AustLit

'This paper provides an overview of Stage One in the development of a new resource about school libraries and teacher-librarianship in Australia and New Zealand. This new advocacy, research and information tool was produced by a team of academics from the School of Information and Communication Studies, Charles Sturt University. This team have expertise in education, librarianship, and teacher-librarianship. Curating over 100 years of resources for, and about teacher-librarians and school libraries in Australia and New Zealand, Stage One of the Knowledge Bank of Australian and New Zealand School Libraries (KBANZSL) is a point-in-time guide and record of critical reports, books, papers, and other resources about Australian school libraries and teacher-librarianship. It is intended to support researchers, administrators, practitioners and advocates of school libraries and teacher-librarianship by recording literature in the field in a single location. Details of the project's scope, development and parameters are discussed, and examples of the intended final outputs are provided. The overall project addresses an identified gap in the research around teacher-librarianship in Australia and New Zealand. An opportunity to build on this current research exists, with the intention that Stage Two of the project will extend the resource into the online environment.'  (Publication abstract)

'Library literature has long discussed the addition of table of contents and summary data to enhance bibliographic records for resources in the collection. The retrospective addition of this enhanced data has not been as widely discussed however this also offers great benefits to be considered. Despite the increased cost often associated with retrospectively working on resources already in the library collection, new life can be breathed into the usage of older resources as demonstrated by usage statistics from this particular library that indicate it can be a worthwhile and valuable project to be undertaken. This research-in-practice paper looks at the retrospective enhancement of existing bibliographic records with table of contents and summary data and its influence on an increase in usage of physical resources.' (Publication abstract)

'Public libraries play a vital role in developing and facilitating digital literacy programs for diverse communities. Digital literacy skills are important because they enable access to information and engagement with government and support services that are increasingly provided online. This paper reviews literature and library programs world-wide to identify good practice in developing and facilitating digital literacy programs. It also presents our findings from a case study illustrating the practice of Hume Libraries, an Australian public library recognised for its leadership in digital literacy programs in support of diverse communities. Results from the review alongside interviews and a focus group with Hume Libraries staff informed the development of a framework to support the successful development and facilitation of digital literacy programs for diverse communities. The framework presents tasks in a checklist format for practitioners to consider when they develop, facilitate and enhance digital literacy programs for diverse communities.'  (Publication abstract)

'The National Library of Australia (NLA) has publicised Michael Richards’ book, A Maker of Books, as its ‘flagship title for the celebration’ of 50 years of NLA Publishing. Richards worked at the NLA between 1986 and 1998, and, as Director of Exhibitions, curated the Library’s major exhibition for the Australian Bicentennial.'  (Introduction)