Theme
Theme for BOBCATSSS 2017 is
improving quality of life through information
Since 1993, BOBCATSSS conferences have been used to build a better world.
In 2017, this tradition will continue with the theme “Improving Quality of Life through Information”.
This theme includes three topics: Libraries, Information, and Interactive media.
Libraries
Library plays an important role in the lives of its users. Today, it is one of the few remaining arenas where people from every corner of the society can meet. Accordingly, the ongoing flow of refugees and migrants have shed light on the public library’s role as an arena of integration – where people independent of their cultural backgrounds can socialise and develop their language skills. Libraries can educate people when it comes to different types of information that could have an important impact on people’s health and self-awareness. Literature as a therapeutic medium can help boost reader’s self-awareness and introspection, which in turn can help strengthen the reader’s identity and give the reader new perspectives on life.
THE TOPIC “LIBRARIES” COVERS
LIBRARIES AND OTHER PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS
- Information variety,
- information retrieval,
- sharing information,
- build awareness,
- relating existing information.
LIBRARIES AS A PLACE OF EDUCATION
- Information types, impact, health,
- literacy, self-awareness,
- information expertise,
- important topics, community,
- qualified information,
- cooperation with other organization,
- non profit, research centres.
BIBLIOTHERAPY
- Health issues, therapeutic,
- self-awareness, introspection,
- identity, new perspectives,
- tailoring services, user needs.
LIBRARIES AS THE THIRD SPACE
- Age gap, religion, education,
- multicultural, social groups,
- third space, social affiliations,
- refugees, migrants, integration,
- cultural background, socialise,
- language, meeting place.
Information
New kinds of information sources and related applications have become an essential part of our everyday life. We are virtually surrounded by the kind of information which has been beyond our reach until quite recently. New forms of open data are constantly emerging and their amount and quality will serve as a basis for better applications to improve and ease our lives. Appropriate management and retrieval of the available information enables us to build a better future for individuals, organizations and communities.
THE TOPIC “INFORMATION” COVERS
OPEN DATA IN INFORMATION SOCIETY
- Open data in different domains,
- open data and environment,
- everyday applications and open data.
INFORMATION SEEKING AND QUALITY OF LIFE
- Bioinformatics,
- medical information retrieval,
- collaborative information retrieval,
- interactive information retrieval.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE
- Knowledge discovery,
- knowledge management,
- personal information management,
- knowledge in organizations.
Interactive media
Interactive media has taken over several roles of information specialists and will keep causing uncertainties about our future. Keeping track of the latest technological developments and “playing” with them is the only way to predict and prepare for what is around the corner. Are we able to improve our quality of life with the help of interactive media?
THE TOPIC “INTERACTIVE MEDIA” COVERS
SOCIAL MEDIA
- Monitoring, marketing,
- analyses, research,
- influences and future.
INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING THROUGH GAMES AND VIRTUAL REALITY
- Edugames and e-learning,
- games and communities,
- gamification.
PRIVACY AND SECURITY IN THE CURRENT AND FUTUREDIGITAL WORLD
- Social media intelligence (Socmint),
- cyber safety and cookies (tracking).
FUTURE OF LIFE QUALITY
- Quantified self, e-health (biometrics) and
- machine generated diagnosis.
CHANGING ROLES
- Apps as the new information specialist.