Enabling the information commons

Presented at the ALIA 2004 Biennial Conference, September 21-24 2004, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Abstract: As more libraries embrace the term 'information commons' to name and symbolise services, this paper explores the meaning of the concept in Australia and overseas. The public library as we know it was founded on principles of providing free access to all. This is now threatened by the growth of information as commodity, and has led many to question the controls and costs of information in society. This is a conceptual paper that examines the threats that emerge from restricted access, legislation, rising information costs, and the changing role of libraries. The response to these threats by libraries, individuals and organisations is detailed. Projects and models that aim to protect the information commons are discussed. This paper aims to encourage debate on these issues to clarify the nature and role of the information commons.

What steps can librarians take to ensure access to information for all in the future, and how can they build communities in an era of declining participation? Do the information commons represent a new direction for librarianship, or a renewed emphasis on traditional values?

For more information about this presentation, see my ALIA2004 page or E-LIS record.

Master of Arts thesis

Information literacy and news libraries: The challenge of developing information literacy instruction programs in a special library environment. Unpublished thesis. Perth: Curtin University of Technology, 2003.

The entire thesis is available online via the Digital Theses Program.

Abstract

This study examines the current situation of training provided to journalists by news librarians in the United States and Australia. The study examines the factors affecting the provision of training and the potential for information literacy instruction to comprise most of the training provided. The definition of information literacy was explored in the context of journalists and news organisations. The study questions the adaptability of the concept to a workplace environment, where organisational and individual development is important.

The results of a self-administered questionnaire are presented. Respondents indicated that news librarians are very willing to plan and conduct training, a clear majority agreeing that they should train journalists to search for their own information. Respondents also expressed a need for more training themselves with regard to the skills needed to deliver instruction. The results also found that training is at an early stage in news libraries, with few hours available for planning and conducting training, and mixed success with different training methodologies.

A model is suggested as a method of selecting information literacy competencies for individual journalists. The model describes the relationships between individual, organisation, and occupation determined competencies. The study also discusses the implications of the lack of workplace training for journalists, which has impacted upon news libraries' ability to introduce training services. News librarians are providing training, and are pro-active in providing services and information to journalists, but managers do not yet recognise this as a major role for librarians in news organisations. Information literacy instruction needs to become an organisational goal in order to succeed.

The difficulties of assessing and evaluating information literacy instruction in the workplace are outlined. The need for measurable outcomes and preevaluation in training are emphasised.

Several considerations for further research are detailed, including the need for further clarification of the nature of information literacy in the workplace, as well as the relationship between the role of information literacy instruction in formal university education and the workplace.

Other publications

Historical accuracy and the web: a PLG-NET exchange. Progressive Librarian. No. 22. Summer 2003. p. 65-72. [This article was a reprint of emails from the PLG list, my contribution to the discussion was included amongst several others]

'People'. New Breed Librarian. August 2002 [retrieved from: http://www.newbreedlibrarian.org/archives/02.04.aug2002/people.html]

'Letter to the Editor'. Australian Library Journal. v. 50, i. 3. [also online at: http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/alj/50.3/letters.html]

'Between the stacks and on the air waves...' Incite. v. 22, i. 7. July 2001. p. 29.

'When there is music in the air...' Incite. v. 21, i. 11. November 2000. [also online at: http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/incite/2000/11/music.libraries.html]

Your Voice (Letters to the editor). Incite. v. 21, i. 11. November 2000. [also online at: http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/incite/2000/11/your.voice.html]