Bernadette Welch

Learning Spaces in Academic Libraries – A Review of the Evolving Trends

This paper presents a review of the professional discourse regarding the evolution of information and learning spaces in academic libraries, particularly in the first decade of the twenty-first century. It investigates the evolution of academic libraries and the development of learning spaces focusing on the use of the terms which have evolved from the information commons concept. The literature review is primarily guided by an effort to make clearly visible the connections and distinctions between different models for the use of space in academic libraries for delivering information and learning services, up to the very recent occurrence of “maker spaces”. Attention is given to the language used to describe the different models and to changing historical factors, purposes, pedagogical influences, and attributes of each model for better recognition of shifts and emerging trends.

Passionate Practitioners: Engaging Not Just the Head but also the Heart.

This conceptual paper will discuss how Australian library and information science (LIS) educators have adapted passion-based learning theory for the post-graduate environment. The learning environment has been developed to both facilitate the acquisition of short-term employability skills for the industry and also to allow students to connect more deeply with the rich and diverse culture of their new profession and wider LIS community.

Crossing borders: Evaluating a work integrated learning project involving Australian and Vietnamese students

The value of work integrated learning (WIL) is well-established in the education of information management (IM) professionals. Adding value to WIL through cross-cultural or cross-disciplinary experiences is considered in this article. Using online communication, simulation activities, and onsite work, students from RMIT Melbourne and RMIT Ho Chi Minh City were involved in planning, negotiating, and delivering specific projects in the Da Nang General Hospital (DNGH) in Vietnam as part of their WIL . Evaluation of the whole project was undertaken through the collection of data from an online survey which rated the importance and performance of specific elements of the project. Feedback from focus group interviews was also collected and has informed the evaluation. The analysis of the data revealed positive participant perceptions of the outcomes of the project and its importance which may be taken into consideration by similar cross-cultural projects.

Libraries and LIS education in Vietnam: a view from the outside

Purpose – Documenting some of the developments in libraries, and LIS education in Vietnam, this paper aims to suggest directions for achieving goals of education, collaboration, policy development, and access to resources in this rapidly developing country.Design/methodology/approach – The report is based on an extensive literature review of available English language material together with information obtained from structured interviews with a group of LIS professionals in Vietnam. These data support an analysis of current initiatives, programs and developments taking place in the different library sectors in Vietnam.Findings – Significant developments have occurred in Vietnam in terms of national policy agendas and development of the internet backbone. The pace of change, particularly in the national and university sectors, has been dramatic but the pace of change at other levels is somewhat slower. Community development, access to electronic resources, and education of information professionals are ide...

Perceptions of LIS development in Vietnam: Educational outcomes and the way forward

The authors have been involved in the design and delivery of several LIS training and education programs in Vietnam in recent years. This activity has led them to become aware of library developments and initiatives taking place within Vietnam, and of issues that will affect future development of the library and information industry. Some of these developments have been documented, primarily in English language sources. The literature review in this article has attempted to draw together these sources to present a summary of library development in Vietnam to the present time. In order to collect input from Vietnamese information professionals currently in the workforce, in early 2008 ten young information professionals who were undertaking postgraduate studies in education and librarianship were interviewed. Their viewpoints on the critical factors in library development in Vietnam over the next decade are discussed in this article. Information about current library initiatives was also provided to the authors and is reported on, supplementing that which appears elsewhere in the literature. Realistic options for the Vietnamese library and information industry are discussed, together with a framework for the assistance that could be provided by the international library community.

Engaging with our future: the role of educators, practitioners, professional associations and employing organisations in the co-creation of information professionals*

Abstract This article considers the shared role of library and information studies (LIS) educators, practitioners, employing organisations and the professional associations in the development of LIS graduates and new professionals. The application of a passion-based approach to student learning, and the encouragement of ‘scholarly citizenship’ in students, helps to develop graduates who are already engaged with, passionate about and committed to the profession they are about to enter. However, new professionals need to be further enculturated into the profession and practice of LIS and nurtured in order for their passion to be sustained and good professional and organisational ‘citizenship’ developed. Passion and engagement are closely connected with good citizenship in the academy, workplace and profession where citizenship is a willingness to contribute beyond the usual requirements of participation, employment or membership. This article first describes why people enter the information professions and then presents a variety of strategies for academic programs and the information profession to develop the values of passion, engagement and citizenship in new professionals.

Knowledge management and information management : Convergence and future directions

This paper explores the educational competencies that are required by new graduates entering knowledge-based industries. The competencies are examined in light of the changing and converging roles of information management and knowledge management.