AALL Annual Meeting and Conference

Target Audience: Information technology librarians, technical services librarians, administrators interested in the next generation library management system

Learning Outcomes:
1. Participants will identify at least three advantages and disadvantages of cloud-based solutions and three types of cloud computing- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)-to lower the total cost of ownership.
2. Participants will be able to evaluate the library management functionality in OCLC's Web-Scale Management Services (WMS), a cloud computing interface, and the efficiency of OCLC's WorldCat Grid Services.

Libraries are on the forefront of migrating their data and services to the "cloud." Cloud computing is emerging as a key way for libraries to implement new services. Presenters will discuss how cloud computing can be implemented to leverage library end-user satisfaction and build the necessary interoperability. OCLC member institutions have been contributing to the idea of cloud computing through the centralized MAchine Readable Cataloging (MARC) records services. Now, OCLC's WMS promises less complexity in its library management system to create a more independent discovery and delivery platform. Panelists will also give a critical analysis on the trend of proliferated cloud computing services to demystify questions about privacy, security, and reliability that cloud computing often raises.

Target Audience: Law librarians interested in gaining a further understanding of THOMAS

Learning Outcomes:
1. Participants will be able to articulate a user-centered design business model.
2. Participants will be able to name several ways that THOMAS can be improved in the near future.

THOMAS.gov, the legislative information database from the Law Library of Congress, was created in 1995. It is regarded as the "go to" place for bills, laws, Congressional Record, etc. This program will focus on the recent changes to THOMAS, many of which stem from user-generated feedback such as permanent links and integrated social media. The program will also cover how these changes better the user experience and make reference transactions using THOMAS easier. A member of the Library of Congress Information Technology Services Division will explain the challenges and requirements of revamping THOMAS around a user-centered design. The Law Library of Congress would like feedback and input from the participants on the next generation of THOMAS.

The first half of this program will be devoted to examining some of the political, regulatory, and technological challenges involved in implementing the FCC's National Broadband Plan. The second half will be devoted to a real-time, hands-on broadband demonstration examining FCC tools to measure and/or educate users regarding broadband access. Attendees are encouraged to participate using their laptops, cell phones, and any other devices capable of browsing the web.

Target Audience: All librarians engaged in the licensing of online materials

Learning Outcomes:
1. Participants will be able to identify and list the key provisions in license agreements for online materials and apply the provisions to the library and patrons' use of the licensed material.
2. Participants will be able to analyze and demonstrate knowledge of the major terms and conditions of an electronic license and with industry standards to library directors, financial officers, and vendors.

Librarians are regularly faced with reviewing and approving license agreements for the acquisition of online information sources. Lack of uniformity among publisher agreements can confuse the most-seasoned librarian and put the library at risk should a completed contract not meet expectations. In this session, a panel of experts will conduct a detailed review of the elements of a license agreement, including language restrictions and their meaning, payment terms, authorized users and uses, performance obligations, indemnification provisions, and definition of key terms. Panelists will also summarize relevant provisions of the Principles for Licensing Electronic Resources and the AALL Guide to Fair Business Practices.

Target Audience: Librarians who implement web technologies or wish to communicate effectively with their IT department about their implementation

Learning Outcomes:
1. Participants will be able to identify the skills and tools needed to begin using various programming languages.
2. Participants will be able to select possible applications for their library, based on the programming languages presented.

Programming languages and the web tools they create permeate today’s library. Daily, librarians make decisions about the tools they offer patrons online. They consult with IT staff about implementing online tools, but they may not have a realistic idea of what they’re requesting. Most librarians know a little, want to know more, and are willing to self-educate—but may not know where to start. This program will provide an overview of several programming languages that are currently being used by libraries. Panelists will discuss how they use these languages to create online tools for patrons, design and display effective web pages, and manipulate cataloging records.

Target Audience: Technical services librarians, administrators

Learning Outcomes:
1. Participants will be able to analyze the potential workflow impacts of implementing RDA, based upon the experiences of RDA testing.
2. Participants will be able to explain how the RDA Toolkit is structured and how to use it effectively.

Law catalogers who participated in the RDA testing process during the fall of 2010 will describe their experiences. Topics will include: the testing process, overall impressions of RDA, and use of the online RDA Toolkit. The presenters will specifically compare using the online RDA Toolkit with using printed AACR2 guidelines for cataloging library materials. Participants will learn how RDA affected library workflow and productivity in the test libraries. (Please note that this program is NOT a training session on RDA itself.)