Online Resources Blog (ORB)

As e-books continue to gain in popularity, with Amazon predicting that they will overtake paperbacks by the end of 2011, this year sees the 10th anniversary of the SLIC/SCURL/MmITS/SALCTG annual e-books conference.

“Working in a digital age” will take place on 21st October at the Playfair Library in Edinburgh.  The programme includes presentations on:

- the strategic landscape for ebooks and libraries
- digital literacy
- the Google generation
- mobile learning
- the implications of the Digital Economy Act 2010
- e-procurement

The full programme will be available shortly.  For futher information (including booking details) visit the SLIC website.

A new report from JISC Collections provides comprehensive information about the current e-book landscape in FE colleges and explores a range of potential business models for improved e-book provision.  Migrating to e in UK further education provides an insight into current e-book acquisition and delivery in FE colleges and considers potential steps that could be taken to encourage wider use of e-books in FE.

A new resource aimed at staff with a responsibility for bibliographic data has been made available via the JISC Legal website.  Through a 5-step process, the toolkit outlines the main issues to consider when conducting a compliance audit, highlighting legal areas such as IPR and contract law.   The resource also provides useful contextual information, a glossary and a list of top ten actions for staff working in this area.

Today sees the launch of JorumOpen, a new collection from Jorum offering free and open access to resources licensed under Creative Commons.  To explore this new service, visit the Jorum website.  Further information is also available via the Jorum blog.

Members of the Web 2.0 forum for learning resources staff met last week at the Edinburgh Campus of Jewel & Esk College.

Sam Stirling from Dundee College kicked off the event by describing how the library has used comic book software to develop positive learning materials in partnership with students.  Nicola Buddo (Glasgow Metropolitan College) then provided an overview of Box of Broadcasts - a new web-based off-air recording and video archive service from the BBC.  A practical session from Carol Walker on QR codes followed, generating much discussion about their potential use in libraries - to find out more about QR codes visit Carol’s blog.  The final part of the day involved a tour of Jewel & Esk College library, including a demonstration of their successful self-service laptop station.

Thanks to the efforts of the hosts and speakers, an informative and fun-filled afternoon was had by all.