Australian Public Libraries Research Articles

The Hidden Toll: Exploring the Impact of Challenging Patron Behaviors on Australian Public Library Staff

ABSTRACT As a public-facing profession, public library workers are often exposed to challenging behaviors that raise concern for their safety. To understand these concerns, this study explores these staff safety issues in Australian public libraries through semi-structured interviews with 59 staff members from six library services. Findings reveal that library workers frequently encounter challenging and sometimes violent behaviors from patrons. These incidents impact staff wellbeing, causing stress, anxiety, and potential long-term psychological effects. Many workers receive insufficient workplace support following traumatic incidents, leading to internalization of the trauma the experiences cause. The study highlights the need for improved institutional support and better safety measures. It also recognizes the tension created by libraries’ open-door policies, which may expose workers to potential harm.

We Collect ‘Everything’: A Case Study of a Local Studies Collection in an Australian Public Library

ABSTRACT This paper describes research exploring a local studies collection in an Australian public library. It includes the current collecting practices and paradigms and their impact on what is added to this collection. This research was to discover how contemporary content, including items from rapid response collecting are incorporated in a local studies collection. It uses a social justice approach to investigate how current collecting practices represent the whole of the community in a public library local studies collection to provide multiple stories and perspectives. Ethnography was the research method used to enable in-depth understanding of the collecting practices of one public library. The results of the research show a tendency for library staff to rarely say no to unsolicited donations, as well as a focus on emotional and decision making based on relationships. This led to donations based on relationships and the risk of collecting from cliques and resulted in an increased cataloguing backlog for the local studies collection. The conclusion is that for more of the community to be represented in a public library local studies collection, changes in collecting practices need to be undertaken to include a social justice focus.

Romance Genre and Collection Management in Australia and New Zealand Public Libraries

ABSTRACT Despite focusing on stories that end happily ever after, the romance genre and public libraries have a difficult history. Many library’s acquisition policies include the purchasing of romances for the collection and even provide a percentage of the funds to romances. Other libraries purchase a small number of romances but there are some that are only collected via donation. The collection development of romance is not clear-cut. Cataloguing of romance novels shows that not all books have full catalogue records nor are certain types of romances even considered worthy of being listed in the catalogue. The catalogue is about the discoverability of materials (all formats) for the customers. This research explores the purchasing, collection development and cataloguing practices of romance novels in Australian and New Zealand public libraries. A survey was sent to the public library staff responsible for collection development in Australia and New Zealand. Questions about collection development and cataloguing were then combined with data derived from catalogue searches of romance novel titles in a sample of public libraries in a mixed-method approach to explore the perceptions and practices within public libraries in Australia and New Zealand.

Australian public libraries during the COVID-19 crisis: operations, management and service provision

PurposeThe purpose of this research was to investigate how Australian public libraries responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of management, planning and communication. The study also investigated operational approaches to the development and implementation of new and adapted models of service and resource delivery.Design/methodology/approachUtilising a multiple qualitative case study approach, interviews were conducted with 15 Australian public library staff members at three library services – one inner-city, one regional and one remote. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to generate insights into the operations and management strategies employed during the COVID-19 crisis.FindingsFindings suggest that public library managers performed admirably in the face of significant logistical, budgetary and regulatory challenges. Five key themes emerged to represent the ways in which public library leaders responded effectively to the crisis: resourcefulness, flexibility, presence, sensitivity and communication. Results also demonstrate the importance placed on library users’ welfare.Originality/valueThis research represents the first study to focus on the response of Australian public library managers to the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the strategies employed by library leaders to respond effectively. In doing so this research provides valuable insights into how public library managers can prepare for future crises.

Public Libraries and People Experiencing Homelessness: The Experiences and Attitudes of Library Workers

With the rise in numbers of people experiencing homelessness in our cities, towns and regions, public libraries are seeing an increase in visits from members of this community. Public library staff are increasingly required to assist and work with people experiencing homelessness, often with little training and without the guidance of policy documents to advise them. This article reports on a survey of Australian public library staff who were asked about their experiences in, and attitudes toward working with this community. The article finds public library staff are frequently working with people experiencing homelessness. Although library staff largely believe working with this community is part of their role, they also report feeling unsafe at work, and a belief that the presence of people experiencing homelessness in libraries can be detrimental to other library users.

