The concept of social capital, where value is derived from positive connections with people (Mask, 2019), is one which is explored in Ferguson (2012) review around the capacity of public libraries to raise social capital through lifelong learning and information literacy. The services offered by a library must meet the needs of the community which they serve. This report will be investigating how two libraries do this with tailored resources and services.

The State Library of NSW website reports that the function of the library is to collect and preserve materials and evidence which relates to New South Wales’s place in the world, making them accessible to all in New South Wales and beyond (State Library of NSW, n.d.-a, para 1). With such a large community to service, the State Library have numerous ways in which they are striving to create a more accessible. The strategic plan of the library states that the needs of the public are at the forefront of everything that is done with the desire to flip the library inside out so that it meets community needs through putting reader and visitor first, the expansion of audience, and creating an inclusive staff culture where contributions are welcomed (State Library of NSW, 2022).

One example of the strategic direction in action was reported by D. Webb (personal communication, March 28, 2023). The Indigenous Engagement branch of the library is looking at ways to celebrate and prioritise First Nations voices and in doing this it is looking to address complex issues such as establishing a First Nations collecting strategy, updating records to acknowledge where there are contested histories and regional digitisation hubs (D. Webb, personal communication, March 28, 2023). While updating the library catalogue and website for a more interactive and user-friendly experience (L. Prichard, personal communication, March 28, 2023), they have looked at including First Nations voices in the connection of Aboriginal communities through websites such as Gather (State Library of NSW, n.d.-b).

The University of Sydney library, under the governance of the University Senate, are informed in their direction by the strategic plan for the years 2022 to 2032 (The University of Sydney, 2022). When looking to create a better place for users they are ambitiously looking to ensure that physical and digital places are inviting for all and meet the purpose for which they are designed (The University of Sydney, 2022).

The library has employed many initiatives, one of which is to make the First Nations voice prominent. P. Kent (personal communication, March 29, 2023) reported that the university had created an Acknowledgement of Country video where Gadi language is authentically used and the video is shown in all library spaces. The creation of this video was in response to feedback from First Nations students who reported that they did not feel a genuine connection to the library spaces (P. Kent, personal communication, March 29, 2023). Along with a current collection of research materials suitable for study needs of students, the university also provided digital resources, such as 3-D printing facilities or recording studios where students can engage in hands on research. The engagement of a Learning Spaces Officer has meant that the library spaces are tailored to be evolving and inviting for use, such as through adaptable signage and a variety of furniture designed to fit adaptive learning (M. Sanfilippo, personal communication, March 29, 2023).

References

Ferguson, S. (2012). Are public libraries developers of social capital? A review of their contribution and attempts to demonstrate it. The Australian Library Journal, 61(1), 22-33.  https://doi.org/10.1080/00049670.2012.10722299

Mask, R. L. (2019, November 19). What is social capital and why is it so important? SNHU Newsroom. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/business/what-is-social-capital

State Library of NSW. (2022, September 28). Strategic Plan. State Library of NSW. https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/about-library/strategic-plan

State Library of NSW. (n.d.-a). About the library. State Library of NSW. https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/about-library

State Library of NSW. (n.d.-b). Gather: About. State Library of NSW. https://gather.sl.nsw.gov.au/about

The University of Sydney. (2022). Our aspirations. https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us/2032-strategy/our-aspirations.html

Much like my own career journey, the pathway many information professionals have taken is not a linear one, but one which winds through many different avenues. In looking at several LinkedIn profiles of the hosts and speakers from the study tour, this has become even more apparent. For example, the three graduates from the University of Sydney panel discussion had different life experience and goals before heading into the same program. A. Cameron Smith had a background of lecturing, tutoring and pursuing his own further study before completing study in Information Services and participating in the Academic Services Graduate program which the university library offers (personal communication, March 29, 2023), while C. Catsanos went from an undergraduate degree in the Arts, completing her Master of Information Studies to then work in the medical academic support team in the university library for the graduate program (personal communication, March 29, 2023). All of the graduates expressed their appreciation of skills which information professionals need, such as the ability to source information and be relational in their assistance. Much like the research reviewed in Bracke’s study (2016), these professionals have worked collaboratively with teams and library users for the best outcome for all.

The career of Monique North, Head Teacher Librarian at Loreto Kirribilli, also shows a variety of steps to end up in the position she is in today (North, n.d.). Of particular interest is that beyond the initial teacher librarianship qualifications, a second Master of Education degree was completed, with the focus of knowledge networks and digital innovation (North, n.d.). North’s ability to head a team in the library setting, including a library manager and library assistants along with working with academic staff is indicative of the leadership qualities which North possesses (personal communication, March 30, 2023). The leadership style of being a host or servant leader has been employed by North where she is effectively getting a seat at the table in decision making processes and is able to be a voice where she looks at the bigger picture than just departmental discussions (M. North, personal communication, March 30, 2023). Indeed the very act of opening up the library and sharing her journey with the study tour is a sign of servant leadership as reported in Bier (2021) where it is done in a relational manner.

A professional development action which I wish to take, having analysed the pathways which other information professionals have made is to be intentional in the relationships which I foster from my position in the library. While I am currently privileged to be in a teacher librarian position, there are times when I am not part of teaching team discussions. Intentionally offering the library as a meeting place or attending additional meetings where the relationships with teachers are fostered is something which is an immediate action I wish to take to assist with leading from the middle with the bird’s eye view of a differing perspective (Cox & Korodaj, 2019). This relational view of librarianship will also be fostered into the community, where I would like to deepen parent community connections through avenues such as events or attending community meetings.

References

Bier, M. C. (2021). Servant leadership for schools. Journal of Character Education, 17(2), 27-46.

Bracke, P. (2016). Social networks and relational capital in library service assessment. Performance Measurement and Metrics, 17(2), 134-141.  https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/PMM-04-2016-0019

Cox, E., & Korodaj, L. (2019). Leading from the sweet spot : Embedding the library and the teacher librarian in your school community. Access, 33(4), 14-25.  https://doi.org/10.3316/aeipt.229255

North, M. (n.d.). Home [LinkedIn page]. LinkedIn. Retrieved April 16, 2023 from https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-north-27708382/

The Sydney study tour of 2023 gave me a chance to look outward and inward in many ways. The opportunity to see information services in action in places and ways I did not even think of before has opened my eyes to the range of potential career paths I could take, should my favourite one of teacher librarian fall through.

I was surprised to see in black and white the range of roles which were available in an organisation such as the State Library of NSW (P. Fitzgerald, personal communication, March 28, 2023), having been looking at the tunnel of teacher librarianship, it didn’t occur to me that publication and digital imaging roles were part of running a state-of-the-art information space. The support of the State Library of NSW to other public libraries across the state also had not been on my radar, but in C. Morley’s talk about the range of services provided, from funding to library design templates (personal communication, March 28, 2023), made me contemplate the necessity of not only school, but public libraries as spaces for community and relationship. The focus on First Nations voices through the State Library also made me realise that protocols which are being established or updated within this space will come to schools too, making me wish to follow the work of Indigenous Engagement closely so that my practice in a small school library is respectful and up to date.

While each site which was visited on the study tour offered a differing insight into information services, a definite highlight of the time was being able to spend it with other likeminded professionals walking down the path to working in the information sector. The networking opportunities which this visit alone has opened up with the face-to-face opportunity alone has made this trip a highlight of the Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) course so far.