The Australian Library Journal
Volume 53 Nš3 August 2004
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John Levett
A digital library and archive about the Marshall Islands: experiences and challenges
Dirk HR Spennemann
The development of the world wide web has allowed the establishment of online information warehouses, either in centralised or distributed form, such as a digital library and archive about the Marshall Islands, a small Pacific Island nation. The library is comprised of primary and secondary sources which are often scattered and, especially for remote communities, hard to come by. This paper discusses the development, current and future use of the library, looking at users and areas of subject demand. Manuscript received December 2003.
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Book values - an unsolvable mystery?
Peter Dobrovits
The author muses on a question which is often asked of booksellers and librarians 'How much is this book worth?' The issue is problematic and estimations of a book's worth can seldom be anything more than that: in at least one case he cites, the answer is routinely 'blue sky'. Manuscript received January 2004.
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Reference services for children: information needs and wants in the public library
Anita Brown
As information literacy becomes vital to functioning effectively in today's world, the public library has a responsibility in ensuring that the specific information and reference needs of children are adequately addressed. Children as reference clients require skilled and considered assistance to locate information relevant to both their perceived and real needs. This article is based on a literature review submitted in partial fulfilment of a Master of Applied Science (Library and Information Management) degree at Charles Sturt University. Manuscript received October 2003.
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Accountability and accreditation for special libraries: it can be done!
Brigitte Glockner
Health librarians are very familiar with the accreditation process in hospitals. In 2000 the first ALIA National Policy Congress recommended that accreditation of special libraries should be implemented. The proposed guidelines have been roughly based on the EQuIP Program of the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. This program is recognised as a national and international leader in the accreditation process. Manuscript received September 2003.
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Bridging the gulf: mixed methods and library service evaluation
Abby Haynes
This paper explores library evaluation in Australia and proposes a return to research fundamentals in which evaluators are asked to consider the centrality of philosophical issues and the role of different research methods. A critique of current evaluation examples demonstrates a system-centred, quantitative, input/output focus which fails to engage with users' experiences or to address service objectives, and provides insufficient information upon which to make decisions about service improvements. This reliance on traditional evaluation is juxtaposed with the emphasis library and information studies places on alternative methodologies. The paper asks why a perspective that has become mainstream in academic research remains peripheral to practice-based evaluation. Manuscript received March 2004.
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