Digital Literacy Programs in Support of Diverse Communities – An Australian Public Library Approach

ABSTRACT Public libraries play a vital role in developing and facilitating digital literacy programs for diverse communities. Digital literacy skills are important because they enable access to information and engagement with government and support services that are increasingly provided online. This paper reviews literature and library programs world-wide to identify good practice in developing and facilitating digital literacy programs. It also presents our findings from a case study illustrating the practice of Hume Libraries, an Australian public library recognised for its leadership in digital literacy programs in support of diverse communities. Results from the review alongside interviews and a focus group with Hume Libraries staff informed the development of a framework to support the successful development and facilitation of digital literacy programs for diverse communities. The framework presents tasks in a checklist format for practitioners to consider when they develop, facilitate and enhance digital literacy programs for diverse communities.

The lived experience of Australian public library staff during the COVID-19 library closures

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the lived experiences of Australian public library staff during the COVID-19 library closures. The study examines the effect of mandated physical library closures on staff well-being, along with the challenges they faced as library operations moved to a remotely delivered model. The paper includes an examination of staff perceptions of their library's value in the lives of their users.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were undertaken with 15 Australian library staff from three library networks. A process of inductive coding resulted in a thematic description of the participants' experiences of continuing to work during a period of where their libraries were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.FindingsAustralian public library workers experienced many challenges that affected their well-being during the period of library closures. These included challenges relating to moving library programming to a virtual delivery model, managing significant change in their work lives, managing the emotions of self and others, and concern for the well-being of library users. Positive outcomes relating to skill development and innovative thinking were also reported.Originality/valueThe operational responses to the COVID-19 library closures in Australia and elsewhere have been well reported. This paper takes a different approach by examining the emotional and well-being outcomes for public library staff during these periods of closure.

Serving Their Communities: An Analysis of Australian Public Library Mission Statements

To understand the roles that Australian public libraries are aiming to play in their communities, mission statements from a sample of fifty public library networks were extracted from their corporate documents and subjected to both quantitative and qualitative content analysis. The five broader roles most commonly articulated were to facilitate learning and discovery, to increase social connectedness, to provide spaces and places, to provide access to information and resources, and to facilitate inclusion and celebrate diversity. Overall, the mission of Australian public libraries focuses more on learning and community building than on their traditional function of information access provision.

‘The challenge now is for us to remain relevant’: Australian public libraries and the COVID-19 crisis

The COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on public libraries around the world. In Australia, almost all public libraries experienced some period of building closure, requiring libraries to adapt their services and delivery models. This article reports findings from a large-scale survey of public library managers in Australia, which was conducted in August 2020. In particular, it presents the results of a thematic analysis of the participants’ free-text responses to open questions asked as part of the survey. This analysis reveals important insights relating to responses to library closures, staffing issues, new and expanded services and programmes, relationships with parent bodies, and the role of public libraries during the crisis and beyond. While public libraries are perceived by managers to have been agile and adaptable, and to have utilised technology effectively, the findings clearly demonstrate the value to users of library buildings, with important consequences for understanding the role of public libraries.

An exploration of public libraries as dementia friendly places

Dementia can be a lonely, stigmatising and isolating illness. People living with dementia and their carers want to remain connected with their local communities and feel safe, welcome and valued. A growing community awareness of dementia has borne the concept of dementia friendliness and dementia friendly communities.Core features of dementia friendly communities are supportive, inclusive, welcoming and safe environments. Public libraries are widely valued as safe, accessible and welcoming community assets and in this sense are well placed to be part of dementia friendly communities. This study has sought to understand how publiclibraries contribute to Australian dementia friendly communities. A mixed methods approach with a sequential exploratory design was employed to answer two distinct questions: firstly, how are individual needs of patrons living with dementia and their carers being met; and second, is there alignment between dementia friendly public libraries and the ALIA Framework for Australian Public Libraries. From a review of international and Australian literature, features of dementia friendly public libraries were codified along two facets—services and enabling environments.
 This study found that dementia friendly public libraries offered a suite of services and enabling environments that benefit people living with dementia and their carers. Collectively, they enable social capital and contribute to personal development and wellbeing, informed and connected citizens, and ultimately stronger more inclusive communities—achieving five of the six ALIA outcome measures. Public libraries located in dementia friendly communities provided similar benefits, although some inconsistencies were evident with a shift to age-friendliness. Dementia friendliness is a reflective movement and public libraries in dementia friendly communities must continue to respond to the needs of that community. There was an absence of strategic planning by the public libraries assessed to provide for such need, and thus targeted, collaborative planning could be considered to enhance dementia friendliness and inclusivity.

