Google Maps

We are half way through creating a Google Map which shows all the eLGAR libraries. This map will show the location of each eLGAR library and also have brief descriptions of each library. A standard tool for calculating distances is also included.

Having an eLGAR map is useful as a visual aid, as a location guide, and indeed, can even be incorporated into the library websites to show library locations!

Until the map is complete, it will only be accessible to those who log in with the eLGAR account. If you are interested in viewing the eLGAR Google map, please contact Prateek for the account name and password.

SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint is the preferred software for the eLGAR Collaborative workspace. A trial download was done to allow us to preview the features of SharePoint. That was successful and now ITC are doing the detailed design. We are currently finalizing details on how staff from across the 5 councils will access SharePoint, which will be hosted on the eLGAR network. Once that is finalized, the implementation process will begin.

QuickFact: The Shared Logon Government Service uses v2.0 of SharePoint. The eLGAR Workspace however will use the improved, feature-rich SharePoint v3.0.

Comments/suggestions/inquiries about SharePoint and the workspace are welcome.

Expressions of interest are also sought from anyone who wants to contribute to the SharePoint implementation, by providing assistance in the following areas:

• Critiquing the user interface
• Cleanup of old content
• Reviewing use cases

If you are interested, then please contact Prateek.

Email Us

The eLGAR team now have new email addresses. We are now firstname.lastname@elgar.govt.nz

The old addresses will still get to us, but the new ones are much quicker to type.

Contributions

Anyone can submit something for inclusion in the Blog, even if it's just a link to something of interest.

Rivkah Sass - Visiting American Library Speaker

Welcome all to the eLGAR - 3M Innovation Award visit of American guest conference speaker Rivkah Sass to Auckland.

Rivkah is the dynamic Director of the Omaha Public Library, noted for risk-taking when named by the Library Journal as Librarian of the Year 2006. A great believer in technology where it combines to improve service to customers and make the life of a librarian easier, she is an advocate for progress. Rivkah is passionate about connecting with our communities to form strong partnerships and she is an energetic campaigner promoting libraries in a competitive world.

eLGAR is using prize money from the 3M Innovation Award to bring you five opportunities to attend a talk by this international guest. All staff are welcome and those applying for LIANZA Professional Registration may wish to include this as part of their continued update of professional knowledge.

Wednesday 2 April Orewa Community Centre, Moana Court, Orewa, 11.30am-1.00pm
Wednesday 2 April Takapuna Library, The Strand, Takapuna, 5.30-7.00pm
Thursday 3 April Howick Little Theatre, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, 11.00am-12.30pm
Thursday 3 April Lecture Theatre 510-B007, UNITEC Campus, Ratanui St, Henderson, 5.30-7.00pm
Friday 4 April Waitemata Conference Room, Auckland Central Library, Lorne St, 10.30am-12.00pm

In order not to miss out on this opportunity RSVP to your local contact:
Kris Wehipeihana - Rodney
Myrna Contreras - North Shore
Rachael Stevens - Manukau
Winnie Noronha d'Costa - Waitakere
Louise Anderson - Auckland

Library Thing update

We can now show you LibraryThing *partially* implemented for the eLGAR catalogue: most book titles in the eLGAR test catalogue now display LibraryThing tags.
Try it out here: Test OPAC

Please note: linking back from same-tagged titles to our catalogue is currently *not scoped* the title will be somewhere in eLGAR but not ncessarily at "your" library.
We are looking at several options and welcome your comments
Cheeriosarah

OPAC Enhancement with LibraryThing

We have jumped a few places up the queue at LibraryThing, thanks to the efforts of Sonya.

LibraryThing is a folksonomy i.e. a social cataloguing application that allows people to store and share their "personal" book lists. To find out more, you can either visit the LibraryThing website or read this informative article on Wikipedia.

We should have the preliminary views available on test for interested people to see. Sarah has sent a dataset to LTFL (LibraryThing for Libraries), and Stuart has incorporated the bits of code in the test OPAC, so we're ready to go once our file has been processed.

Assistance Required

We are looking for assistance with the Millennium Training Strategy and the eCommerce Implementation projects. We are also trying a new method of communicating.

Documents outlining what is required and how you can assist are at:
- ECommerce Project Comms
- ECommerce Project Training
- Training Review Strategy Team

If you would like to assist in either of these areas, please contact Hamish at:
hamish.mcdonald@aucklandcity.govt.nz

I would love some feedback, or whether you have any suggestions for how we communciate.

(Original Post by Hamish)

Year Zero

Welcome to the beginning of the new eLGAR way.

The idea behind this blog is to have a central point for distribution of eLGAR Team material, so that you can see in one place where we are with Project Teams and what inputs are being sought.

There will be links to Expressions of Interest documents and Terms of Reference for new projects and teams. Your comments are welcomed.

It may not be the most exciting page in the blogosphere, but it will help us get the job done.