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1 – 10 of over 20000Noah Lenstra and Christine D’Arpa
This chapter presents a preliminary model that frames public library workers as the foundations of how public libraries help build and support sustainable communities in the…
Abstract
This chapter presents a preliminary model that frames public library workers as the foundations of how public libraries help build and support sustainable communities in the twenty-first century, particularly in the United States, specifically in rural America. For public libraries to continue to be key partners in sustaining their communities, and in supporting the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is essential that public library work be valued, visible, and sustained over time. The UN defines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Four studies of public library work during the COVID-19 pandemic found that public library workers are facing challenges in both meeting their own needs and meeting the needs of their communities. That finding led to a consideration of what is needed to place public library work at the center of sustainable thinking. Sustaining library workers will strengthen the library as a community hub, and help those workers in turn sustain community relationships necessary for the work of the library. These, in turn, will contribute to more sustainable communities.
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Evelyn Kerslake and Anne Goulding
Reports findings of research investigating the training needs and opportunities of flexible information workers. Concludes that unless positive action is taken to address the…
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Reports findings of research investigating the training needs and opportunities of flexible information workers. Concludes that unless positive action is taken to address the needs of flexible information workers, they have fewer training opportunities than other workers, which has negative implications for overall levels of skill in the information labour market. Draws on quantitative data from a survey of 551 UK library and information services, and qualitative data from focus groups with flexible information workers and interviews with their managers. Argues that there are legislative, quality and workforce planning imperatives urging managers to address the needs of flexible information workers. Illustrates the differentiation in training offered to flexible and permanent full‐time workers using both quantitative and qualitative work. Presents examples from the case study organizations to offer ways to counteract these difficulties.
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Anne Goulding and Evelyn Kerslake
Describes the extent of flexible working practices in library and information services (LIS) in the UK, drawing on a recently completed study. Outlines concerns about training…
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Describes the extent of flexible working practices in library and information services (LIS) in the UK, drawing on a recently completed study. Outlines concerns about training expressed by managers in case study organizations and in the literature. Investigates gender and equal opportunity implications in training flexible workers when LIS continue to be dominated numerically by women, yet hierarchically by men. Discusses examples of gender‐based discrimination in training provision and allocation taken from the literature in women’s studies and business studies. Considers the potential of National Vocational Qualifications and the Library Association’s framework for continuing professional development in relation to flexible workers. Outlines the British Library Research and Development Department‐funded study investigating training for flexible LIS workers.
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This chapter explores the relationship between unionization in the information sector and the concepts of human rights and social justice.
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter explores the relationship between unionization in the information sector and the concepts of human rights and social justice.
Methodology/approach
Recent trends in unionization rates in the United States and Canada are examined, as well as examples of union activity in the information sector drawn from the Union Library Workers blog. The concept of social justice unionism and its applicability to the information sector is discussed.
Findings
While overall unionization rates in both the United States and Canada are in decline, unionization rates in libraries and other information institutions in both countries are among the highest of any industrial sector. Unions continue to engage in activities that promote the rights of their workers and the people who benefit from the services these workers provide.
Social implications
Social justice unionism offers a way for library workers to actively promote social justice for all, not just their workers and their patrons, through a commitment to broader issues affecting their communities at large.
Originality/value
Much of the work on unionization in the information sector focuses on “bread-and-butter” issues related directly to unionized workers and the benefits that unionization brings to both the workers and their workplaces. This chapter explores the role of the union in promoting human rights and social justice on a broader scale, introducing a discussion of the concept of social justice unionism.
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Andrew Brenza, Michelle Kowalsky and Denise Brush
This paper aims to develop a better understanding of student worker perceptions of academic libraries in an effort to improve student worker training, position structure and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a better understanding of student worker perceptions of academic libraries in an effort to improve student worker training, position structure and, ultimately, their perceptions of the library. The value of student reference assistants extends well beyond the completion of assigned library tasks. Specifically, student reference assistants can be important community voices and advocates for academic libraries, spreading, by word-of-mouth, the kinds of library services available to students and their relevance to the academic community. Consequently, it is essential to gain an understanding of how student workers perceive the academic library as a result of their employment.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses an informal, anonymous online survey of student reference assistants to gather information on student worker perceptions of the library. Questions focus on student workers’ understanding of library services and resources as well as on the library’s mission and purpose. An analysis of student responses is provided in light of four “ideal” perceptions which the librarians hold for all students.
Findings
Overall, student worker responses to the survey generally aligned with the ideal perceptions. However, misalignments suggest the need for training that focuses on the development of a broader understanding of the library’s role in the academic community.
Practical implications
The paper can help academic librarians gain insight on how student workers understand the role of the library within the larger academic community and how positive student worker perceptions can be leveraged for outreach purposes.
Originality/value
This paper examines an important aspect of student worker perception that has generally been overlooked in the literature.
