Open Access Week at QUT

Posted by David on 11 October, 2019

Guest blog by Professor Ginny Barbour, Director of the Australasian Open Access Strategy Group (AOASG) & Professor in the Division of Research and Innovation, QUT

As we head towards the end of October – we again turn our focus to a week dedicated to open access (OA). Now in its 11th year, International Open Access Week, 21-27 October, is a global, community-driven week of action aimed at opening up access to research. It has grown into a truly national and global celebration.

This year’s theme is “Open for whom? Equity in Open Knowledge.” As open access becomes increasingly the norm, the 2019 Open Access Week Advisory Committee poses the question, “Whose interests are being prioritized in the actions we take and in the platforms that we support? Whose voices are excluded? Are underrepresented groups included as full partners from the beginning? Are we supporting not only open access but also equitable participation in research communication?” Building upon last year’s theme, “Designing Equitable Foundations for Open Knowledge,” these questions will help us determine how emerging open systems for research will address inequities in the current system and ensure that we don’t unintentionally replicate and reinforce them.

There has been much discussion over the past year of open access news from Europe and elsewhere, and especially of Plan S. Open Access Week is a time to remind ourselves, however, that open access is not an end in itself; it is a means to an end – that of an equitable, efficient, and FAIR means of sharing scholarly information. For academics who publish openly the benefits are concrete. A better readership for open articles is not surprising, but the benefit of increased academic usage are also becoming clearer through more citations. Other benefits are of increased citations associated with posting of preprints and of data sharing. Critically, depositing in an OA repository such as QUT’s ePrints, is demonstrated to be the best way to boost citations. Furthermore, open articles are better connected into global systems for sharing information, which means that ultimately they can have wider societal impact. Depositing records and full text is the most important way that QUT researchers can comply with QUT’s open access policy and that of the two big Australian funders, ARC and NHMRC — all for free. But more than that, QUT’s repository allows anyone anywhere to access its research outputs.

QUT Library and others will be celebrating Open Access Week with a number of events. Once again we will bringing our popular Open Access Bike Tour to Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October. There will be OA giveaways, lucky dips, badges and more. Watch this short video of last year’s bike tour, and see below to find out when the Open Access Bike will be coming to a campus near you.

All are welcome to attend a webinar with an international focus on Monday 21 October, entitled Advancing Science in Indonesia: Current Global Research Practices. In addition to myself, the webinar features Professor Brian Nosek, the Executive Director of the Center for Open Science, Professor Simine Vazire from University of California, Davis and focuses on improving research practices in science.

On Wednesday 23 October we will be launching Hacky Hour at QUT: Skills for Open Research. Come along to The Pantry at 2:00pm and chat with an expert about skills for open research. Follow us on Twitter @GPHackyHour for details.

Join QUT IP & Innovation Research on Thursday 24 October for a thought-provoking symposium on Open Innovation. This free event, featuring speakers from a range of disciplines, will examine Open Education, Law, Culture, Open Cities, Additive Manufacturing, Agriculture, Robotics and more. Register here.

If you will be attending eResearch Australasia, be sure to come along to our session on Doing open access advocacy by stealth. Stephanie Bradbury, Manager Research Support Team, QUT Library, and I will be running this interactive workshop on Thursday 24 October from 11:40am-12:40pm.

Come along and get involved. For more details, follow @QUTLibrary on Twitter or email library.research@qut.edu.au.

Brisbane Writers Festival

Posted by David on 3 September, 2019

Celebrate the written word at this year’s Brisbane Writers Festival, 5-8 September.

Hosted by the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), and various public libraries around Brisbane, the BWF features an impressive program of panel discussions, workshops, performances, and meet-the-writer sessions.

It’s a great opportunity for readers of all persuasions–not to mention students in Creative Writing and related disciplines–to hear local and international writers read and discuss their work. The diverse program comprises novelists, poets, children’s authors, journalists, historians, philosophers, and at least one former Prime Minister.

