (up to three years). The deadline is July 20, 2011.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

The Humanities Collections and Reference Resources program supports projects that provide an essential foundation for scholarship, education, and public programming in the humanities. Thousands of libraries, archives, museums, and historical organizations across the country maintain important collections of books and manuscripts, photographs, sound recordings and moving images, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, art and material culture, and digital objects. Funding from this program strengthens efforts to extend the life of such materials and make their intellectual content widely accessible, often through the use of digital technology. Awards are also made to create various reference resources that facilitate use of cultural materials, from works that provide basic information quickly to tools that synthesize and codify knowledge of a subject for in-depth investigation.

Applications may be submitted for projects that address one or more of the following activities:

  • arranging and describing archival and manuscript collections;
  • cataloging collections of printed works, photographs, recorded sound, moving images, art, and material culture;
  • providing conservation treatment (including deacidification) for collections, leading to enhanced access;
  • digitizing collections;
  • preserving and improving access to born-digital sources;
  • developing databases, virtual collections, or other electronic resources to codify information on a subject or to provide integrated access to selected humanities materials;
  • creating encyclopedias;
  • preparing linguistic tools, such as historical and etymological dictionaries, corpora, and reference grammars (separate funding is available for endangered language projects in partnership with the National Science Foundation);
  • developing tools for spatial analysis and representation of humanities data, such as atlases and geographic information systems (GIS); and
  • designing digital tools to facilitate use of humanities resources.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 |

Cataloging and Metadata Librarian at Santa Clara University Library

The Santa Clara University Library is recruiting a Cataloging and Metadata Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This librarian will fill the newly redefined position of Cataloging and Metadata Librarian and play a significant role in the creation of new digital collections and the management of digitized and "born digital" content, managed by the Library. . . .

The successful candidate will be responsible for adapting national/international cataloging standards to the local environment; providing training and directing the work of paraprofessional staff and student employees; determining the best means for acquiring bibliographic records and/or metadata from vendors or other libraries/agencies and for monitoring contracted work of this type; working with other librarians to monitor evolving metadata standards for the creation of digital collections and a future institutional repository; and cataloging, supervising the cataloging of, or assisting in organizing for access and use, special materials, such as archives and manuscript collections.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

"JISC CETIS 2011 Informal Horizon Scan"

JISC CETIS has released the "JISC CETIS 2011 Informal Horizon Scan."

Here's an excerpt:

This report outlines some technology trends and issues of interest and relevance to CETIS. It should be seen as a set of un-processed perceptions rather than the product of a formal process; a great deal of ground is not scanned in this paper and it should be understood that no formal prioritisation process was undertaken.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Digital Curation and Preservation Bibliography 2010 |

Current News: Twitter Updates for 4/11/11

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Web Designer at Rutgers University Libraries

The Rutgers University Libraries are recruiting a Web Designer.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Reports to the Rutgers University Libraries IT Manager (Director of Integrated Information Systems (IIS)). Designs, develops, tests, and implements online solutions to support digital library initiatives following an established timeline. Works on multiple programming projects simultaneously, while maintaining a high level of work and meeting project deadlines. Designs and develops visual look-and-feel for webpages, mobile applications, and other online communication channels. Creates user interfaces for web applications based on accessibility and usability standards. Analyzes, validates, and improves existing solutions under the direction of the supervisor. Creates and updates documentation associated with programming projects that can be shared with other software designers and system administrators. Participates in testing of development projects, and actively participates in departmental, team, and committee meetings by sharing knowledge, learning from others, and training.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

OCLC Research Library Partnership to Launch in July 2011

The OCLC Research Library Partnership will launch on 7/1/11.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

The OCLC Research Library Partnership is a new entity that will replace the RLG Partnership on 1 July 2011 and is a locus for OCLC's increased support of the research library community. It is an organization born out of the successful merger of RLG and OCLC in 2006, when expert staff from the two organizations were blended into one team with a combined effort directed toward supporting research libraries and archives. The merger created a venue where affiliated institutions could collectively identify, analyze, prioritize and design scalable solutions to shared information challenges. . . .

OCLC recognizes the valuable contribution that research libraries play in the cooperative and wants to provide a specific venue for engagement around shared issues. This venue is the OCLC Research Library Partnership, and it represents OCLC's renewed commitment to the research library community. OCLC's increased investment in the Partnership enables a significant reduction in the annual Partnership dues, which will, in turn, enable a greater range of institutions to participate in the Partnership in the future.

Read more about it at "Introducing the OCLC Research Library Partnership" and "OCLC Research Library Partnership Frequently Asked Questions."

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 |

Coordinator of Information Technology (IT) Services at Birmingham Public Library

The Birmingham Public Library is recruiting a Coordinator of Information Technology (IT) Services. Salary range: $55,265.60-$63,897.60.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This is a professional position requiring knowledge of library principles, practices and policies along with five years of supervisory experience with information systems management. The Coordinator for Information Technology (IT) administers, plans, and coordinates day-to-day operations of the IT Services Department of the Birmingham Public Library System. Work involves planning, organizing and directing all activities of personnel in the Library IT Department responsible for providing information systems and services to all Library locations; coordinates Data Processing functions including computer operations, development and maintenance of computer programs and information center; plans, budgets, staffs, operates and monitors systems to ensure satisfaction of user departments. Supervises all personnel assigned to the IT Department including Network System Administrators, PC/Network Technicians, Library Assistants and Clerks; develops operational budget, policies and procedure recommendations. Works under the general guidance and direction of the Associate Director.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Open Access: Journal Tendering for Societies: A Brief Guide

The Association for Learning Technology has released Journal Tendering for Societies: A Brief Guide.

Here's an excerpt:

Hundreds of societies publish journals in collaboration with publishers. Some may be considering how and whether to renegotiate or go out to tender. Some may be considering whether they can/should/wish to change the business model of the journal (e.g. by a move to Open Access). Other societies may be considering using an external publisher for the first time. This guide, based on our experience, is written for all of these. . . .

In mid October 2010 we issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a new publisher. We had interest from six publishers who asked questions about our intentions. We then received four proposals: one which offered an Open Access model only, one which offered both Open Access and conventional publishing as discrete alternatives, and two which offered approaches that included an Open Access component. Three of the proposals were from big publishers. After evaluating the proposals, ALT's Trustees decided in December 2010 to make the journal, which has been renamed Research in Learning Technology, a fully Open Access journal with effect from 1st January 2012.

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 |

Current News: Twitter Updates for 4/10/11

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |

Digital User Experience Specialist at Purdue University Libraries

The Purdue University Libraries are recruiting a Digital User Experience Specialist.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Purdue University Libraries seek an energetic and innovative individual with expertise in usability, information architecture, and information-seeking behaviors to develop more effective approaches to learning and research in the Libraries’ virtual environment. This includes providing leadership in the information architecture of Libraries websites, web applications and tools, usability testing and user research, the integration of emerging technologies, and the development of mobile interfaces.

The Digital User Experience Specialist will collaborate with library faculty and staff on improving the usability of the Purdue Libraries web presence, including websites and web-facing services and collections. Apply principles of information architecture and usability to develop effective site interfaces and navigation structures. Collaborate with library faculty and staff to develop new web-based information resources and services. Work with technical staff in the Libraries and other stakeholders, both in the Libraries and in Colleges and Schools of the University, to develop a robust website infrastructure. Provide a seamless web environment and integrate various library applications and services. Engages in scholarship related to online user behaviors, information organization, and web technologies. Reports to the Associate Dean for Digital Programs and Information Access

| Digital Scholarship | Digital Scholarship Publications Overview | Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications |