9th Annual Atmospheric Science Librarians International Conference
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| Links to the recorded presentations are available at the AMS Conference site. | |
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
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| 8:30am | Registration and Coffee |
| 8:55am | Welcome Address and Introductions Madeleine Needles, ASLI Chair, 2006 |
| 9:00am | Session 1 – Librarians and Information-seeking Behavior Moderator: Madeleine Needles1.1 ASLI Roundtable discussion ASLI members and attendees will describe their libraries and unique collections |
| 9:45am | 1.2 What an Environmental Scan and Content Analysis Tells Us about the Current and Future Direction of Library and Information Studies Education Edwin-Michael Cortez, Ph.D., Director and Professor, University of Tennessee School of Information Sciences, Knoxville, TN (Invited Speaker)This paper presents the result of an environmental scan/content analysis study that examines the current and future state of library and information studies (LIS) education in the United States. The paper discusses content and delivery of curricula, demographics of students and faculty, technology trends, and issues of higher education as they impact LIS educational programs, including accreditation. Three recognized patterns provide the framework for the analysis. The first pattern is that of user self-service and how users desire to parse out information as it is needed, when it is needed. The second pattern is that of disaggregating or distilling of information where users rely on the smallest publishable unit of information. The third pattern is that of collaboration that happens simply because it is more effective to do things when people connect, when technologies connect, and when economies connect.Notes from the presentation provided by ASLI Secretary, Jean Phillips: Dr. Cortez discussed the current state of library and information studies education, suggesting that the sky is not falling and that library education is thriving, albeit changing. While cataloging may not always be called cataloging (e.g. it may be called “organization of information” which may cover many standards) and reference services might be called “information seeking behaviors and services” it does not mean education in the field is failing. It may mean that programs are changing to encompass broader needs.The information we provide needs to be able to be pulled apart and used in many different ways Like Google, library education and information services delivery, must focus on the user, do it well, strive to be faster rather than slower. We must acknowledge the user’s expectation: users see little difference between print and other media, they want information fast, sometimes convenience trumps quality, they are used to multitasking, and to the user, content and technology are inseparable. We must be ready to deliver information across all formats and deliver it to the user’s tool of choice. Reference services should be designed for how users use How should librarians be educated? In the social justice model, with access to information for all? The end-user generation has given librarians new roles as developers of user-centered services. We must understand technology and its place, understand organizational patterns, and embrace diversity. We need to examine how we add value to and cultivate support for our programs. Do we focus all conversations about the library so that we talk about its place? Have we done needs assessments for our programs? Do we understand basic marketing concepts? Have we preserved the professional ethic of service and determined what must be retained and what must be changed in the educational process? |
| 10:15am | Break |
| 10:30am | Session 2 – Digitization and Access Moderator:Gene Major2.1 How Data in Library Holdings Can Be Used to Improve Climate Databases Joey Comeaux, UCAR, Boulder, CO (Invited Speaker)Global climate change studies often rely on high quality long-term meteorological and oceanographic observed data. In many cases these observations exist only on hard copy or microfiche where they cannot be effectively combined with other digital data and easily used for research. We herein describe the elements of a process that will identify unique data not currently in digital form and which could potentially lead to the digitization and rescue of historical records from deteriorating media. The data archive teams at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) have large observation collections and these teams can determine, by comparison and inventories, if a non-digital data source is unique. After unique data has been documented and the value assessed, collaborative projects can potentially be started where the data are digitized as part of the Climate Database Modernization Program (CDMP) at NCDC. We are interested in learning more about the data holdings in the library community and fostering activities to enhance the digital data archives at NCAR and NCDC. |
