We invite you to join us for the 39th IAMSLIC Annual Conference and 2013 SAIL Meeting to be held October 20-24, 2013 at the Nova Southeastern University’s new Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research located in Dania Beach in the Sunshine State of Florida, USA.

The program committee has selected the conference theme Visualizing a Bright Future to examine the transformation of libraries and the new opportunities for information professionals.

The conference website is now live! There you will find a full description of the conference theme and call for proposals as well as information about our host institution and conference hotel (now accepting reservations).

We look forward to receiving proposals for conference papers, panel discussions, posters or workshops. The deadline is April 19, 2013. A list of suggested topics and instructions for submission are available on the conference website.

On behalf of the planning committees, we look forward to seeing you in October!

Sally Taylor
Conference Convener & Chair
sally.taylor@ubc.ca

Jaime Goldman
Local Host
jaime.goldman@nsu.nova.edu

Maria Kalentsits
IAMSLIC President 2012-2013
maria.kalentsits@fao.org

Carla Robinson
SAIL Representative 2011-2013
crobins@hboi.fau.edu

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Well, for the diehards, Friday was the fabulous field trip to the Portage Glacier. I suspect that the tours are scheduled on the following Friday rather than the preceding Saturday to get us all to stay a bit longer.  Thursday’s presentations & business meeting were a bit thinly attended.

But we did get to sleep in a bit on Friday though not much longer as the lovely breakfast buffet still closed down at 9 am.  I successfully slept in until 730 am rather than my usual 530 am.  Was very nice.  The 21 adventurers gathered in the hotel lobby to once again board the Magic Bus (truly the name of the tour company) with driver Steve who was with us for most of our excursions.  We took the Seward Highway down along the Turnagain Arm looking once more for beluga whales and dall sheep.  A few more clouds and a bit of rain didn’t dampen our spirits.

The first stop was Mt Alyeska with a tram ride to the top of the mountain for spectacular views of 7 glaciers.  We got to share the Glacier Express restaurant with a group of junior high school students who had trekked up the mountain rather than riding the tram.  They take physical education very seriously in Alaska.  Some of the boys in the group we suspect were daring each other to talk to Sally T.  The reindeer sausage combo seemed to be the most popular choice among our group, but others may chime in with their choices. Back down on the tram, we wandered about the Hotel Alyeska for a bit before boarding the bus to our next stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.  Bison & Muskox & Bears, oh my.  Plains bison, wood bison, muskox, elk, caribou, baby moose, brown & black bears, eagles, owls & (my favorite) lynx.  We all got some good pictures of the wildlife and the caribou entertained us by having a bit of a tussle, locking antlers and all that.

Onward to a surprise stop at a salmon spawning area with sockeye (red) and chum (dog) fighting over spaces for redds (nests).  The sockeye were brilliant red, showing off their spawning colors. Several of the chum were quite brilliant with strips of different colors. Of course, there was also a fantastic view of a hanging glacier.

Sweeping down the road to Portage Glacier, we took a slight detour to a scenic point overlooking the lake for a couple of photos.  The wind and rain were not relenting.  We arrived at the boat landing to find a welcoming espresso stand inside where we lined up for stimulating hand warmers.  The warmth didn’t last as we were lashed by rain as we boarded the boat for the 1 hour tour.  The captain & crew drew out the suspense by taking us the long way round the lake while a Forest Ranger (not a Park Ranger) told us about the natural history of the lake and surrounding areas.   After about 5 minutes the cabin was feeling a bit stuffy, so I headed up to the top deck which I was surprised to have to myself. There were speakers upstairs as well, so I could hear the lecture quite clearly.  Finally, we approached Portage Glacier. And I know exactly the range of colors meant by ‘glacier blue’. Spectacular.  Folks finally began to brave the uncovered upper deck to get better pictures of the glacier to preserve this awesome sight for future generations. Receding at 100 yards per year, the Portage Glacier is swiftly disappearing.  We were also lucky enough to see calving as a large chunk fell off the face of the glacier. Not large enough to create a wave to rock the boat, but still quite a sight.  After passing in front of the glacier a few times, the captain took us back to the dock.  On the way, we learned that there are critters on the glacier ice.  Ice worms are small black worms that thrive in temperatures between 32 & 34 degrees fahrenheit. Touching them with bare hands will kill them from thermal shock.

