Module 4 Tags, Del.ico.us and Library Thing

As someone who likes consistency and standardisation I find it difficult to accept the unorthodox nature of tagging, also opportunity for spelling errors etc however having tried out a number of genealogy/family history tags can see potential for their usefulness.
Set up my own Library Thing account and added a title I have just read to my catalogue.

Annabel

Module 3 Podcasts

I took the opportunity to listen again to the Library podcast of Professor Alistair Thomson of Monash University giving the 2008 Don Grant Lecture on the topic Moving Stories, part of Family History Feast 2008.
Alistair is a superb speaker who has a strong interest in oral history. He uses these techniques to great effect in this talk when he catches up with four English women who migrated to Australia in the 1960s. A moving and poignant presentation.

Podcasts are already being used extensively in libraries and archives for example The National Archives in London. I am keen that the Library investigates ways to add the complementary powerpoint slides to our podcasts. This is often requested by members of the public but so far hasn't happened.

Annabel

Module 3 : RSS feeds etc

Excellent way to easily and efficiently keep up to date with whats happening in specific subject areas e.g. genealogy as well as for personal areas of interest eg. entertainment and news. Have used previously and am well aware of how useful rss feeds can be. Huge potential for libraries.

Annabel

Wonders of technology!

Though I am unable to get around at the moment because of an achilles tendon injury due to the wonders of modern technology I can still access all my work emails, telephone calls etc from home. I will be working on Module 3 Learning 2.0 this week with hopefully the podcast of Family History Feast 2009 to be published. We shall see.

Annabel

5 million steps

Stepped Collective Team has just achieved our 5 millionth step since 21 May 2009.

Annabel

Module 2 Zoho writer etc

Good to try something new. Found it easy to use but didn't like the formatting. Will stick with Word at the moment. Potential for the future.

Annabel

Family History Feast 2009

Family History Feast was a day of free information sessions for family history researchers at the State Library. It included the annual Victorian Association of Family History Organisations (VAFHO) Don Grant Lecture. The event showcased how the major Victorian government agencies for genealogical research can assist those researching family history.

More than 150 eager genealogists (the largest group ever) attended the sessions in the Village Roadshow Theatrette. They came from as far a field as Yarrawonga and Wodonga. There were also a number of public librarians and a large group of staff from Public Record Office Victoria.

Patricia Grimshaw of the University of Melbourne delivered the Don Grant Lecture on the topic ‘Family history and women’s history : critical intersections’. It was an engaging presentation on the sometimes hidden contribution of women to family history.

The event is truly collaborative and presented by the following organisations/institutions:

• The State Library of Victoria

• The Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

• The Public Record Office Victoria

• The National Archives of Australia (Victorian Office)

• The Victorian Association of Family History Organisations.

Feedback on the day was excellent: “Fanatastic – has given me so many more options to continue my family research.” And this : “As always well conducted, informative & gives me food for thought”.

Family History Feast formed part of National Family History Week 2009. Watch the State Library of Victoria website for details of Family History Feast 2010 to be held on Monday 2 August (subject to confirmation).

Annabel

Week 2 Wikis!

I believe that wikis have great potential for use in libraries and archives especially when researchers are given the opportunity to add their personal research information about collection material. A good example of this is the Public Record Office Victoria wikis e.g. Womens Suffrage petition and 1956 Olympics.

Annabel