16 November 2010

Minutes of the Local Studies Librarians Meeting, Held at Whitlam Library, Cabramatta NSW on 16th November, 2010

Present: Joan Rowland (Kuringai); Stephen Coppins (Holroyd); Jo Oliver (Camden); Kimberly O’Sullivan (Waverley); Angela Phippen (Ryde); Joan Ruthven (Woollahra); Michelle Nichols (Hawkesbury); Geoff Potter (Gosford); Marilyn Gallo (Fairfield); Pam Langridge (Central Northern Regional, Tamworth); John MacRitchie (Manly); Kay Shirt (Lithgow); Darren Ellis (Botany Bay); Helen McDonald (Sutherland); Donna Braye (Mosman); Leanne Webster (Kiama); Lynn Bonomini (Southern Tablelands); Leonie Gendle (Blacktown); Marisa O’Connor (Wollongong); Julie Fitzsimons (Hurstville); Andrew Allen (Campbelltown). Apologies: Derrilin Marshall, Shoalhaven; Liz Thomas, Coff’s Harbour; Noelene Pullen, The Hills Shire Council; Mary Lou Byrne, Mosman; Ellen Forsyth, SLNSW; Joanne Morris, Liverpool.

Meeting commenced 10.35am. 1. Lynn Bonomini (Southern Tablelands, Local Studies) “A Mug’s approach to a Library Blog”. Lynn is the Regional History Coordinator for Southern Tablelands Library Service. Lynn and the collections she cares for are based at Goulburn. The blog that Lyn operates is called “History matters” at: http://strlhistorymatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/goulburn-steam-museum.html The blog is used to disseminate information on areas outside Goulburn which may not be well represented in the “Goulburn-centric” main collection. A trial and error approach has been used to set up and maintain the blog. The blog itself is based on those available through Google blogger, the free weblog publishing tool at: www.blogger.com/ The “History matters” blog contains snippets of Goulburn and Southern Tablelands local history, including snippets on anniversaries; notable events or identities. Lynn suggests a mix of old and new photographs. Information is mainly drawn from primary sources, with occasional original pieces specially written. All sources are acknowledged. Blog is updated usually on a weekly basis. The contents are free form, often based around serendipitous discoveries made answering research enquiries, and also items that the blogger finds personally interesting. Lyn spends around 1 hour gathering and uploading material per week. One advantage of this type of blog is that it is “doable” and sustainable in the context of broader library duties. Currently the “History matters” blog is not vetted by any other Library or Council staff, but the contents of the blog seldom contain any information that could be considered controversial. By way of guidance, the State Library of NSW now has a social media policy for public libraries available at: www.sl.nsw.gov.au/.../public_libraries/policies/.../Discussion%20paper%20~%20social%20media%20policies%200.1.rtf Statistically, there is an average of 1 comment per month from the public. The “History matters” blog averages 200 hits per week, and there are statistical recording tools, such as Statcounter http://statcounter.com/ so that you can monitor usage. The process of creating an article for a blog starts with the creation of a Word document for text. Next, copy text and selected images to Blogger. Multiple images can be added. Adjust image size in Blogger. 200dpi is the usual image quality used in “History matters”. Add tags to aid users in locating articles on the blog. Add requests for information. “Do you remember so-and-so??” Please share your memories of this event, etc. Benefits of the blog include: Low cost for time invested. Blog is on Library main page, so it is easily located by visitors to the Council website. Safeguards include the moderation of posts from the public. Lyn suggests using Google alerts http://www.google.com/alerts to monitor new comments on the blog. Lyn’s mantra: Be simple; be wide-ranging; acknowledge sources; don’t editorialise.

2. John MacRitchie (Manly Library, Local Studies) “Expect the unexpected – Library blogging”. Local Studies blogs have a way of producing the unanticipated – information, invitations, controversy, publicity, joy and serendipity. Local Studies blogs may take a little while to get noticed. Often Local Studies blogs are written by one person. Suggested text for bloggers include: Crosby, Connie. Effective blogging for libraries. London: Facet, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-55570-713-2. & Theimer, Kate. Web 2.0 tools & strategies for archives & local history collections. London: Facet, 2010. 978-1-856-04687-9. Some examples of Local Studies Blogs include Manly; Blue Mountains; Oxfordshire Public Library (UK); Swindon (UK); South Dublin. Some blogs lose momentum, sometimes due to one person compiling it. Why should you keep a blog? A blog addresses another segment of the library’s public. They help promote the Library’s “brand”, and provide another tool in the local studies toolbox. Tone is important when keeping a blog. It helps if it is seen to come from a real person. Always remember that, in whatever you put on a blog, you are a Council employee. Be conscious of what family information you place on a blog, as there are many “long memories” in the community. Crosby states that blog users fall into the following categories: Spectators; Collectors; critics; contributors; enactors. Around 1 hour per week is spent maintaining and updating Manly’s blog. Take time to celebrate blog milestones. It can be difficult to quantify benefits of blogs. Feedback can come from public and fan bases. Enthusiasts (Bus, train, car etc.) can be great users of blogs, and can contribute much additional information to a blog (and hence your Local Studies Collection). “Test” blog for several weeks. Ask for staff comments and suggestions. Sitemeter http://www.sitemeter.com/ can be used to collect extensive blog statistics, even down to who and from where the site is accessed. Place a disclaimer along the lines of “Comments are open to all but are moderated by the owner. Comments must remain civil. (after Crosby). Avoid putting brief but information-poor comments up like “nice blog”. Content can be flexible, basically whatever you like. Tags can be assigned using trial and error. Kudos for your blog, if it is good enough, may come from awards such as those from Edublog http://edublogawards.com/ . Manly puts reasonably high resolution images up on its blog. Consider blogging… it may give Local Studies Librarians a fresh perspective and a new start.