Boarding the Magic Bus for the return trip, most of us were quite wet from the experience.   After we were dropped at the hotel, a smaller group headed out for dinner at (where else), the Glacier Brewhouse.  Based on the number of folks crowding the tables and bar, this restaurant is THE place to eat in Anchorage.

Once more we all bid farewell until next year in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Do you really want to miss out on the stories and adventures that await at these conferences? There’s nothing like seeing a glacier with your own eyes!

Lenora
StreamNet Regional Librarian
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
http://www.streamnetlibrary.org

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Beginning our final day of presentations, the Aquatic Commons Board briefly addressed the group on various aspects of the project and then in conjunction with Helen Wibley from ASFA, formed a panel to answer questions about participation and future direction of the Aquatic Commons.

Next up was Nancy Kraft and Linda Pikula to present on a preservation project for marine documents in a library in Vietnam.  There are some rare materials in need of conservation & digitization in the collection. Ms Kraft & Ms Pikula went on a mission to help the Vietnamese librarians come up with practical and affordable ways to preserve the collections in a marine environment with very little climate control.

After a break, the 2nd IAMSLIC business meeting was called to order. The Guin Auction earnings were announced followed by election results.  Junior President is Guillermina Cosulich from INIDEP in Argentina.   I was elected treasurer.  Thank you for your confidence in my abilities.  The meeting then moved into a discussion of the new IODE proposal to form a group of experts.  The group voted to form a task force to investigate the proposal and come up with ideas for how the joint venture could benefit both groups.  The discussion was a bit out of control, but eventually we all settled down and with no other new business, we moved on to the presentation by the next host, Jaime Goldman at Nova Southeastern University in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.  Dates are October 20-25th, 2013.  The 2014 site was announced as New Caledonia in coordination with the Pacific Islands Regional Group (PIRG).

Our free afternoon was spent shopping in various tourist traps for souvenirs to take home to loved ones, eating light lunches and talking to friends as fast as possible as we knew our time together was drawing to a close.  There were some who chose to take in other sites such as the Anchorage Museum, or hike in Earthquake Park rather than wander downtown Anchorage in the hope that meant better hotel shuttle service, only to be disappointed again.

Lenora
StreamNet Regional Library
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
http://www.streamnetlibrary.org

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After a late night return from the Seward, we were all running on fumes for the Wednesday morning early start.  Library Dean Steve Rollins addressed the group as a reschedule from Monday morning.

We discussed engaging new audiences, but we all looked like the same audience that has been here all week.  HAHAHA.   But seriously, the opening field of data curatorship is ripe for the help of librarians to organize, publicize and help patrons learn to repurpose data. Data is the new currency.  If libraries can become repositories for not just documents, but complete data sets, we’ll be rich. Once more we learned of the cutting edge work taking place at the Biodiversity Heritage Library & Encyclopedia of Life.  We then learned the important questions to ask when conducting a data interview with patrons looking of for our help in storing data sets.  Finally, we talked about how we can help patrons cite data and publish data sets with DOI’s embeddded in publications.  After a short break, the panel of experts convened to answer more questions from the audience about using our skills to help patrons with their data sets.

During lunch folks gathered at the Guin Auction tables to put in bids, but we extended the deadline for bidding until 1:40 pm after the PM break.

After lunch, we had brief presentations on the various posters submitted for members.  We then all walked out to view the posters and talk to the authors directly.  This segued into our PM break.  During the last few minutes of bidding at the Guin Auction, we had some rough and tumble bidding going on.  Lots of last minute bids on the very desirable items.

Following the PM break, we were given presentations by our vendors/sponsors.  Inter-Research was represented by Ian Stewart and Thomson Reuters was represented by Kristen Culp.  We love our sponsors and hope to see them all in Fort Lauderdale, Florida next year.  Their generosity and input into the program are very much appreciated.

In the meantime, assisted by Jen Walton, I gathered up all the Guin Auction items and sorted them into winning bid piles.  Just about everyone got something.  We had over 80 items this year and earned $1220 for the Guin Fund.  Again, thanks to all the members for the donation of auction items and for their generous bids and donations.

While this was going on, the Green Flash was ably moderated by Kristen LaBonte.  Lots of topics this year. I did make the session in time to see the 2009 Antarctic film winner “Legend of the Golden Roll”.  For those who attended the Belgium conference, you’ll remember this hilarious short film about retrieving toilet paper from an ice cave in Antarctica.

Ending a bit early, we all hurried out to get back to the hotel to change (or not) for the evening banquet at the Hotel Captain Cook.  Cook Inlet is the large body of water named for Captain Cook who spent quite some time looking for the Northwest Passage.