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Sonnet Ireland and Jennifer Jackson
To examine the use of student workers in libraries, and to outline how a student worker training program can be designed and implemented. A review of published works (1978–2014)…
Abstract
To examine the use of student workers in libraries, and to outline how a student worker training program can be designed and implemented. A review of published works (1978–2014), which aims to provide information on training and using student workers for more advanced tasks. A description of the history of student workers in the reference department of the Earl K. Long Library, along with a detailed account of the training used to transform the Student Reference Assistant positions. Finally, a survey sent electronically to all Louisiana academic libraries to gather information on how other libraries use student workers. Many libraries rely on student workers for staff-level tasks. Libraries can use student workers to fill in staffing gaps, to a certain extent, as long as a proper training program is implemented. Research was limited to Louisiana academic libraries, so it is not a comprehensive view of student workers throughout the country. While there were a good number of respondents, the survey was not answered by representatives of each Louisiana academic library. A broader study of how student workers are used in libraries should be conducted in the future. Many libraries still rely on staff to do everything. This chapter will provide libraries with options for using student workers in more advanced ways. It also offers key guidelines to follow when forming a training program. Most research in this area focuses on training or assessing student workers and not on finding ways to use them to fill in staffing gaps.
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Anne Goulding and Evelyn Kerslake
Flexible workers are a growing part of the library and information sector, as they are in the service sector generally. Yet their specific needs and requirements have been greatly…
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Flexible workers are a growing part of the library and information sector, as they are in the service sector generally. Yet their specific needs and requirements have been greatly ignored. Outlines increasing flexibility in the labour market generally and discusses flexibility in library and information services. Discusses the incidence of established flexible working patterns such as part‐time, job‐share, temporary and flexi‐time working, and also of newer work forms such as homeworking and annualized hours. Uses data from a survey of 475 library and information services with a staff of 38,008 individuals. Examines the advantages and disadvantages of flexible working, and outlines the solutions worked out by case study organizations and managers. Suggests that effective use of flexible workers in library and information services necessitates the updating of management techniques and organizational strategy.
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Noah Lenstra, Nicole Peritore and Christine D’Arpa
During the COVID-19 pandemic, public librarians were asked, and in some cases ordered, to support public health in unprecedented ways. This chapter explores how we got to this…
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, public librarians were asked, and in some cases ordered, to support public health in unprecedented ways. This chapter explores how we got to this situation and how public libraries and library workers can proactively plan for better dynamics in our relationships with entities outside of the library. Based on two studies – (1) a survey of 895 library workers about their work experiences during the pandemic and (2) an interview-based study with 129 library workers and community partners on their experiences collaborating during the pandemic – this chapter focuses on the threats and opportunities associated with public libraries’ operations during periods of crisis and, in particular, one facet of success: The critical importance of library workers and library leaders being seen as active community partners, rather than as passive sites or hosts. The chapter concludes by discussing the work needed to position libraries and library workers as active, critical community partners, and supported as such at all levels – locally, nationally, and internationally.
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Stephanie Beene and Katie Greer
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether and in what ways library workers in the United States encountered patrons espousing beliefs in conspiracy theories and, if so…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether and in what ways library workers in the United States encountered patrons espousing beliefs in conspiracy theories and, if so, to explore the effectiveness of the strategies they used to address information disorder during the interactions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was designed with an exploratory qualitative approach. Data were collected via an online survey posted to national and state library association listservs, utilizing a self-selected sampling method. Researchers inductively and deductively analyzed results, developing predetermined themes based on the research questions, then iteratively integrating unexpected data during coding.
Findings
A total of 334 responses were received over two weeks. Data represent library workers from 43 states and Washington, D.C., including various types of libraries. Library workers interacted with patrons with conspiratorial thinking, and both library workers and patrons evidenced a range of emotions and motivations.
Originality/value
This is the first national study to survey library workers and whether they encountered patrons espousing conspiracy theories. While the sample size is small, themes elucidate various strategies that library workers use for interacting with patrons who express some level of conspiracy ideation.
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Purpose – In this chapter, I present a systematic discussion of the relationship between social work (SW) and library and information science (LIS) and explore how SW can…
Abstract
Purpose – In this chapter, I present a systematic discussion of the relationship between social work (SW) and library and information science (LIS) and explore how SW can contribute to the education of LIS practitioners so that they become more than information facilitators and grow professionally to be true agents of change.
Design/Methodology/Approach – Using engagement with immigrant communities as a case in point and building on the empirical comparative study of public librarians in the Greater Toronto Area and New York City, I outline the current gaps and deficiencies of LIS curricula that can be rectified through blended education. I also integrate the potential contributions of SW into LIS through the case study of an immigrant member of a library community.
Findings – Building on the case study, I introduce a four-tiered model that can be applied to a wide array of courses in LIS programs and conclude with suggestions for taking steps toward blending SW perspectives into the LIS curriculum.
Originality/Value – I position the potential fusion of SW and LIS as “professional blendedness,” which serves as a catalyst for change, and also examine the concept of the blended professional as a change agent. I introduce the rationale for adopting theoretical, practical, and pedagogical approaches from SW in the field of LIS and focus on four specific contributions that can most benefit LIS:
the person-in-environment approach;
the strengths perspective and empowerment;
the interrelated notions of cultural competence, diversity, and intersectionality; and
the theory-mindedness approach (including theory and practice models).
the person-in-environment approach;
the strengths perspective and empowerment;
the interrelated notions of cultural competence, diversity, and intersectionality; and
the theory-mindedness approach (including theory and practice models).
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