3. Michael Bennett, Secretary of the Professional Historian’s Association (NSW) and NTSCorp Historian. PHA NSW aims to represent Professional Historians in NSW. It has over 100 members. The group has a code of ethics. It seeks to maintain links to similar groups with related professional groups both in Australia and Internationally. PHA NSW seeks to promote the concept of professional history and the status of professional historians in the community. It seeks to represent its members and prospective employers in matters relating to acceptable standards of employment. PHA NSW seeks to encourage continued professional development of members. Professional historians: research and prepare conservation plans; conduct heritage studies/surveys; Assess cultural significance; Prepare historical contextual studies; historical research and writing; editing & publishing historical works; public speaking. Professional historians can provide contextual understanding based on extensive training and rigorous standards. Further information can be found at: http://www.phansw.org.au/ NTSCorp: The vision of NTSCORP at all times is to promote social justice; economic, cultural and social independence. It is their purpose to assist Traditional Owners to achieve these aims through native title and related processes. NTSCorp values are: respect for elders and other members of the Aboriginal community; A commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for Aboriginal people; Self-determination and capacity building for Traditional Owners; Acting with honesty, professionalism and accountability; The efficient, fair and transparent performance of its functions; The provision of a safe diverse and trusting workplace. NTCorp performs the function of a representative body under the Native Title Act. NTSCorp offers legal, research & facilitation assistance. http://www.ntscorp.com.au/ . Native Title requires evidence of a continuity of connection for indigenous people to land and waters. Of particular interest to Local Studies Librarians and their indigenous customers is the way that NTSCorp collects and makes available (to descendants) genealogical material (family trees, files, photos, birth, death & marriage documents). This service is provided free. If you know of an Aboriginal person from NSW and they would like a copy of their personal genealogy, or if you have any questions about genealogical research conducted by NTSCorp, contact Historian Michael Bennett and Anthropologist James Rose on (02) 9310 3188 or email ntscorp@ntscorp.com.au NTSCorp also seeks donations of indigenous genealogical material. It is hoped in future that various projects will further enhance access to material collected by NTSCorp. 4. General Business Business arising from previous meetings Local Studies “Thunderbirds” concept. This concept was first discussed following the disastrous flooding of Coffs Harbour Museum in March 2009. Recently it has been reported that a new premises, an old courthouse, has been purchased for a museum. http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2010/12/01/old-courthouse-become-museum/ The “Thunderbirds” concept is basically that a team of Local Studies Librarians (with the blessing of their respective employers) be available in the event of flood, fire, or other damage to historical collections to assist local librarians cope in the aftermath. It was felt that while the idea has great merit, it would require some form of framework to put to PLA and CPLA members. Issues involve matters such as insurance, safety, chain-of-command, accommodation, costs involved etc. will all need careful consideration. It was agreed that a basic framework be discussed and drafted by the LS Librarians Committee and presented at a future meeting for discussion.

New Business A Sense of Place: local studies in Australia and New Zealand will be held at the State Library of NSW 5-6 May 2011http:www.auslib.com.au/ “Inside history” a new magazine, has published its first issue. Subscription is $60.00 for six issues. http://www.insidehistory.com.au/ Hawkesbury Library is currently having newspapers digitized for the NLA Trove project. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper Cost is $2.00 per page. The current project has a budget of $20,000. “Find my past” Australian version http://www.findmypast.com.au/ has undergone a revision in pricing for Libraries. Reportedly the subscription is quite reasonable. “Familysearch beta” sees the Latter Day Saints website greatly enhanced at: https://www.familysearch.org/ History Week 2010: Waverley ran a heritage walk, and focused on street name histories. Jamberoo ran a very successful “Faces in the street” exhibition, with contemporary images of local identities. Exhibition has led to further oral history projects. National Trust Heritage Festival 2011 (2-17 April,) has the theme “Amazing stories” http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/events/festival/ Members present were pleased that this theme was a broad and inclusive one which could lead to many interesting projects. History Council History Week (3-11September) http://www.historycouncilnsw.org.au/events/history-week has the theme “Eat history”. This theme met with much support, following on from great themes from previous years. The idea of “virtual exhibitions” was raised. A website could utilise images from contributing Libraries. Western Sydney Local Studies group has previously put up the “Faces in the Street” exhibition, with thematic histories and individual area histories. http://www.westernsydneylibraries.nsw.gov.au/faces_in_the_street/index.html The group asked the Committee to approach the NSW State Library to support a virtual exhibition of images from across the State for History Week’s “Eat history” theme. Essentially each contributing local Library would submit their favourite food-themed photographs (5-10 was suggested). Photographs could be historical or contemporary. Each year, a new virtual exhibition could be added to suit a History Week theme. Digital Practice in Libraries update. This project aims to go live on the web by the end of January. Digital best practice conference is planned for 15th February at the State Library. A request was put forward that a day workshop for practical digitization skills be run (perhaps by State Library) after conference on 16th February. Committee 2011: Donna Braye (Mosman); Geoff Potter (Gosford). Welcome to new committee members Kimberley O’Sullivan (Waverley) and Bruce Carter (Leichhardt) Suggestions for future meetings. Carol Liston on land records? Preservation Australia practical workshop on paper based conservation. Please use the ALIA local studies list to communicate to other Local Studies Librarians. One use was to swap excess conservation materials, equipment, local history titles etc. It is your list, use it. Next meeting: Goulburn, possibly Tuesday 11th October, 2011. An impromptu meeting could be held at the State Library to coincide with A Sense of Place: local studies in Australia and New Zealand 5-6 May 2011. A vote of thanks to Marilyn Gallo and the staff of Fairfield Library Service was given. Thanks to Donna Braye for organising an excellent meeting. Meeting concluded 3pm.