This year’s line-up includes Brisbane-born Melissa Lucashenko, whose novel Too Much Lip won the 2019 Miles Franklin Award; British author Jasper Fforde, perhaps best known for his highly original novel The Eyre Affair; multiple Walkley Award-winning journalist Kerry O’Brien; and over 150 other writers.

For devotees of Young Adult literature and getting into things for free, the BWF is hosting Love YA, a full day of (free) events at Brisbane Square Library, Saturday 7th September. Meet notable Australian YA authors such as James Moloney, Randa Abdel-Fattah, and Will Kostakis. If you’re not familiar with their books, there’s a good selection in QUT Library’s Curriculum Collection.

The work of many other featured BWF writers can be found in the Library’s General Collection.

National Science Week and Robotronica

Posted by David on 12 August, 2019

From 10th to 18th August, science and technology take to the streets for National Science Week.

Established in 1997, this annual celebration of science and technology acknowledges the contributions of Australian scientists to the world, and encourages members of the general public to engage with science in all its forms.

There will be hundreds of nationwide events, including many free activities, talks, workshops, and live shows.

Free events include:

VR immersive experiences. Explore beneath the sea or beyond the stars simply by putting on a slightly odd pair of goggles.
Public lectures. Listen to astrophysicists, meteorologists, and other science luminaries explain the mysteries of the universe from a scientific standpoint.
Scinema International Science Film Festival. Watch science films from around the world, screening in various locations around Queensland.
Children’s activities. Introduce your kids to the joys of chemistry, Lego boats, and aeroelastic flutter bees.

And no celebration of science and technology would be complete without quite a few robots. Speaking of which, the Robotronica robotics and technology festival, coming hot on the heels of National Science Week, will take place on 18th August at QUT Gardens Point campus. QUT Library will be part of the action: if you’re keen to experience Virtual and Augmented Reality, the Library is the place to be. Drop in: it’s free!

NAIDOC Week 2019: Voice. Treaty. Truth.

Posted by David on 7 July, 2019

Sunday July 7th marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week, an annual week of nation-wide events and activities celebrating the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC Week takes its name from the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, formed in the 1990s to help increase awareness of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Each year, NAIDOC Week is built around a particular theme. The theme for 2019 is Voice. Treaty. Truth., the three key elements of reform called for in the Uluru Statement. An overview is available here.

If you’re looking for some NAIDOC-related things to do during the break, take a look at this year’s program of events. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture, and languages.

You might also like to explore QUT Library’s extensive collection of books, films, and other resources focusing on Australia’s indigenous communities. An excellent starting point is The Little Red Yellow and Black Book: An Introduction to Indigenous Australia.

Exams – Are you prepared?

Posted by David on 27 May, 2019

Exams will soon be upon us, and if you’re wondering how best to prepare (other than starting early), consider the following tips.

Research has shown that being in the right room at the right time on the right date significantly increases your chances of passing an exam. Remember to double-check these details. Also check which materials you are permitted to bring in.
Check your Blackboard site to see if your lecturer or tutor has provided any information regarding the content, duration, and/or format of your exam.
Make the most of any opportunity to practise. Again, consult Blackboard: your lecturer or tutor may have posted practice materials. Also check QUT Readings to see if there are any past exams available for your units.

Refer to QUT’s Exam Preparation page for advice on note-taking, managing your time, understanding different exam types (multiple choice, short answer, essay question, etc.), and more.
Take advantage of the Library’s extended opening hours. Gardens Point Library is open from 7am to 2am seven days a week until 21st June, and Kelvin Grove Library will be open 7am to 2am seven days a week from 3rd to 21st June.
See this helpful advice for managing exam-related stress. And remember that QUT Counselling Services are available to assist you further.

Best of luck from all of us at QUT Library! If you require any help, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Do you love the library? Or maybe you’ve never even used it before?

