Editorial

Citation

Ashcroft, L. (2006), "Editorial", New Library World, Vol. 107 No. 11/12. https://doi.org/10.1108/nlw.2006.072107kaa.001

Editorial

A recent article entitled “Against information literacy” (Williams, 2006) suggested that “The IL movement over-complicates information skills … The rhetoric bears little foundation to reality, and information-seeking and retrieval has moved on”. This stirred up a hornet’s nest of differing opinions – some voiced in letters to “Mailbox” in the following issue of Library + Information Update (Vol. 5, No. 9, 2006). While it is impossible to provide a balanced and accurate summary of opinion, there seems to be some consensus that IL should be embedded in active learning (which varies depending on context) rather than something “separate” The end purpose is to enable students by providing those skills necessary to find the information they need when they need it. The article by Virkus reports on research which investigated the views of senior university managers on the development of information-related competencies (IRC) within European open and distance learning universities. Findings included that the importance of IRC and the lack of these competencies among students and staff were acknowledged by the university senior managers, and the role of the university library and collaborations with librarians were regarded as important. The integration of IRC into learning was at the beginning stage in the universities investigated, which were identified as examples of good practice.

A recent report A Research Study of 14-35 Year Olds for the Future Development of Public Libraries: Final Report (www.readingagency.org.uk/projects/children/fulfilling_potential.html) highlighted areas where changes could be made that would make libraries more compelling. An outline of these changes include modernisation of style, enhanced environment, location/access, variety and separation, comfort, classes, multimedia activity, recent stock, electronic access, and assistance/support. In order for libraries to attract, retain and develop, the “product” must be changed dramatically and this needs to be an ongoing development. In her article, Corradini discusses a small research study on the experiences, expectations and perspectives of teens in an Italian town about library services. Findings include that the various stakeholders of the library (funders, administrators, educators, carers, parents, librarians) can each provide a valuable contribution in the development of services for teens, but the biggest help should come from the teens themselves in that they represent an important age group, open to new ideas and advancements.

A recent Ofsted report Good School Libraries: Making A Difference to Learning (www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=pubs.summary&id=4170) set out to look at 32 good school libraries and to learn their secrets of success. Findings of the report included that a well-trained, specialist librarian is the factor most likely to fuel improvement in a school library. In the best schools, librarians were regarded as important middle managers and encouraged to work closely with other members of staff. However, the most significant element is a head teacher who is committed and supportive. Turner’s article synthesises key information available about the management of independent secondary school libraries in England and Wales. This literature review identifies key works, including national and international guidelines for best practice on school librarianship, existing research, the role of the school library manager and select key current issues. Many of these works relate to general school librarianship and are also pertinent to the management of independent school libraries.

A recent report Public Libraries – Destination Unknown was commissioned by Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and funded by the Laser Foundation and Museums, Libraries & Archives Council (MLA). The Laser Foundation commented that the findings of the report are essential reading for future debate and strategic decision making in planning for a robust future. The report warns that that negative perceptions of libraries are fairly deeply entrenched and that modernised and revitalised libraries will not necessarily be noticed or overcome existing negative perceptions. The report provides various suggestions including a range of marketing activities. In her article, Sheppard discusses changes which can impact on the future of the public library. She highlights examples of the impact of technology, such as peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, to underscore opportunities for progression while emphasising that time-honoured values, which are a the heart of library services, and the well-known and recognised “sense of purpose” should be maintained.

Quality standards exist throughout information work, and the UK-based Intranet Benchmarking Forum (IBF) is involved in the production of a code of practice. The new code of practice is a formal, external way to show that an organisation’s intranet has a certain level of compliance. The code will cover the four areas of design and usability, business value, communication and culture, and strategy and governance and there will be four levels of compliance. A full BSI or ISO standard may take place later. The use of ISO 9000 standards for the introduction of quality management in information services is the focus of the article by Valls and Vergueiro. This is a comprehensive literature review, which describes several practical experiences and theoretical studies. The main benefits, concerns and difficulties of the use of ISO 9000 are presented and discussed, and its application in Brazilian information services is emphasised.

Google has commented that it is not a challenge to the librarian function because their business model is not based on access to content but on the secondary information besides the research results. Google wants librarians as partners, and for its library collaborators has created a tool enabling them to cross-reference to their libraries’ books (www.google.com/librariannewsletter). Pedersen’s article concerns reflections on librarians’professional identity. Library collections are discussed, with focus on the fact that libraries do not have to be thought of in terms of collection, but rather in terms of purposes and core activities which have no standard definition. Pedersen suggests that librarians’ tools are examined and evaluated as indications of librarians’ daily activities.

Linda Ashcroft