Part A: Synchronous Study Visit Sessions
Monday 24th August – 7pm – 8pm – Mt Alvernia College, Brisbane – Krystal Gagen-Spriggs.
Wednesday 26th August – 4:30pm – 5:30pm – University of Newcastle MakerSpace – Sally Turbitt.
Monday 31st August – 7pm – 8pm -William Angliss Institute (TAFE) – Paul Kloppenborg.
Part B: Essay
Focus: What role does technology play in the relationship information agencies develop with their users?
The role of technology in the 21st century is at the core of most libraries and information agencies in a mission to provide 24-hour access to information (Garrido & Wyber, 2019, p.17). Libraries and information agencies have a key role in connecting their users to information through technology and digital spaces. Through technology they can provide equitable access to a much wider community of users, particularly when access to the physical library or information agency isn’t possible or convenient (Farkas, 2016, p. 31; Arun Kumara, Shilpa and Santhosh Kumar, 2018). This has been evident during the recent pandemic. Libraries and information agencies have had to expand their physical presence into the digital environment. The way that they access, store and provide information and resources is now being provided in new and innovative ways.
The objective of many 21st century libraries and information agencies is to build a relationship with their users that utilises technology and both design and critical thinking to enhance the information retrieval and learning experience. Interactions with information may facilitate their curiosity to engage further with the resources and services that the library and information agency provides. Valuing a library and information agency users experience, that provides equitable access to all, is the ultimate goal and a global tendency that resonates in the New Media Consortium Library Horizon Report (Becker et al, 2017).
Mt Alvernia College iCentre (MtA) is located in Brisbane and values equitable and positive user experience by providing physical and digital spaces, resources and a specialist team so their learning community can experience and learn the literacies of a connected world. The role of technology is evident through the Mt Alvernia iCentre website which offers a variety of services from easy access to information search and retrieval to current library news, book and resource reviews. The library has a growing collection of eBooks, audio books and access to online textbooks which have proved popular during online learning. The quick links tab on the website enables users to access video content online through the ClickView platform and provides instant access to curated and relevant online curriculum content. Users can also find links here to many other relevant blogs, reviews, tutorials, referencing guides in addition to teacher and parent resources and links. Furthermore, through the Access-it link on the iCentre website, school community users can search both physical and digital library resources and read book reviews. The Mt Alvernia iCentre website values the user’s experience by providing extensive, engaging and equitable access.
At the University of Newcastle Library (Ourimbah campus) (UNL) a MakerSpace was created in September 2019. The objective of any MakerSpace is to create a faculty agnostic space where technology is available for students and staff to develop transferable 21st century digital dexterity skills (Turbitt, S, 2020). This has been accomplished by experimenting with digital tools, student and staff-led creating without judgement; collaborating and thinking creatively and critically to solve problems while using technology. Technology in the UNL MakerSpace includes computers, scanners, sewing machines, iPads and GoPros. It also supplies ‘low-tech’ machines such as a Cricut maker and a badge machine. Sally Turbitt is the MakerSpace coordinator who uses the digital tools and resources of the MakerSpace to connect and engage students and staff with the exciting possibilities of technology, pre-empting possible solutions to critical and creative design thinking processes.
The William Angliss Institute Library (WAIL) is the learning resource centre of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Higher Education Technical and Further Education (TAFE) in Melbourne. The resource centre provides technology to its users through an expansion of eBooks on a patron model, teaching-focussed databases with easy access through the website, digitisation of special collections onto Trove, as well as video streaming through online food studies and ClickView. A bring your own device (BYOD) wireless network and computer availability provides students with access to both the campus computers and their own onsite. 89 computers are spread across the resource centre which can be used by resource centre users to teach groups of students, as well as students by themselves. There are also laptops available for loan and a media pod computer that uses Windows 10 available for use.
Libraries and information agencies are using the influence and easy access of social media to connect, engage and inform current and new users. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are often used to provide information about services, current resources and a platform to have questions answered as part of a collective learning and knowledge community.
MtA uses social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to update their users on what is happening in the library. Currently they are promoting the Principals Reading Challenge, study skills strategies, book suggestions and reviews. The ‘Connect with us’ link on their website also stipulates social media guidelines for school community users.