Posted by David on 29 April, 2019

QUT Library is keen to hear what you think about our services and spaces. All staff and students are invited to provide feedback via the Library Client Survey.

We really value your feedback: it helps us understand what’s working and what could be improved.

And as a big thank you for taking 10 minutes out to answer the survey, you go into the running to win one of three $150 gift cards! See here for terms & conditions.

To take the survey, click here.

A Celebration of Books… and Copyright!

Quote

Posted by David on 18 April, 2019

For those who love books (and who doesn’t?), 23 April is World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day, an annual UNESCO event promoting books, reading, publishing, and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.

World Book Day is a great time to rediscover the thrill of reading for pleasure, and QUT Library has plenty to choose from when it comes to recreational reading, including free access to collections of ebooks and audiobooks that can be downloaded to your smartphone or tablet.

When it comes to the slightly less fun but equally important issue of copyright, the Library’s Copyright Guide contains a lot of useful information. See, in particular, the section on copyright as it applies to study and research.

Finally, some World Book Day trivia: UNESCO chose 23 April because it’s a significant date in world literature. William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes (author of Don Quixote), and historian Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died on that date in the year 1616.

World Poetry Day 2019

Posted by David on 21 March, 2019

“Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar.” So said eighteenth-century English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. If Shelley were alive today, he would no doubt be gearing up for World Poetry Day, an annual global celebration of poetry in all its forms.

Declared by UNESCO in 1999, WPD aims to promote the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry; to support linguistic diversity through poetry; and above all to remind us that poetry is a living and vibrant mode of expression—as is evident from contemporary spoken-word forms such as rap and hip-hop, not to mention the popularity of poetry slams.

If you are looking to explore the world of poetry, QUT Library is an excellent resource. Our extensive selection of print and e-books has something for all tastes, from the ancient Homeric epic The Iliad to the works of contemporary poets including Queenslanders David Malouf, Ellen Van Neerven, and QUT Creative Writing lecturer Sarah Holland-Batt.

And check out the Library’s video streaming service, Kanopy, to see poets and poetry come to life on the screen: there are documentaries, filmed performances, and more!

Stay Cool on Australia Day

Posted by David on 24 January, 2019

The Australia Day holiday next Monday is the last public holiday before the academic year officially begins, and it’s going to be–as we say in Oz–a scorcher!

If you find the weather a little too warm for beaches and barbecues, and you’re keen to start preparing for Semester One, you’ll be happy to know that QUT Library (Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove branches) will be open for business from 9am to 5pm. Feel free to come in and use the computer labs, borrow a book, or maybe visit a HiQ service point for assistance with… pretty much anything!

If you are planning to stay at home this Australia Day, the Library’s wide selection of ebooks and online videos will keep you entertained while you relax in air-conditioned or fan-induced comfort. There’s plenty of Australian content to help you get into the spirit of our national day.

The official date of Australia Day is Saturday, January 26th. Head to Southbank that evening for the Australia Day Fireworks. No sunscreen required!

A Portrait of the Artist: Nick Earls on William Robinson

Posted by David on 19 November, 2018

Prolific Brisbane novelist and short-story writer Nick Earls has turned to non-fiction to celebrate one of Australia’s most significant living artists in William Robinson: A new perspective.

Commissioned by QUT’s William Robinson Gallery at Gardens Point Campus, Earls’ enlightening and often humorous chronicle of Robinson’s life and work comes in an attractive hardcover edition, available at the Gallery and at the QUT Bookshop.

William Robinson: A new perspective was launched in tandem with the Gallery’s currently showing Nature Imagined exhibition, featuring Robinson’s visionary renderings of the landscapes of South East Queensland.

For a more interactive experience,The Cube (Gardens Point Campus) is displaying selected Robinson landscapes digitised at high resolution, allowing you to zoom in on the details and gain insights into his techniques.

Want to learn more about William Robinson and his work? Keen to sample some of Nick Earls’ fiction? The QUT Library is an invaluable resource.