The information environment, information policy and ethics

Over many years I have been following with interest changes to the publishing and distribution models, first with music, then newspapers and now books.  Copyright legislation and Free Trade agreements also have an impact on the information landscape.  One example of library ethics I find particularly inspiring is the librarians in the US who were the first to challenge a letter of seizure under the Patriot act.

Investigating the use of Creative Commons licence for locally generated content and implementing this with staff.

Treaty of Waitangi training.

Generating, communicating and using information

As web based tools have grown in number and sophistication there are now endless ways of creating and sharing information.  New information formats also increasingly available.  In print you now have graphic novels and zines to add to collections as well as a range of digital formats such as databases and e-books.  All of these appeal to different customers and meet different information needs.

Evaluation of databases and annual review of subscriptions.  Bringing together a cross-library team to be part of this work.

Introduction of e-books into the collections.

Information needs and design

Included in this is the physical environment that resources sit in.  Over time I have experienced the shift from libraries being ‘book warehouses’ to more and more space being dedicated to community use for reading, study and programmes.  The ‘librarian as gatekeeper’ no longer exists and collections, both physical and digital need to be much more DIY; intuitive and easy to use for all customers.  Programmes that are run are now much more customised to specific groups within the community.

Major reorganisation and weeding of non-fiction collection to improve the flow of the collection, reduce customer confusion and open up more study and reading space.

The information access process

For some a written guide works best and for others one to one attention and assistance is what is needed.  This is not only driven by ages and stages but different learning styles that need to be supported.

Creation of a staff wiki to replace the ‘reference folder’.

Organisation, retrieval, preservation and conservation

My understanding is that this is a critical skill to any librarian.  Information is useless if you can’t find it so the ability to arrange, describe, store and preserve information is of central importance to what we do.  This may take many forms and different types of materials have different requirements.  Items that are born digital still need to be preserved and made accessible but this happens in quite a different way to a physical object.

The development of disaster recovery plans now need to take the digital environment into account as well as the physical.

Asset management database.

Contribute to the Business Continuity plan.

Research, analysis and interpretation of information

To me this is the process of accessing the knowledge of those who have gone before, collecting information from colleagues and known sources such as the APLM wiki and published sources and using that to inform my own understanding.

This information can also be used to support recommendations in a report , measure the effectiveness of a programme or service against others and becoming informed about a new area of work.

Contributing to the development of user surveys.

Application of information and communication technologies

In my experience the variety of technologies being used to enhance our services has and will only continue to increase.  Librarians have always been keen users of technologies that assist us to organise information and make it accessible.  The advent of the Internet created a whole new avenue for making information available directly to the public

Installation of satellite connectivity on mobile libraries.

Introduction of tablet devices for staff use.. PA

Preparation of a report to council leadership on RFID.

Information resource management and knowledge management

I understand information to be the ‘hard’ resources that we provide access to, their acquisition and management.

Knowledge is what is generated from the use of these resources and may take many forms such as conversations, shared online work spaces of a new understanding of how a piece of information can be applied.

Introduction of new acquisitions processes.

Annual review of database subscriptions.

Learning about Te Whare Tapa Whā model of understanding Māori knowledge.

Management in information organisations

Most libraries operate within some sort of corporate environment whether government, business or some other entity.  In all these environments planning is essential and needs to be carried out in accordance with the parent organisations goals and policies.

Managing Collections budget.

Managing staff including recruitment and budgets.

Contribution to Annual Plan and LTP.

Assessing service effectiveness

In order to remain central to our communities we need to be continually reviewing and changing our collections, spaces and services to meet the changing needs of our customers.

In my experience this needs to be done carefully so that changes are supported by a solid understanding of community need and build in flexibility and mobility for the future change.

Reviewing public programmes and changing their frequency and timing to better meet the community’s needs.

Awareness of indigenous (Māori) knowledge paradigms

In my own journey I have come to understand the foundational importance of Te Reo Māori and whakapapa in the generation and transmission of knowledge and the holistic nature of Te Ao Māori.

My personal journey to reconnect with my whakapapa.