| 10:50am | 2.2 Where’s the Data? Finding Atmospheric Data Sets for Research Gene Major, Global Change Master Directory, SSAI, Lanham, MDAtmospheric science librarians require access to many tools to assist patrons in their research. There are databases for locating journal articles, dissertation theses, patents, gray literature, etc. However, resources for finding available data sets are not as prevalent. Authors will rarely mention data sets used in their research papers and searching the internet may not find the relevant data sets. Outside of the “invisible college”, where do researchers find data that may already exist? NASA’s Global Change Master Directory (GCMD), a web-based information system for global change research, provides the tools to locate data sets by selecting keywords. This presentation will demonstrate some of the features of the GCMD including search and retrieval of data set information, direct access to data sets, controlled vocabularies, and tools to create your own metadata for specialized data set collections held at research libraries. |
| 11:10am | 2.3 NCDC Publications – Where and How? Linda Preston, National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NCThe National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) as publisher offers many current and historical titles of value to the nation and the world. Its publishing has evolved allowing for various types of NCDC access: (1) free data: a)Data and Products link: Free Data; b)Personal Name Bibliography; and c)WSSRD, an interim database of just-scanned older print documents; (2) data services that are complicated enough to require the assistance of NCDC customer service meteorologists and meteorological technicians which may or may not require recovery costs; and (3) data from NCDC’s online store which require recovery costs. Have you found use for NCDC resources and do you feel comfortable finding your way around them? Access through the above sources will be demonstrated online, among others. |
| 11:30am | 2.4 Alternative Resources for Meteorological Research Linda Musser, Librarian, Penn State University, PAAtmospheric science libraries are valuable to patrons for several reasons; they provide access to specialized tools such as “Meteorological and Geoastrophysical Abstracts (MGA)”; they contain high concentrations of relevant works such as “WMO publications”; and they are managed by professionals with extensive knowledge of atmospheric science resources as well as other tools of librarianship. It is via this last aspect; the knowledge and awareness of non-meteorological resources; that atmospheric science librarians can sometimes provide the most assistance to our users. This talk will highlight some non-meteorological and non-scientific resources that can be useful in meteorological research. |
| 11:50am | 2.5 Market Your Library with a BLOG James LaMee, Reference Librarian, Belmont Abbey College, NC (Invited Speaker)Why and how might your library use a weblog to promote your services and communicate with your users. We will examine possible reasons for a blog, the basic planning process, and a brief overview of blog software and hosting choices.Notes from the presentation provided by ASLI Secretary, Jean Phillips: Lecture based on the article: Market Your Library with a Blog, Associates, v.12, no.1, July 2005. “Blogs are a natural evolution in marketing and public relations for any library and an effective means of extending the reach of library instruction.” (LaMee) Content management software is referenced, including such packages as Blogger, Greymatter, Typepad and others. |
| 12:10pm | 2.6 To BLOG or not to BLOG Brian Voss, Librarian, NOAA Seattle Regional Library, WAIn 2005, the NOAA Seattle Library selected and implemented the blog software, Pivot, to enhance the existing html, email and print-based library news services. This presentation covers the technical considerations of implementing a blog software package on a local server, the effort saved and invested with the service, and the potential benefit to the end user in a mid-sized government research library setting. |
| 12:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:30pm | Session 3 – The Weather and its Aftermath Moderator: Susan Tarbell 3.1 Season on Edge- The Historic 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season Dr. Christopher C. Hennon, Assistant Professor, UNCA, (formerly of the National Hurricane Center), Asheville, NCThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season set records on many levels, including the most tropical cyclone formations, most tropical storms, most hurricanes, strongest hurricane (Wilma), and the most damaging and third most deadly storm in our nation’s history (Katrina). Although the specifics as to why the season was hyperactive are still to be determined, an active season was predicted before the season began on June 1. This presentation will reflect on the 2005 season and place it in historical context. In addition, four storms (Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Wilma) will be examined in more detail, including their interesting lifecycles and how well they were forecast by the National Hurricane Center. Finally, the possibility that some aspects of the season may have been enhanced by global warming will be discussed. |
