Aberystwyth Update: Thursday
Apr. 8th, 2006 08:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pandopLooking forward: Introduction to the Research School
This was actually a lot more useful than I thought it would be. Especially as I had by then decided to try for the April 2007 study school. I have a lot to think about in terms of research topics. I am certainly interested in Collection Management as an area of research, and there is the work project that ME has mentioned. So there are some real possibilities for the next year or so.
Collection Management
This was an excellent session, really interesting and useful. It is a shame this is only a 10 credit module, as I would like to go into this in a lot more detail - I wonder if I can incorporate this into my reasearch in some way?
I also think I may begin to resent the meetings that are held 3' behind my desk a little less, as I have picked up some really useful stuff (although I wouldn't want my line manager to hear that, as I am sure she would stop it somehow). I think I learned more in these two hours than I did in all the PIR sessions.
Principles of Information Retrival: Classification Practical
This was one of the sessions I had been most looking forward to before I came to Aber, but based on the previous sessions that had changed - and I was not pleasantly surprised. AW overran by 30 minutes (the whole of our break), all to go into more detail than most of the people in the room would ever need. I don't think this can even be put down to enthusiasm, as he was very disparaging about the Dewey system (although some of what we learnt did make me appreciate our system much more, as having complete control over your classification system seems to be a very good thing).
Principles of Information Retrival: Search Interfaces
What a waste of time. We were given a workbook to work through that we could have done anywhere - I *really* do not need to go all the way to Aberystwyth to look at Google! As AW gave us precious little guidance as to what we should get out of this session, I fail to see why we needed to have this session at all. I wasn't the only one who felt this way, as most of us left early (and we had started 15 mins early because he did agree to give us a break - after prompting from Micheal).
Guest Lecture: Dr Linda Stoddard - UN Library
I found this lecture both interesting and frustrating. Dr. Stoddard didn't seem to be a very confident speaker, nor could she work the powerpoint presentation properly, both of which seemed very odd for someone in her position. Much of the lecture was concerned with 'change' (shudder). The UN library needed to change, as it was no longer serving any useful purpose, and was in danger of closure. Dr. Stoddard was brought in as a 'change agent', and has been instrumental in changing the focus of the library from a traditional libary to an information management and provision service. The library is now in charge of the UN Intranet, and so considers one of their main functions to be the to facilitate communication within the UN. There was a lot of emphasis on assisting staff to manage their own information sources, and organising it on their PCs (which made it even more frustrating that she was so inept with the powerpoint presentation - HP had to work it for her).
The Pub Quiz
Our group didn't do too badly - we came 4/10, so I think we can hold our heads up - and much wine was consumed (including a rather excellent Jack Rabbit White Zinfandel). I think the poor barmaid was a little perturbed that a bunch of librarians (not *just* us, but all those at the quiz) managed to drink the student bar dry of all the wine - not just the boxes/tap wine, but all the bottles as well. Our prize was yet another bottle of wine, but the rest of the team left at this point, leavingninox and me to deal with the wine - which we did - leading to a very late night (we left the pub at 1am, and stayed talking until 2.30am or so), which would have been been even later if we could have got a taxi to take us to the rather dubiously named 'Pier Pressure'. It was suggested that we try for the Rock Night next year
This was actually a lot more useful than I thought it would be. Especially as I had by then decided to try for the April 2007 study school. I have a lot to think about in terms of research topics. I am certainly interested in Collection Management as an area of research, and there is the work project that ME has mentioned. So there are some real possibilities for the next year or so.
Collection Management
This was an excellent session, really interesting and useful. It is a shame this is only a 10 credit module, as I would like to go into this in a lot more detail - I wonder if I can incorporate this into my reasearch in some way?
I also think I may begin to resent the meetings that are held 3' behind my desk a little less, as I have picked up some really useful stuff (although I wouldn't want my line manager to hear that, as I am sure she would stop it somehow). I think I learned more in these two hours than I did in all the PIR sessions.
Principles of Information Retrival: Classification Practical
This was one of the sessions I had been most looking forward to before I came to Aber, but based on the previous sessions that had changed - and I was not pleasantly surprised. AW overran by 30 minutes (the whole of our break), all to go into more detail than most of the people in the room would ever need. I don't think this can even be put down to enthusiasm, as he was very disparaging about the Dewey system (although some of what we learnt did make me appreciate our system much more, as having complete control over your classification system seems to be a very good thing).
Principles of Information Retrival: Search Interfaces
What a waste of time. We were given a workbook to work through that we could have done anywhere - I *really* do not need to go all the way to Aberystwyth to look at Google! As AW gave us precious little guidance as to what we should get out of this session, I fail to see why we needed to have this session at all. I wasn't the only one who felt this way, as most of us left early (and we had started 15 mins early because he did agree to give us a break - after prompting from Micheal).
Guest Lecture: Dr Linda Stoddard - UN Library
I found this lecture both interesting and frustrating. Dr. Stoddard didn't seem to be a very confident speaker, nor could she work the powerpoint presentation properly, both of which seemed very odd for someone in her position. Much of the lecture was concerned with 'change' (shudder). The UN library needed to change, as it was no longer serving any useful purpose, and was in danger of closure. Dr. Stoddard was brought in as a 'change agent', and has been instrumental in changing the focus of the library from a traditional libary to an information management and provision service. The library is now in charge of the UN Intranet, and so considers one of their main functions to be the to facilitate communication within the UN. There was a lot of emphasis on assisting staff to manage their own information sources, and organising it on their PCs (which made it even more frustrating that she was so inept with the powerpoint presentation - HP had to work it for her).
The Pub Quiz
Our group didn't do too badly - we came 4/10, so I think we can hold our heads up - and much wine was consumed (including a rather excellent Jack Rabbit White Zinfandel). I think the poor barmaid was a little perturbed that a bunch of librarians (not *just* us, but all those at the quiz) managed to drink the student bar dry of all the wine - not just the boxes/tap wine, but all the bottles as well. Our prize was yet another bottle of wine, but the rest of the team left at this point, leaving
ninox and me to deal with the wine - which we did - leading to a very late night (we left the pub at 1am, and stayed talking until 2.30am or so), which would have been been even later if we could have got a taxi to take us to the rather dubiously named 'Pier Pressure'. It was suggested that we try for the Rock Night next year ![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-04-09 12:35 pm (UTC)I know a system that usurps Dewey is the holy grail of the information profession. I am still of the opinion it should be in the programmers realm, and therefore releasing more time for the alcoholic nature of librarians. Thanks for remembering the Zinfs name. Maybe a while before I try it though.
no subject
Date: 2006-04-09 12:39 pm (UTC)I don't know if our systems is better then Dewey or not, but having complete control is a real advantage.
I know the feeling about the Zinf, I am certainly off the drinkies for a while. It is so impressive we drank the bar dry though
no subject
Date: 2006-04-09 05:04 pm (UTC)I have no will power - now half way through report and giving up to go to pub! Need to learn to behave.
no subject
Date: 2006-04-09 05:05 pm (UTC)