The group gathered in the lobby of the hotel and boarded the Magic Bus (our favorite form of transport as it was much more reliable and friendly than the hotel shuttle). Anyway, we arrived at the hotel and did not realize there were 3 separate towers in the hotel.  We were supposed to be in the Quarterdeck Restaurant on the top floor of tower 1.  Drifting around, the herd wandered until we found a set of likely elevators.  Well, these were the tower 3 elevators.  A brief tour of the tower 3 top floor proved fruitless, so we elevatored back down to the main floor to wander again only to find Daria & Celia waiting at the bank of tower 1 elevators to direct us to the proper location.  Mesmerized by the view, we walked in a daze to the tables and continued to stare at Cook Inlet and the various mountain ranges.  Transfixed by the play of sun & cloud, we buzzed with talk of the conference, personal stories and various small talk until the buffet was finally opened.  Once again, our palates were amazed with tasty dishes including halibut, chicken, vegetarian lasagna, new potatoes and a variety of salads. The dessert portion was beautifully displayed with a wide variety of tarts, cakes & fresh fruit.  Dinner was initially accompanied by lovely classical guitar.

However, the best part of the evening was Dr Leslie Cornick talking about the endangered beluga whales of Cook Inlet.  We were regaled with biology, tales of the endangered species act, habitat modification.  We were a bit disappointed that she didn’t have her sound file loaded so we could listen to beluga whale acoustics, but here’s YouTube video of Beethoven demonstrating sounds at the Point Defiance Zoo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvsvcnzFy-g  or here’s a sound file from National Geographic: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/beluga-whale/  I would have loved to have Dr Cornick continue. Her passion for these animals was contagious.

Finally, the dinner ended and the accordion player was set up to continue the evening with dancing and other sorts of frolic. Those of us not fully recovered from the previous late night hobbled off to find the return bus to the hotel to drop into our beds and sleep.

Lenora
StreamNet Regional Librarian
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
http://www.streamnetlibrary.org

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We’re diving right in to databases and discovery.  We start the day with the an unusual look at databases from Barb Butler & Janet Webster.  These collaborators entertain and enlighten with every presentation. Seems the “We’ve Always Done It This Way” crowd was a little contentious about having some of our traditional resources examined from different perspectives. Mostly because the resources don’t seem to add up from behind.  “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.”  More examination is necessary as we examine our practices to make sure they really are what is best for the patron, not what is most comfortable for us.

On the wild frontier of discovery, we learned about new discovery tools and how we are using them to help patrons find materials and resources without having the think too much.  The Google Search Box model is taking over the world.

Short break and we learn”How Chitons Explain the World”.  These interesting critters go by many names.  In Bermuda, they are called suckrocks.  (That’s kind of an insult in my family where we tell each other to ‘Go suck a rock’ when we’re angry with each other.)   In Alaska, the Katharina tunicata is called bidarki.  The Native Alaskans eat quite a few of these, though the meal is called a ‘shut up dinner’.   Lots of details about the many circumstances that have led to the critters becoming a primary food source rather than the other seafood choices of the area.  “Effective conservation methods requires understanding of past and causal conditions.”

After this wonderful talk, we snagged our box lunches and boarded the buses for the Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward, Alaska.  Driving along Turnagain Arm, we were lucky enough to spot beluga whales in the water.  Sorry, no pictures as they surface and dive too quickly for my shutter.  I do need to experiment more with my camera.

We arrived in Seward just a bit late, but still got to do everything on the schedule for the center. PUFFINS!!!  Yes, our first talk was the Puffin Experience.  We were introduced to Alcid biology and other interesting facts as well as Nemo the horned puffin, a rhinoceros auklet and Dot, the tufted puffin.

We went behind the scenes to visit the labs and tanks behind the walls the public sees.  A self-guided tour allowed us time to see all the exhibits and visit the gift shop.  A sumptuous dinner was served on the first floor among the underwater exhibits where several of us tried to capture pictures of the young, energetic harbor seal.  The little devil enjoyed teasing all the silly humans trying to get his picture.  And we loaded the bus for the 2.5 hour journey home, which turned out to be a bit longer due to road construction going on after dark.  A very late night, but well worth the visit and the drive as we got to see a lot of gorgeous scenery.

