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Virtual study visits to a variety of information agencies were held as part of ETL507 – Professional experience and portfolio subject. The variety of information agencies attended in these virtual visits covered everything from school libraries, public libraries, TAFE, university, specialist libraries, and museums. The visits showcased the diversity that can be found within the information agencies and the important dynamic role that a professional information specialist plays in today’s society.
Virtually visiting Mt Alvernia highlighted the effect a passionate school librarian can have within the school community through promotion, curation, and management of their collection to their stakeholders. Listening to Sally Turbit discuss the power of MakerSpace programs to build resilience and connections within and between patrons was enlightening and inspiring. Anna Griffith from Albury Wodonga Health showcased the importance of maintaining a specialist collection through weeding to improve the functionality of the physical space and the authoritative nature of the collection itself. Paul Kloppenborg’s interviews with the library staff that work at the Learning and Information Services at the William Angliss Institute reiterate the importance of developing a team and successfully managing it to deliver better outcomes for the breadth of stakeholders. Massey University Library highlighted the importance of collaboration and building relationship with all stakeholders, while maintaining and celebrating the culture that is indigenous to the land to which the library serves. Lauren Gobbet with her role as archivist for the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA Inc., demonstrates the ability of prioritisation of tasks that an information professional must exhibit in the face of an ever-increasing workload.
These virtual study visits are a perfect culmination of the learning that is gained through completion of the Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) course providing real life examples of why each individual subject within it are important. Through embedding themselves within the community they serve and resourcing this community by identifying their users’ needs, an information professional ensures that the important role that information agencies play within their communities is fulfilled.