Library and Information Science Research, Oct 2010
This paper investigates the academization of library and information science (LIS) educators in A... more This paper investigates the academization of library and information science (LIS) educators in Australia from 1959 to 2008. Extensive data document the distribution of these academics in Australian higher education institutions over fifty years: from a slow beginning in the 1960s, to rapid growth in the 1970s, relative stability in the 1980s, and a persistent decline from the 1990s. Results of other characteristics of Australian LIS educators over the fifty-year period are presented including: previous positions held before entering academia, what and where academic qualifications were obtained, academic positions/ranks by gender, mobility within Australian higher education institutions, and years spent as Australian LIS educators. Although there has been a steady decline in the number of Australian LIS educators since the 1990s, the level of academic qualifications and percentage with doctorates have risen, thus conforming to a major requirement of academia; however, the relative decline in junior academic positions is a worrying trend. The analysis of changed characteristics over time helps define who Australian LIS academics are, and additionally provides data that contributes to LIS academic workforce planning.
The frequency of browsing as a method of choosing material in public libraries, and the failure o... more The frequency of browsing as a method of choosing material in public libraries, and the failure of most libraries to organize material in a way likely to appeal to browsers is discussed. The concern with the browser emerged from a needs survey of the users of one suburban Sydney library. The users were classified according to the specificity of their
ABSTRACTPerformance measurement for libraries and librarians is not new. Today public sector acco... more ABSTRACTPerformance measurement for libraries and librarians is not new. Today public sector accountability gives added impetus. This paper distinguishes the criteria for measurement of library performance from criteria for the measures themselves, building upon the theoretical models for performance proposed by Orr and Buckland. The issues surrounding performance measurement are explored, especially the importance of political factors. The particular pressures operating on Australian libraries are outlined along with the reactions of some libraries to them. Knowledge and action are urged upon librarians. In particular it is suggested that those responsible for overall provision of library and information services at administrative, executive and parliamentary levels in Australia should have the maintenance and enhancement of these services among the criteria on which their performance is judged. The paper was delivered at the first biennial conference of the Australian Library and Information Association...
The study investigated staff deployment at the reference service points of two large and two smal... more The study investigated staff deployment at the reference service points of two large and two small local public libraries in the Sydney metropolitan area. Hypotheses investigated concerned expected differences between large and small libraries. The method used involved identification of the levels of staff employed and observation of tasks performed by staff. The results revealed significant differences between types of
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Dec 1, 1991
This paper brings together the findings and theory from a selection of the vast literature of inn... more This paper brings together the findings and theory from a selection of the vast literature of innovation. Particular attention is given to library literature. The paper con cludes that the literature provides useful guidelines for the library manager seeking to encourage inno vation. Areas particularly recom mended for consideration are (1) the organizational structure and its hospitality to innovation and (2) the role of the 'innovation champion' and the need to foster such a per son.
The social impacts of new information technology have attracted much attention in recent years. T... more The social impacts of new information technology have attracted much attention in recent years. This study looked at the personal computer's impact on the publiclibrary's services and functions. Particular attention waspaid to the public access personal computer. The methodinvolved a Baseline survey to establish the availability and use of public access personal computers in Australianpublic libraries and a Delphi survey to consider possiblefutures.The researcher's framework was drawn from reviews of the literatures on futures research; new information technologyand its social impacts; the development and currentsituation of the public library; and innovation research.The Baseline survey revealed that public access personal computers were becoming increasingly common inpublic libraries, though their provision was not yetwidespread. Existing and planned uses included games,literacy and various other educational activities. Overallthe public access personal computer was viewed as a favourable innovation with the part it could play indeveloping community computer literacy receiving particularattention.The Delphi panel was comprised of 25 public librariansselected on the basis of their knowledge about computers inpublic libraries. The 41 Event Statements postulated a wide range of changes in - (1) the nature and method ofservice provision; (2) the patterns of client demand anduse; and, (3) financial allocations. The results revealed greater variability of opinion about the likely time ofoccurrence of the Events than about their desirability. Ahigh level of opinion change between the two Rounds did notproduce much movement toward consensus - indicating thatthe panel had varied views of the future.Comment on both surveys indicated that the librarianswere keen to develop services relevant to their communitiesand if public access personal computers were such a servicethey would strive to provide them. The Delphi surveyproved a good vehicle for encouraging consideration of thefuture and further research using the method seemswarranted
La formation en bibliotheconomie doit etre centree sur les notions de service et de gestion. Elle... more La formation en bibliotheconomie doit etre centree sur les notions de service et de gestion. Elle implique l'enseignement des techniques interpersonnelles, de la mercatique, de la problematique generale, de la surveillance des services et du catalogage, de l'elaboration des enquetes et de la conception des locaux. Differents types d'exercices sont proposes
Library and Information Science Research, Oct 2010
This paper investigates the academization of library and information science (LIS) educators in A... more This paper investigates the academization of library and information science (LIS) educators in Australia from 1959 to 2008. Extensive data document the distribution of these academics in Australian higher education institutions over fifty years: from a slow beginning in the 1960s, to rapid growth in the 1970s, relative stability in the 1980s, and a persistent decline from the 1990s. Results of other characteristics of Australian LIS educators over the fifty-year period are presented including: previous positions held before entering academia, what and where academic qualifications were obtained, academic positions/ranks by gender, mobility within Australian higher education institutions, and years spent as Australian LIS educators. Although there has been a steady decline in the number of Australian LIS educators since the 1990s, the level of academic qualifications and percentage with doctorates have risen, thus conforming to a major requirement of academia; however, the relative decline in junior academic positions is a worrying trend. The analysis of changed characteristics over time helps define who Australian LIS academics are, and additionally provides data that contributes to LIS academic workforce planning.