Lenora
StreamNet Regional Librarian
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
http://www.streamnetlibrary.org

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IAMSLIC 2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

The day began with a welcome from the UAA Chancellor, Tom Case.  Opening comments by Amy Butros who is running in reverse, she began her presidency in Zanzibar and is ending in Anchorage.  Maria Kalentsis then gave us a few tips on organizing a fabulous conference and officially convened us all.

Had a quick break as we were already ahead of schedule.  Then Dr. Gunnar Knapp gave us an overview of Alaska fisheries and current policy issues.  He discussed the 3 types of fisheries (sport, commercial & subsistence) as well as the types of fish that are sought (salmon, herring, halibut, shellfish & groundfish).  The different policies used to keep those fisheries sustainable such as limited entry and individual fishing quotas. No system will be liked by the various parties managing the fisheries, but these policies are working so far for Alaska.

Another quick break and the 1st business meeting was called to order. Well, the membership did behave for the most part, I’m not sure we are ever an orderly bunch.  You’ll have to check the minutes when they are posted as I was busy setting up the Guin Auction. Had to print more auction bidding slips as I ran out and I thought I was going to have extra.  Ah, the generosity of librarians to help support their own.  I’ll post a full range of pictures.  Perhaps we should start a betting pool as well on which of the items will go for the highest bid.  Of course, we could also post a private auction or arrange for bidding for off-site folks in future auctions. Seriously, if you’re not here, there is some fabulous stuff up for grabs this year.  Folks have outdone themselves.

Bidding was opened on the Guin Auction as lunch was served. After a lunch consisting of a baked potato bar, soup & chili (awesome chili), we moved back to our spots to listen to exciting innovations in patron instruction.  Michelle Leonard worked on an NSF grant to develop a computer game to teach researchers (students & faculty) about ethical research.  She also showed us some of the other tools for conducting ethical research and teaching scientists about various tasks that some faculty forget students don’t already know.  Sorry, I wasn’t born with the knowledge of how to keep a notebook. Not that I know now as I was never taught.

Anyway, we moved on to Elizabeth Connor talking about QR codes: 1. why the are useful 2. how to create them.  They are fun.  You could have a lot of fun with plain text ones in your library as well as posting contact information, hours, or other useful information in various places around the library.  You can post maps that students or others can download to their smartphones.  Would be interesting to see if we could add QR codes to catalog records that geolocate books like geocaches in the library.  I think I might most a few around the library as plain text links with jokes about why the salmon crossed the road.  No, of course, I don’t know why the salmon crossed the road. I don’t think they know. Salmon brains are really quite small and they don’t think much.

Another break with veggies & dip.  THey are sooo helping me stick to a better diet. Thank you very much.

We returned to presentations on the importance of staying relevant and how this problem really is global for libraries all over the world.  Perhaps folks should chime in on the email list when they have a bright idea for sharing information or new services the library can pursue in order to draw attention to our other services.  Don’t wait for the Green Flash or conference, get the word out.  Save a colleague!

Our afternoon invited speaker was AWESOME.  Environmental justice with worldwide case studies and contaminants in Alaska. Dr Frank von Hippel is an ecotoxicologist at the university.  His presentation was riveting. Absolutely riveting.  The damage we have done as humans in places where our fellow humans are affected. The social injustices, the economic costs. Wow.  But there is hope.  We can figure out where things are going wrong, train and use citizen scientists to monitor conditions, invest in clean up of toxics and make the world a better place.

And, we were free for the day.  A large group took off for The Bridge Restaurant with Kristen C. of the vendor variety serving as host to the party.  THANK YOU!!!    Not sure I can give more detail than that, but they are a well-known publisher (T.R.)

Should thank all of our conference sponsors, Ebsco, Proquest, Inter-Research, Thomson-Reuters, IODE, UAA, Harrassowitz, cruiseabout, Discovery Car Hire Australia, Dejan Seo, iSelect, Centrepoint Finance, OzForex & ninfold Cloud Computing. Without their generous support, we wouldn’t really be able to afford to put on such great conferences.  Donations by local companies for the Guin Auction were from: Arctic Office Products, Humpy’s Great Alaskan Ale House, Kobuk Coffee Company, Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria & the UAA bookstore.

Lenora
StreamNet Regional Librarian
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
http://www.streamnetlibrary.org

PS Many of us are disappointed that we have not seen any wildlife beyond ducks in the lake behind the hotel. But we’re still on the lookout for the charismatic megafauna we were practically promised by the Alaska advertising.

