The Second Annual code4libBC Event was held at SFU Harbour Centre from November 27 – 28. Organized by BC’s code4lib chapter, the two day unconference brought together library practitioners from around the province to discuss library technologies, including “current projects, tips and tricks, or hacks in the works.”
Langara Participation
Department Chair and Learning Commons Coordinator Joyce Wong delivered a lightning talk on “UX Tools & Techniques”as part of the event. Librarians Ryan Vernon (Coordinator, Technical Services) and Dan Slessor (Librarian, Communications) attended the conference and agreed to share their thoughts on their favourite presentations.
Ryan Vernon: Adapt, integrate, collaborate: Applying lessons from Battlestar Galactica to academic libraries / Gordon Coleman
- Talked about the gap between reality and an ideal system when it comes to acquisitions and serials management, and Cylons.
- There was a definite theme in this talk about the the way we link different and support systems with and workflows within libraries. This theme continued both in breakout groups, as well as in other talks, such as When campus IT comes knocking by Paul Joseph
How your library can REALLY protect free speech and anonymity: Expanding anonymous, uncensored internet access for library patrons / Scott Leslie
- There is a parallel we should draw between free access to the library, and free access to the internet. Patrons are not asked to prove their identity before entering a library and using its print resources, but this is not the case with library provided internet or wi-fi.
- Libraries shouldn’t only support privacy, but should also support privacy-supporting infrastructure
- Suggests that libraries can hold “privacy workshops” to educate clients about privacy and how to protect it.
Dan Slessor: Like Ryan, I was particularly intrigued by Scott Leslie’s talk on expanding anonymous and uncensored internet access for library patrons. Leslie’s lightning talk suggested that the library community is not doing enough to advocate for the intellectual freedom and privacy of library users – particularly regarding online activity. Leslie suggested that library advocacy groups (the “Freedom to Read Week” campaign was cited as an example) should expand their focus to further advocate for access to uncensored and anonymous internet access. Leslie suggested post-secondary institutions could support this vision by taking the Tor on Campus challenge.
I also enjoyed learning about the Hive Learning Community in Vancouver, as presented by Dethe Elza. The Hive Learning Community is a “community effort to bring together educators, technologists, mentors and organizations across the city to design innovative, self-led digital learning experiences for youth and marginalized groups.” The initiative is collaborative and incorporates partners from the education, private and non-profit sectors to engage youth with 21st century technologies. This model for collaborative digital learning could potentially be incorporated at the post-secondary level as well, particularly in a learning commons environment.