| 2:00pm | 3.2 Air Force Meteorologist in Afghanistan Lt. Col. Ann Gravier, Air Force Combat Climatology Center, Asheville, NC.Air Force meteorologists play a key role in a broad range of military operations, from planning to execution to post-operations analysis. Lt Col Gravier will discuss the varied role of Air Force Meteorologists in forward deployed operations. She will draw upon her experiences in a seventeen year career, including deployments to Egypt, Uganda, and most recently in Afghanistan. |
| 2:30pm | Break |
| 2:45pm | Session 4 – Anniversary Years Moderator: Maria A. Latyszewskyj4.1 50th Anniversary of the Collaboration Between the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Evelyn M. Poole-Kober, NERL-ASMD Library, USEPA, Research Triangle Park, NCThe NOAA Atmospheric Sciences Modeling Division (ASMD) celebrated its Golden Jubilee in September 2005. Established in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1955 to provide research and technical assistance to the Public Health Service relating to air pollution control. The division moved to Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, in 1969 to provide support to the National Air Pollution Control Administration. This paper focuses on 50 years of air quality research and application by ASMD in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. |
| 3:05pm | 4.2 International Polar Year (IPY) – History of the IPY Judie Triplehorn, Keith B. Mather Library, Geophysical Institute, International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks, AKThe Arctic and Antarctic are the centerpieces for global change research and will be the areas of most dramatic impact. Every fifty years, the science community has taken an in-depth study of these polar regions. The fourth of these International Polar Years will be coming up in 2007-2008 with global change as one of its focal points.Atmospheric science librarians will be concerned about retrieving historical information for comparison studies as well as current information on changing patterns in the Arctic and Antarctic. The librarians’ challenge will be to locate previous scientific studies as well as to collect and preserve current research for the fifth and future IPY programs. To accomplish this overview, the paper will be divided into three parts: (1) historical review of the publications and bibliographies of the previous International Polar Years 1882-83, 1932-33, 1956-57 (International Geophysical Year); (2) the current status of IPY organizations and projects for 2007-2008; and (3) the development of international bibliographic products which will index both electronic and print publications resulting from IPY research projects. |
| 3:25pm | 4.3 Imaging Project and Bibliography of IPY Material Doria Grimes, Librarian, NOAA Central Library, Silver Spring, MDTo assist planners and participants of the Fourth International Polar Year in 2007, NOAA Central Library staff imaged and compiled an online bibliography with links to polar exploration and related resources from its historical collections. The First International Polar Year was in 1882-1883 which fostered a number of significant arctic expeditions such as the Greely Arctic Expedition from 1881-1884, the cruise of the revenue marine steamer Corwin in 1884-1885, and the Norwegian “Fram” Expedition in 1898-1902. This resource is a multimedia collection of full text, digital videos, online cruise data and Web resources. |
| 3:45pm | Sessions End for the Day |
| 4:30pm | ASLI’s Choice Book Awards In book signing area next to AMS Resource Center |
| 6:30pm | Annual ASLI Dinner Location to be announced, sponsored by Cambridge Scientific Abstracts |
Thursday, February 2, 2006
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| 8:45am | Coffee |
| 9:00am | Session 5 – World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
WMO Products – Their Use – Panel Discussion |
| 10:15am | Break |
| 10:30am | Session 6 – AMS Publishing and Products Updates Moderator: Jinny Nathans6.1 Welcome address Keith Seitter, Director, American Meteorological Society, Boston, MA |
| 10:40am | 6.2 AMS Publishing/BAMS Update Ken Heideman, Director of Publications, AMS and Jeff Rosenfeld, Editor, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS), AMS, Boston, MA |
| 11:00am | 6.3 Meteorological and Geoastrophysical Abstracts Michael Miyazaki, Marketing Manager, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts |
| 11:20am | 6.4 Vendor Updates |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | 6.5 Vendor updates continued |
| 2:30pm | Break |
| 2:45pm | 6.6 Vendor updates continued |
| 3:30pm | Session 7 – ASLI Business Meeting Moderator: Madeleine Needles |
| 5:00pm | ASLI Sessions end for the day |
Friday, February 3, 2006
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| 8:30am-4:30pm | Annual ASLI Field Trip Visit the libraries of CNN, Georgia Tech, and the EPA in Atlanta. Please join us by making a reservation with Judie Triplehorn 907-474-7512 or at gilibrary@gi.alaska.edu. |