A Framework for Australian Universities and Public Libraries Supporting Regional, Rural and Remote Students

ABSTRACT University students living in regional, rural and remote (RRR) communities of Australia face unique challenges including geographical isolation, lack of access to face-to-face support, and technological barriers. This paper outlines a project funded by the Australian Government’s Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program that was undertaken by five universities with significant enrolments of students from low socio-economic backgrounds living in RRR communities. The project established a Framework for Australian Universities and Public Libraries Supporting Regional, Rural and Remote Students that provides a set of strategic recommendations that will guide the development of accessible, relevant and sustainable study and learning support to meet the needs of low socio-economic students living in RRR communities. This national project provided a unique opportunity for Australia’s universities and public libraries to work together in order to ‘future proof’ the education of students from low socio-economic backgrounds living in regional and remote communities.

Australian Public Library Staff Living through a Pandemic: Personal Experience of Serving the Community

ABSTRACT The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic forced public library staff to rapidly rethink the services they offered as lockdown restrictions meant that libraries as social venues briefly came to an end. Online content was developed overnight to fill the void. This study examines the impact that the contactless operational model has had on library services across Australia, as seen through the eyes of eight public library staff. The qualitative study contributes in-depth data to scant literature about public libraries and the pandemic in an Australian context. The study highlights the value of libraries to the community. The need for in-person contact is discussed in terms of future service design in library and information practice.

‘Steady Ships’ in the COVID-19 Crisis: Australian Public Library Responses to the Pandemic

ABSTRACT This paper reports on part one of a multi-part research project investigating Australian public library responses to the requirement to close their physical sites due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The aim was to examine how Australian public libraries responded to the crisis during their periods of closure in terms of services and resources, the challenges they faced, and the role locality played in their response. In total, 212 public library authority managers completed an online questionnaire survey in August 2020 representing 695 public library branch locations. The results showed that during their periods of closure of their physical sites, libraries established new services (e.g. wellbeing phone calls, delivery of craft kits to users) and expanded several existing ones, especially those related to e-resources. The biggest challenge reported was managing staff working arrangements. While most libraries kept permanent staff and fixed-term staff on full hours, most completely cut volunteers and casual staff hours. There were some geographic differences in the response of libraries to the crisis. Overall, however, whilst metropolitan, regional and remote public libraries faced immense challenges, especially regarding staffing and human resources, they were also able to respond rapidly and with agility to the challenges brought about by COVID-19.

Representations of Asia in Western Australian Public Library Collections

ABSTRACT This research examines Western Australian (WA) public library collections and the representations of Asia in these collections. Serving the needs of the general public within a certain geographic area, public libraries collect materials in all formats and genres based on institutional priorities related to community or user needs and interests. This paper presents findings from a 2019 survey and series of interviews with librarians from WA public libraries to find out more about their collections by examining two types of materials: (1) items about Asia and, (2) items in Asian languages. The key findings are as follows: (1) relatively little attention is paid to cultural representations of the community in the development collections in WA’s public libraries (2) LOTE (Languages other than English) materials make up a small percentage of WA public libraries’ overall collections; and (3) representations of Asia within the collections are associated thematically with migrant support, travel destinations, cool Asia, and food cultures. This study makes a contribution to research and practice in this area by employing an interdisciplinary approach using cultural studies, library and information studies frameworks, introducing new ways of thinking about these collections and how library materials connect to cultural identity.

Social Work in Australian Public Libraries: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Social Justice

ABSTRACT Public library staff are increasingly required to work with members of the public with high social needs. Public libraries are places of sanctuary and connection for people experiencing challenges such as homelessness, poverty, mental illness, domestic violence and substance abuses. In recognizing their role to serve the needs of all people who enter their buildings, public library staff are often asked to work outside their areas of expertise to meet the needs of community members. Public library staff can experience feeling overwhelmed and anxious when working with this community, often wanting to help but not knowing where the boundary between providing support and undermining the self-determination of the individual lies, and not knowing what resources and services would best meet the needs of these visitors. To assist patrons with high social needs and library staff, the City of Melbourne Libraries followed an approach now common in the United States of America, but largely untested in Australia by working with a local housing group to place a social worker in their City Library. This article explores the early work of the Library Social Worker as she engaged with library patrons and provided training to library staff. Using statistics and case notes that describe her activities and their outcomes, we can see that although this practice is new for the Australian public library system, the placement of a social worker into a busy urban library has significant benefits to both patrons in need and the staff who work with them.

