WLIC 2010 - Open access to knowledge - promoting sustainable progress IFLA WLIC 2010

IFLA WLIC 2010
Gothenburg, Sweden
10-15 August 2010
Asia & Oceania Section
Theme: "Open access to knowledge - promoting sustainable progress"
The Asia-Oceania Open Session in Gothenburg, Sweden focuses on social networking in libraries and other information organisations in Asia-Oceania.
The concept of a social network can be defined in different ways, and papers for this session can be based on many understandings of the concept. For example, a social network can be defined as an informal group composed of family, neighbours, friends or associates, who meet or interact to achieve common social, economic, or political goals. More recently the meaning of a social network has become linked to the Internet and Web 2.0, and a social network is commonly understood to be a group of individuals or organisations communicating online to share ideas, experiences and information on a subject of common interest. A critical component of social networks is that they promote the sharing of knowledge openly to promote sustainable progress for the group and its members.
Libraries and other information organisations have long supported social networks in their communities - for example, social networks for new mothers, for the elderly, and for recently arrived immigrants. Today, libraries of all types continue to support traditional social networks, and many libraries have also adopted online presences using social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter to encourage open dialogue with and among members of their communities.
Dedicated to the theme, '"Open access to knowledge - promoting sustainable progress" this session therefore aims to highlight how libraries and other information organisations in Asia-Oceania support social networks in their communities - either traditional social networks or online social networks - or how libraries themselves are employing online social networking tools to promote open access to knowledge and knowledge creation with a view to promoting sustainable progress within their communities.
Suggested topics for this session include, but are not limited to, the following:
Promoting the use of, or creation of, traditional or online social networks by minority or disadvantaged groups within the library's user community to help these groups improve their social, political, cultural or economic life.
Exploring the use of social networking tools to encourage the addition of user-created metadata to describe and improve access to information resources in libraries and information organisations for members of the community.
Understanding how libraries and information organisations are using social networking tools to engage with client groups in order to obtain a better understanding of their information needs.
Demonstrating how librarians and information professionals are embracing social networking tools to share ideas, experiences and knowledge to improve their services and resources.
Showing how libraries can or do contribute to the work of other organisations (e.g., schools, government departments, private companies) through engagement with social networking tools.
Submissions
The deadline for submitting a detailed abstract (500 words) and full author details is 15 December 2009. Selection of papers is based on the abstract, and presenters will be notified by mid-February 2010 at the latest whether they have been successful
The full paper is due on 1 May 2010 and must be an original submission not presented or published elsewhere
Both abstracts and full papers should be submitted as a MS Word file by e-mail. Fax or post should be used only as a last resort
Papers should be of 20 pages maximum, double spaced
Papers should be in English with an abstract, and the presenter (who need not be the author) must be fluent in English
20 minutes will be allowed for a summary delivery of the paper in the Conference; the full written paper is not to be read
The author(s) should indicate his/her personal full contact details and include a brief biographical note with the paper. Also, a digital photograph would be useful.
Selection
Full abstracts (500 words) should be prepared following the template provided below. Each abstract will be blind reviewed by members of the Regional Standing Committee for Asia and Oceania.
Abbreviated abstracts or late submissions will not be considered.
Purpose of this paper What are the reason(s) for writing the paper (or the aims of the research)?
Design/methodology/approach How are the objectives achieved? Include the main method(s) used for the study. What is the approach to the topic, and what is the theoretical or subject scope of the paper?
Findings What was found in the course of the work? This will refer to analysis, discussion, or results.
Research limitations/implications (if applicable) If research is reported on in the paper, this section must be completed and should include suggestions for future research and any identified limitations in the research process.
Practical implications (if applicable) What outcomes and implications for practice, applications and consequences are identified? All papers should have practical applications. What changes to practice might be made as a result of this research/paper?
What is original/value of paper What is new in the paper? State the value of the paper and to whom.

Please send your abstract by 15 December 2009 to:
Dr Dan Dorner, RSCAO Chair
Email: dan.dorner-AT-vuw.ac.nz
OR
Mrs Tan Keat Fong, RSCAO Regional Manager
Email: keatfong-AT-nlb.gov.sg