June 2023 Editorial

Welcome to the June 2023 issue of the Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association (JALIA). This issue contains a research paper, three research-in-practice papers and two information-in-practice papers. It is wonderful to have a range of paper types in JALIA including practice-based research and papers reporting on initiatives or projects in practice, along with full research papers, each providing examples for evidence-based library and information practice. In addition, the issue contains two obituaries which honour two great contributors to the library and information profession and discipline, Dr Edward (Ted) Flowers (Mitcheson, 2023), and Emeritus Professor Dr Don Schauder (Monash University, 2023). As usual, the issue is rounded off with 12 useful book reviews.

The research paper by Kirsten Thorpe (2023) titled ‘Recognising the Gaps: A Study on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Representation in Australian Libraries’ builds on research supported by an Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Research Grant. The full report is available online (Thorpe, 2021) and like the paper published here discusses the outcomes of a National Survey on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment in Australian Libraries, conducted from 2020 to 2021. The research provided a snapshot of the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed in Australian libraries and identifies the current employment types across various library settings. It describes trends in current employment and identifies gaps to understand more about the experiences of Indigenous people working in libraries across Australia. This paper reflects on the research findings over two key areas, (1) Indigenous library workers yarning about their employment and (2) the lack of Indigenous employment and the impact on cultural safety. Strengths of the paper and the report are the emphasis on enabling the interviewees’ voices to be heard and that it provides the Australian library and information professions a roadmap for change.

The first research-in-practice paper; ‘Users’ Experiences in a Regional Academic Library Makerspace’ by Bell et al. (2023) from the University of Southern Queensland explores users’ experiences of participation and perceptions of value across three usage types in the Makerspace: Course curriculum, extracurricular and research. To understand users’ experiences analysis produced themes providing a narrative of users’ participation that started with tentative curiosity and hesitancy around using the Makerspace, but ultimately saw participants finding value in new perspectives and skills.

Another research-in-practice paper by Rebecca Muir (2023) titled ‘From data to insights: Developing a tool to enhance our decision making using reflexive thematic analysis and qualitative evidence’ discusses how to analyse qualitative data such as user feedback to inform decision making. To support the use of evidence in decision making, Muir proposes the development of personal data analysis ‘tools’ which can offer a transparent structure to guide data analysis, while also providing a learning and reflection framework for ongoing development. The paper guides the reader through the construction of a minimalistic tool for analysing qualitative evidence for use in personal or organisational LIS decision making, informed by pragmatism and reflexive thematic analysis.

Wells and Sallenbach’s (2023) paper ‘Books and Ebooks: The New Equilibrium in an Academic Library’ revisits findings of an earlier article (2015) on the same topic and documents the situation at Curtin Library as at 2022. It describes changes in the ebook environment and user attitudes over the past six years, as well as developments in the Library’s acquisition strategies and methods to increase ebook holdings, and the current state of the collection. The article finally provides a likely projection of the ebook and print book holdings situation at Curtin Library in 2050.

In her information-in-practice paper, Alyce Greenwood (2023) uses a reflective practice approach to explore experiences and views of working as a librarian in the Australian higher education context. Drawing on information from professional practice, this paper considers the professional identities of librarians in a third-space paradigm, including how they contribute to doctoral supervision. This paper examines teachers as curators leading to her view of librarians as teachers. It touches on the author’s new awareness of librarians and their role in supporting assessment for learning. The paper puts forward the author’s use of reflective practice to enhance teaching, and shares experiences in using the Technology Pedagogy Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework to ensure reflective practice is focused.

The final information-in-practice paper ‘Making the importance of libraries and librarians visible: an international online library skills initiative in response to COVID’ by Cheung et al. (2023) explores how the onset of COVID required many libraries to re-imagine how they conduct their services. Hong Kong SKH Ming Hua Theological College Library established an international collaboration to develop and deliver an online library skills programme aimed at addressing that re-imagining. This paper reports those international initiatives which included online tours and online talks which involved an international collaboration between librarians, faculty, students and professionals in Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. The overall aims of this initiative were to provide an online library skills programme for education and leisure activities and make the value of librarians and libraries visible to stakeholders during the pandemic to ensure the upkeep of library resources, budgeting and staffing. The paper outlines the background and organisation of the programme, its design and discusses the lessons learned and implications for practice of the strategies used in the programme.

Finally, this issue’s book reviews reflect the breadth of publishing on library topics, and the breadth of the reviewers’ interests. Colin Steele has contributed a triple header on books, and your joint review editor has heaped praise on one of the most comprehensive information services texts he has come across. Other reviews cover happenings in the cloud and on the ground in libraries from elementary to academic. More reviews cover publications on collection management, weeding, data-driven decisions, the knowledge economy, learning and experiential learning, technical services project management, YA literature and programs for sustainable living. Whatever your interests, you’ll find something new in JALIA reviews.