The frequency of browsing as a method of choosing material in public libraries, and the failure o... more The frequency of browsing as a method of choosing material in public libraries, and the failure of most libraries to organize material in a way likely to appeal to browsers is discussed. The concern with the browser emerged from a needs survey of the users of one suburban Sydney library. The users were classified according to the specificity of their
ABSTRACTPerformance measurement for libraries and librarians is not new. Today public sector acco... more ABSTRACTPerformance measurement for libraries and librarians is not new. Today public sector accountability gives added impetus. This paper distinguishes the criteria for measurement of library performance from criteria for the measures themselves, building upon the theoretical models for performance proposed by Orr and Buckland. The issues surrounding performance measurement are explored, especially the importance of political factors. The particular pressures operating on Australian libraries are outlined along with the reactions of some libraries to them. Knowledge and action are urged upon librarians. In particular it is suggested that those responsible for overall provision of library and information services at administrative, executive and parliamentary levels in Australia should have the maintenance and enhancement of these services among the criteria on which their performance is judged. The paper was delivered at the first biennial conference of the Australian Library and Information Association...
The study investigated staff deployment at the reference service points of two large and two smal... more The study investigated staff deployment at the reference service points of two large and two small local public libraries in the Sydney metropolitan area. Hypotheses investigated concerned expected differences between large and small libraries. The method used involved identification of the levels of staff employed and observation of tasks performed by staff. The results revealed significant differences between types of
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Dec 1, 1991
This paper brings together the findings and theory from a selection of the vast literature of inn... more This paper brings together the findings and theory from a selection of the vast literature of innovation. Particular attention is given to library literature. The paper con cludes that the literature provides useful guidelines for the library manager seeking to encourage inno vation. Areas particularly recom mended for consideration are (1) the organizational structure and its hospitality to innovation and (2) the role of the 'innovation champion' and the need to foster such a per son.
The social impacts of new information technology have attracted much attention in recent years. T... more The social impacts of new information technology have attracted much attention in recent years. This study looked at the personal computer's impact on the publiclibrary's services and functions. Particular attention waspaid to the public access personal computer. The methodinvolved a Baseline survey to establish the availability and use of public access personal computers in Australianpublic libraries and a Delphi survey to consider possiblefutures.The researcher's framework was drawn from reviews of the literatures on futures research; new information technologyand its social impacts; the development and currentsituation of the public library; and innovation research.The Baseline survey revealed that public access personal computers were becoming increasingly common inpublic libraries, though their provision was not yetwidespread. Existing and planned uses included games,literacy and various other educational activities. Overallthe public access personal computer was viewed as a favourable innovation with the part it could play indeveloping community computer literacy receiving particularattention.The Delphi panel was comprised of 25 public librariansselected on the basis of their knowledge about computers inpublic libraries. The 41 Event Statements postulated a wide range of changes in - (1) the nature and method ofservice provision; (2) the patterns of client demand anduse; and, (3) financial allocations. The results revealed greater variability of opinion about the likely time ofoccurrence of the Events than about their desirability. Ahigh level of opinion change between the two Rounds did notproduce much movement toward consensus - indicating thatthe panel had varied views of the future.Comment on both surveys indicated that the librarianswere keen to develop services relevant to their communitiesand if public access personal computers were such a servicethey would strive to provide them. The Delphi surveyproved a good vehicle for encouraging consideration of thefuture and further research using the method seemswarranted
La formation en bibliotheconomie doit etre centree sur les notions de service et de gestion. Elle... more La formation en bibliotheconomie doit etre centree sur les notions de service et de gestion. Elle implique l'enseignement des techniques interpersonnelles, de la mercatique, de la problematique generale, de la surveillance des services et du catalogage, de l'elaboration des enquetes et de la conception des locaux. Differents types d'exercices sont proposes
The social impacts of new information technology have attracted much attention in recent years. T... more The social impacts of new information technology have attracted much attention in recent years. This study looked at the personal computer's impact on the publiclibrary's services and functions. Particular attention waspaid to the public access personal computer. The methodinvolved a Baseline survey to establish the availability and use of public access personal computers in Australianpublic libraries and a Delphi survey to consider possiblefutures.The researcher's framework was drawn from reviews of the literatures on futures research; new information technologyand its social impacts; the development and currentsituation of the public library; and innovation research.The Baseline survey revealed that public access personal computers were becoming increasingly common inpublic libraries, though their provision was not yetwidespread. Existing and planned uses included games,literacy and various other educational activities. Overallthe public access personal computer was viewed as a favourable innovation with the part it could play indeveloping community computer literacy receiving particularattention.The Delphi panel was comprised of 25 public librariansselected on the basis of their knowledge about computers inpublic libraries. The 41 Event Statements postulated a wide range of changes in - (1) the nature and method ofservice provision; (2) the patterns of client demand anduse; and, (3) financial allocations. The results revealed greater variability of opinion about the likely time ofoccurrence of the Events than about their desirability. Ahigh level of opinion change between the two Rounds did notproduce much movement toward consensus - indicating thatthe panel had varied views of the future.Comment on both surveys indicated that the librarianswere keen to develop services relevant to their communitiesand if public access personal computers were such a servicethey would strive to provide them. The Delphi surveyproved a good vehicle for encouraging consideration of thefuture and further research using the method seemswarranted
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