2015 code4libBC November Unconference

Digital libraries and archives are on library, archive and museum practitioner's minds these days. As cultural institutions make increased efforts to expose their special and local collections, questions of best practices, digital object management and online access are ripe for discussion and collaboration. Conversations are already underway about the idea of a BC provincial digital library and the code4libBC gang thought it would be a great idea to focus this year’s unconference event on all things related to digital libraries and archives. Some of the themes we’re interested in exploring include:

• conceptualizing what we mean by "digital libraries"
• how to incorporate archives and museums into the concept
• understanding users, organizational contexts, and digitization best practices and workflows
• planning the development of digital libraries and archives
• leveraging the technologies that power them
• extending projects beyond single institutions, and
• increasing their relevance by charting new directions.

Like in previous years, we’re looking for participants to join us in 2 days of lightning talks and breakout sessions related to digital libraries and archives. Some suggestions include:

• user experience/user interfaces
• search and discovery technologies
• metadata creation/aggregation/reuse
• technologies and infrastructure
• organizational issues
• case and innovation studies highlighting specific services
• digital preservation
• the sustainability of digital libraries.

When: November 26 and 27, 2015

Where: UBC Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, Dodson Room

What: It’s a 2 day unconference! A participant-driven meeting featuring lightning talks in the mornings, breakout sessions in the afternoons, with coffee, tea and snacks provided. Lightning talks are brief presentations which are typically 5-10 minutes in length (15 minutes is the maximum) on topics related to library technologies: current projects, tips and tricks, or hacks in the works. Breakout sessions is an opportunity to bring participants together in an ad hoc fashion for a short, yet sustained period of problem solving, software development and fun. In advance of the event, we will gather project ideas in a form available through our wiki and registration pages. Each afternoon the code4libBC participants will review and discuss the proposals, break into groups, and work on some of the projects.

Who: A diverse and open community of library developers and non-developers engaging in effective, collaborative problem-solving through technology.Anyone from the library community who is interested in library technologies are welcome to join and participate, regardless of their department or background: systems and IT, public services, circulation, cataloguing and technical services, archives, digitization and preservation. All are welcome to help set the agenda, define the outcomes and develop the deliverables!

Why: Why not? code4libBC is a group of dynamic library technology practitioners throughout the province who want to build new relationships as much as develop new software solutions to problems.

Hashtag: #c4lbc

Code of Conduct: As a Code4Lib event, we adhere to the Code4Lib Code of Conduct, which seeks to provide a welcoming, harassment-free environment. Please see the Code of Conduct for further details.

Organizers: Thanks to all our organizers

• Paul Joseph (Chair)
• Caroline Daniels
• Cynthia Ng
• Gordon Coleman
• Jeff Davis
• Mark Jordan
• Shirley Lew
• Tamarack Hockin

Special thanks to the BC Libraries Cooperative for assisting the organizing group with administrative duties.

Lightning Talk Proposals and Breakout Suggestions: https://goo.gl/A9IkSf

Schedule: COMING SOON