As the UNL MakerSpace is still in its infancy they are also utilising the power of social media through their Instagram accounts – uonlibmakers and UONMakers to record what is happening in the space and to promote their services through other University of Newcastle social media accounts. The Instagram account in particular engages and inspires followers through a showcase of MakerSpace creations.
The 21st century library and information agency has an abundance of information and resources that can be accessed through technology. During the current pandemic and with limited or no access to physical spaces, virtual resources have been the most engaging way libraries and information agencies provide essential information to their users. Comprehensive library and information agency websites also provide support through direct access for users. Through various links help is easily sourced, which is important in the 21st century information world where it is necessary to be digitally literate.
MtA uses technology in many ways to support their users. Librarians have, in consultation with teachers and curriculum leaders, created a number of research and academic guides that direct students to databases and online journals that provide easy access to credible information gauged at the subject and curriculum content. The website uses an ‘Ask a Librarian’ link to provide students with support in identifying and searching relevant and credible resources, pointing them in the right direction for referencing and answering any questions about iCentre services. The Quick Link section provides academic support through citing and referencing as well as information on finding images that include copyright licencing.
Similarly, the UNL MakerSpace website has a wealth of information to support students online. There are links to book a session of up to two hours in the MakerSpace. Further, students and staff can easily book in for the many workshops offered, fill in an online 3D printer request form, view an equipment list of the technology and creative tools available in the space and provide feedback via a link with any comments or suggestions for the space. More support is available in the ‘access to library news’ on the page.
Further, the WAIL learning resource centre supports student online learning by offering an information link for off-campus access and online study guide and welcome suggestions to assist with off-campus study. It also provides links to Google Scholar, subject guides and latest resources and news. When students want to use the resource centre’s study room, they can also book this online via the website link.
Part B: Reflection
The Virtual Study Visit department collectively presented an excellent line up of library and information agency hosts who facilitated informative virtual visits. In the current climate of CoVid restrictions to accessing physical environments, hosts modelled through their flexible and innovative approaches that technological possibilities are boundless to build a strong relationship with an audience in the realm of the virtual world. As a future information professional this was an example of the important role technology plays in heightening a user’s experience with information. It can effectively engage users in positive experiences that facilitate curiosity in the services and resources of information agencies and libraries as much as possible.
The opportunity to meet and find out more about the hosts and their spaces prior to the visit meant I had time to reflect upon their roles and those of some of their staff, as well as the features of the information that the agency or library provided. This also allowed time for me to prepare relevant questions on the discussion forum and subsequently ensured that the hour-long visit was informative and pertinent.
I am grateful to the hosts for their generosity of time, innovation and knowledge; and the opportunity to be immersed, through the virtual study visits, in the experience. I have been inspired as an information professional to emulate many of the wonderful and rich ideas and approaches that were shared when providing access to the vast world of information. The setting up and creation of a MakerSpace, providing online guides and promoting the library and its services through social media are a few I am looking forward to implementing through the privileged role of the Teacher Librarian, evolving on a journey that connects “always on information users” (Wheeler & Gerver, 2015) with timely acquisition of resources and information in the 21st century.
References
Adams Becker, S., Cummins, M., Davis, A., Freeman, A., Hall Giesinger, C., Ananthanarayanan, V., Langley, K. & Wolfson, N. (2017). NMC horizon report: 2017 library edition. The New Media Consortium. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/182005/
Arun Kumara, T., Shilpa, B. & Santhosh Kumar, K. (2018). ICT application to next generation libraries. Journal of Advances in Library and Information Science, 7(3), 227-231. http://jalis.in/pdf/7-3/Arun.pdf
Farkas, M. (2016). In practice: The new digital divide. American Libraries, 47(1), 31-31. www.jstor.org/stable/24604202
Garrido, M. & Wyber, S. (2019). Development and access to information. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. https://da2i.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/da2i-2019-full-report.pdf
Turbitt, S. (August 26, 2020). Virtual study visit: University of Newcastle Makerspace. [Zoom Video].
Wheeler, S., & Gerver, R. (2015). Learning with e’s : Educational theory and practice in the digital age. ProQuest Ebook Central. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com