Information in Crisis: Analysing the Future Roles of Public Libraries during and post-COVID-19

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to public library services and systems in Australia and around the world. The social, cultural, economic and commercial impacts of the pandemic will require creativity and adaptability at both an individual and organisational level, with ‘business as usual’ no longer an option for many. This paper discusses innovations that have been introduced to maintain relevance, connect with vulnerable communities beyond the library branch, and encourage online engagement while patrons are in extended lockdowns or otherwise COVID-affected and isolated. It proposes that issues that may arise after the initial pandemic response and ways in which they may be addressed by Australian public libraries, for example ensuring safety and efficiency of continued public library services, monitoring research into the infection risk and cleanliness of surfaces as relating to library materials, following changing government guidelines and regulations, and potentially agitating for further funding to meet these changing needs. The challenges and opportunities are varied during these uncertain times, but public libraries retain their core mission to support digital literacies and act as gateways to information. Research and innovation lead by library staff can and should ensure that this continues into the future.

Aging in a Digital Society: Exploring How Canadian and Australian Public Library Systems Program for Older Adults

ABSTRACT Amid global population aging and technological advancement, this article seeks to support public librarians in innovating programs for older adults. It compares how Canadian and Australian public libraries approach this task using environmental scans and thematic analyses within both countries. Findings reveal that Canadian and Australian librarians similarly seek to craft programs that target the informational interests of older adults, increase digital literacy, mitigate social isolation, and combat ageism by means of community engagement, strategic partnerships, and experimentation. Findings highlight similar approaches to overcoming programming challenges and differences in how they market older adult specific programs.

Finding the Space Between: Leading for Cultural Safety in Australian Public Libraries

ABSTRACT This paper reviews the research literature in Library and Information Sciences in Australia as well as related disciplines in Australia and internationally with the purpose of identifying leadership approaches best suited for developing and supporting culturally safe libraries in Australia. The paper identifies a lack of debate within Australian Library and Information Sciences in respect to cultural safety and leadership. It looks to research conducted into leadership approaches in related disciplines in Australia and internationally and explores several leadership approaches. It concludes that the intercultural leadership approach, an approach developed with Aboriginal Australians in the Northern Territory provides Australian library leaders with the most authoritative approach to leadership when embarking on developing culturally safe libraries. Implications for practice also suggest that increasing discussion and research into leadership approaches for Australian libraries is fundamental to growing the capacity of the Australian library sector to conceptualise and discuss leadership strategically and with purpose.

The Impact of Humanoid Robots on Australian Public Libraries

ABSTRACT ‘Humanoid robots’ or ‘social robots’ are an emerging generation of robots that have abilities to perceive their environment, recognise faces, read emotions and communicate with people. They have been introduced into Australian public libraries over the past few years but their impact on library practice has remained unknown. This research therefore aims to fill this gap. It explores the influence of these robots on Australian public libraries through the view of librarians and the experience of library clients. Ten in-depth individual interviews with librarians in Australian public libraries, who are directly involved in designing and running humanoid robot programmes, were carried out. Observations of interaction between library patrons and humanoid robots at five events in five public libraries were also conducted. Interview transcripts and field notes were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. The analysis revealed four themes describing the way humanoid robots impact Australian public libraries. Humanoid robots are considered as a community builder, a teacher, an aide, and a challenger. This research provides an evidence-based understanding that supports the research, planning and implementation of humanoid robot initiatives in Australian public libraries in order to enhance the experience of library user communities.

Managing Change in University Libraries in the 21st Century: An Australian Perspective

ABSTRACT Managing change is documented as a critical issue for all organisations. Due to its complexity, a clear understanding of how university libraries can meet this challenge is yet to emerge. As libraries experience significant disruption as a result of technological development driving change, this qualitative research study advances a conceptual framework, based on relevant existing literature, for performance improvement. The research identified resources, relevance, stakeholders, strategy, government policy, and university infrastructure as contributing elements to effectively manage change in Australian public sector university libraries. This paper builds on this analysis to identify a shift in Australian university library management style and construct frameworks that may address challenges of change for these organisations.