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IAMSLIC 2012

Sunday, August 26, 2012

The day began a bit early as we all rose for breakfast and then congregated at the door of the Magic Bus to begin our field trip to the Alaska Native Heritage Center.  Not a very long drive, but enough time to admire the snow-sprinkled mountains and the sun peeking through the clouds to highlight the alpine meadows climbing up the sides of the mountains.  Green is an abundant color, though we did notice that the leaves are already starting to turn to fall here in the last frontier.

We arrived at the Center to be greeted by our guides and begin our private guided tours through the center.   The elders of the natives from the Anchorage area were asked for permission and blessings to build this center which seeks to educate the world about the rich cultural heritage of these tribes. Not much to the main building, we hustled outside to walk through the largest part of the center which features small, replica villages from each of the 5 language groups that the Alaska Natives are grouped into.  We were split into two groups, and Casey led us away.   Walking the trail through the villages, Casey told us stories, answered questions and shared his vast knowledge of all the cultures.  The rhythm & cadence combine with the pitch of his voice provided a fabulous.  Casey is from the Cupik tribe and regaled us with stories of how he grew up and even how he still goes home to hunt.  We learned history & traditions as well as how the people currently live in the most remote areas of Alaska.

We returned to the main building which houses the Hall of Cultures, theatre & gift shop.  A craft fair was being held in the Hall of Cultures with vendors selling handmade items.  The theatre is a stage to show off cultural traditions including games/sports, singing & dancing.  There was a demonstration of boys kicking a ball high in the air and then Haida people came out to showcase songs and dances.  Their regalia includes the famous button blankets. The end of our tour came at the end of the singing & dancing, so we all sashayed out to the bus to the beat of the drum.  So sad that the bus back to the hotel was not the Magic Bus.  Oh well.

From the hotel, we all took off for various destinations for lunch with downtown being the most popular.  We split as some had stomachs eating through their abdominal walls, so they found a restaurant right away.  Others decided to wait a bit and took the one hour Historic Anchorage Trolley tour.  The downtown Anchorage Visitors’ Center has a shuttle pick up and drop off.  Most of the tourist attractions provide free shuttles to their sites for tourists.  Very convenient.

After a tasty caribou/reindeer cheeseburger with salad (oh, I’m being good), my group walked around downtown to various cheap & tacky (some not-so-tacky but out of my price range) tourist shops to gather souvenirs.  Our adventure took longer than we thought as we arrived back at the hotel with just enough time to change and make our way over to the Welcome Reception at the Carr Gottstein Lobby at the Alaska Pacific University campus.  And again, the food was most excellent.  Sort of an open bar, but the group must be slowing down as there were still some full bottles when I left at 730.  

So, there were lots of hugging and excitement as we all greeted those who visit with us sporadically as well as those who we get to see annually.  During the dinner, the local hosts had door prizes.  Thanx for the chocolate covered espresso beans.  I do love them so.

I fell into the comfy bed with a sigh and lost myself to dreams of seeing wild moose & bears & other wildlife.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/97187258540/  Join the IAMSLIC group on Facebook for all the pictures.  I’m disillusioned with Flickr so will be searching for another photo-sharing service. Suggestions are welcome.  la.oftedahl@comcast.net

Lenora
StreamNet Regional Librarian
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
http://www.streamnetlibrary.org

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Registration is now open for the 38th IAMSLIC Conference “Exploring New Frontiers in Aquatic Sciences Information Management” and Cyamus 24th Annual Meeting to be held in Anchorage, Alaska, USA.

Full early registration fee is $ 425 US

For more information and to register please visit: https://www.regonline.com/1093731AK 

The conference program is now being finalized and should be available in coming days. In the meantime, we have added a general schedule to the Program Section.

Maria Kalentsits, Conference convenor

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Dear colleagues,

The planning for the 38^th IAMSLIC Conference in Anchorage, Alaska is progressing well. Our Programm Committee has already received a good number of interesting paper and discussion workshop proposals and  some additional proposals can still be considered by the Committee for inclusion into the Conference Programme.

We would like to inform you that the deadline for presentation submissions has been extended until April 30. For those of you who have considered submitting but haven’t yet done so, now is the time.

For complete details, including what to include in your proposal, see the conference website.

We are looking forward to receiving some more presentation proposals and meeting you at the conference.

Best regards,

 Maria Kalentsits & The Program Committee

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SAIL is holding its annual conference on April 10-13 at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA.
Carla Robinson, SAIL Representative

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