The Australian Library Journal
volume 46 issue 3
[editorial] John Levett
Strategic review of library co-ordination and representation
Robert Gardini and Associates
[Editor's note: We take the opportunity to reprint here the text of the recent Strategic review of library co-ordination and representation, together with a statement by the steering committee for the review to accompany the consultant's
report, and an executive summary, consisting of downloaded files from the National Library of Australia's homepage. We recognise that many members will have seen the electronic version, but the editor was of the view that since The Australian Library
Journal is the Australian Library and Information Association's 'journal of record', the text should also appear here. He is strengthened in this view by his sympathy with the future historian, and his belief that only a proportion of the ALIA
membership has access to the Internet. This view is supported by the fact that reportage on the evolution of the review appears in the Association's hard-copy newsmagazine inCite, and readers are referred to the June and July 1997 issues of this
publication for the current situation regarding the review and the implementation of its recommendations. The review was carried out by a firm of consultants in the Australian Capital Territory, Gardini and Associates; since the report of the review is not
a contribution in the accepted sense, it has not been subjected to the usual editorial process. The outcome of the review is that the councils of ALIA and ACLIS '...are finally to merge into one organisation as a precursor to the establishment of a new
peak body based on the organisational strengths of ALIA.
On 12 June [1997] both Councils agreed to combine services as from 1 January 1998.' [inCite July 1997 p6]. The full text of ALIA's submission to the Review is available on ALIA's website.]
Academic library usage: a comparison of native and non-native English-speaking students
Anthony J Onwuegbuzie and Qun G Jiao
A study was undertaken to compare native and non-native English-speaking university students with respect to how often they used their library and why, as well as to determine which group of students had the highest levels of library anxiety.
Manuscript received February 1997 - This is a refereed article
Women's status within libraries 1950s to 1980s
Jane Simon
Oral histories drawn on in this paper, as well as touching on the personal lives and the workplace practices which impinged on the lives of twenty retired female librarians, provide insight into broader social and cultural changes occurring at the time.
While formal equality may have been obtained during the period under analysis female librarians had not achieved substantive equality in terms of equal pay and the sexual division of labour which began in the 1890s persisted. The thrust of librarianship
towards professionalism was directed towards the establishment and attainment of tertiary qualifications (McKinnon 1985:7). In addition, professional leaders increasingly identified with the information technology aspects of librarianship which resulted in
changes to the labour process. For the most part the women who are the subject of this article conformed to a masculine standard of workplace practice because they were constrained by the image of the professional 'who didn't get involved in union issues'
because `it wasn't a nice thing to do.' It was this image of professionalism with the emphasis on 'the improvement of libraries rather than individual status' (Cook 1977:110) which led to the image of women librarians as passive sufferers of rather than as
resisters against discrimination. While the image worked contrary to the voicing of a feminist politics of resistance within libraries, there were some who chose to resist.
Manuscript received December 1996
School-leaver attitudes towards careers in librarianship: the results of a survey
Paul Genoni and Neil Greeve
This paper reports on a survey of Western Australian school-leavers (16-17 year-olds) conducted in order to determine their attitudes towards libraries and librarians. The survey includes comparisons between librarianship and other careers according to a
set of criteria considered to be crucial determining factors in career choices. The results indicate the continuation of negative images of librarians, and the shift in perceptions that must occur before it is considered a desirable career option for a
greater number of school-leavers. Suggestions are made for improvements in the marketing of first qualifying courses.
Manuscript received April 1997 - This is a refereed article
OSI: will it ever see the light of day?
Peter Moloney
A review of competing interests in the world of computers and standards. Recent literature regarding Open System Interconnections (OSI) has focused on issues of viability and necessity. A number of aspects will be examined with a view to postulating future
developments for OSI. It will be seen that the promise of OSI has been bold and ambitious; but that its delivery has been significantly delayed beyond initial projections. Its potential to ever see the light of day is indeed questionable. However, for a
great many communications experts, sooner would be far more preferable to later.
Manuscript received February 1997
Electronic reserve - a staff development opportunity
Robyn Smith
The application of technology to library operations has led to significant service improvements, a clear example being the development of electronic reserve systems. A case study of the Queensland University of Technology Library's experience in developing
an electronic reserve service examines the processes undertaken and staff development opportunities arising from these processes. A feature of the QUT project was the direct and detailed involvement of front-line lending services staff. It is unusual for
such staff to be closely involved in a developmental project relying on new applications of technology. Benefits to these staff members as well as practical issues arising during the trial are addressed. Future scenarios and solutions are also considered.
Manuscript received April 1997
Library industry competency standards: state of the art - State Library of Victoria
Sheena Cuthbert
Following a brief background note on the development of Library Industry Competency Standards within Australia and the general impact of these standards to date, the paper focuses on issues raised, opportunities identified within the State Library of
Victoria for the integration of such standards and future challenges. It concludes that through staff participation and simplicity of implementation the standards have the potential to add to successful organisational outcomes whilst also acting as a tool
which will aid in the State Library of Victoria's pursuit of best practice.
Manuscript received May 1997
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