Ian M. Johnson

Impact evaluation, professional practice, and policy making

This paper examines the relationship between research into the evaluation of the impact of library and information services, policy making in the field, and professional practice and education. The paper first summarises the background to a recent critical literature review undertaken on behalf of Resource: the Council on Museums, Archives and Libraries. The review was intended to identify any published evidence that Museums, Archives and Libraries are making a contributory impact to developments in the British Government’s key policy areas. Except in the field of learning, little supporting evidence was found. Methodological weakness undermined the validity of much of the related work identified by the review. After considering approaches to ensuring the impact of research on policy making, including a more appropriate publication strategy and greater face‐to‐face dialogue, the paper discusses the attitudes of LIS practitioners towards academic research and the need for closer collaboration. Finally, the paper speculates on some of the implications for LIS educators in developing future researchers better equipped to identify the contribution that libraries make, and more effective in influencing policy makers.

Challenges in developing professionals for the “information society”: and some responses by the British schools of librarianship and information studies

This paper identifies six major challenges facing the information profession as the “information society” emerges: assisting users to deal with information overload; the high level of technical skills required to manage the new information and communication technologies; the competition with other professions for the management positions in converged library, information, and computing services; the need to incorporate a broader range of knowledge and skills, drawn from those traditionally seen as separate sectors of the information industry such as publishing; the need to develop a higher level of skills in teaching and facilitating the use of information; and the need for a greater ability to work with other people. It points to some solutions which have been adopted by schools of librarianship in the UK, many of them involving collaboration with other disciplines to produce the required depth of knowledge. It also calls for changes in the schools’ approach to teaching, learning, and research, and in the practitioner community’s support for education in general and continuing professional development in particular. Finally, it points to the dangers of inertia.

The role of associations of information and library education in teaching and research: recent and potential developments in Britain and Europe.

This paper considers the development of associa tions of Schools of Librarianship and Information Sciences, illustrated by recent experiences in Britain and Europe, and examines their potential future contribution. It discusses in general terms the need for the Schools to establish a vehicle for collective action, and notes the origins of BAILER: the British Association for Information and Library Education and Research, and of EUCLID: the European Association for Library and Information Education and Research. It reviews the potential for associations of Schools to play a part in staff development, in student development, and in developing the discipline and its standing. It describes the activities of BAILER and EUCLID in facilitating information exchanges between member Schools, and in supporting international conferences. It discusses the potential and actual use of Information and Communications Technologies in the work of the associations, and briefly considers other operational issues such as membership involvement and financial support.

Challenges in assisting schools of librarianship and information studies in developing countries A perspective from research in Latin America

Purpose – This paper aims to review traditional forms of international support for developing schools of librarianship and information sciences, and traditional approaches.Design/methodology/approach – The review draws evidence from the literature and the authors extensive international experience.Findings – The study notes that the traditional approaches have not been entirely successful, and that the sources of support for these approaches are changing. In the light of the growth in the number of schools in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, it suggests that traditional approaches may not be practicable. Alternative approaches suggested in the past have included making teaching materials available, including access to them over the internet, but these may be no more appropriate or practicable. The paper then draws on recent research into the emergence of electronic publishing in Latin America. Whilst there are still flaws in the electronic publishing system, it may suggest...

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity – using a case study to identify Critical Success Factors contributing to the initiation of international collaborative projects

This paper aims to identify factors that contribute to the successful initiation of international collaborative projects that are intended to support the development of education for librarianship and information sciences. The paper, first, discusses the widespread failure to analyse the Critical Success Factors in international collaborative projects. It proposes case study methodology to identify these factors through an analysis of the decision by the European Commissions ALFA Programme to support REVISTAS, a study of the feasibility of digitising all the Spanish and Portuguese journals in the field of librarianship and information sciences, particularly those published in Latin America. To contextualise the proposal, it discusses the development of the ˜Information Society in Latin America, and the key role attributed to libraries and librarians. It then examines problems that have been noted in the development of education and practice in librarianship and information sciences in the region, and in journal publishing for the profession, the availability of indexing and abstracting services, and the utility of document delivery services. It presents an outline of the authors initial research into the underlying challenges, and outlines the development of the international partnership that will deliver the planned outcomes of the REVISTAS project. Finally, the paper analyses the issues that have contributed to the establishment of this cooperative effort, and the limitations of this study.

Catching the tide: environmental pressures for an emphasis on management in the library and information sciences curriculum

This paper considers the impact of the emerging “information society” on the education and development of information professionals, particularly in the area of management. It identifies those features of the “information society” which are significant for teaching and learning: the new information and communication technologies; users’ growing expectations of information services; the changing job market; and convergence in the information sector. It outlines some steps which schools of library and information sciences in the UK have taken to respond to the challenges presented by the new environment: revising the existing curriculum and teaching methods; expanding the range of curricula; and improved support for continuing professional development. It describes some obstacles to progress: particularly the lack of research into the value of information; isolation from other disciplines, such as political science; potential challenges from business schools; and the shortcomings of current distance learning provision.Introduction

SLISNET - UNESCO's experiment in virtual networking between Schools of Librarianship and Information Sciences.

This paper examines the origins and activities of SLISNET - an international network of Schools of Librarianship and Information Sciences, established by UNESCO in 1995 as an experiment in collaboration across the Internet. SLISNET has a Web site, a discussion list, and members committed to various other activities to develop teaching and research related to the electronic library environment. The paper puts the aims and activities of the network in the broader context of collaboration between Schools, and international technical cooperation programmes. Using the aims of these activities, it reviews SLISNETs progress to date, and proposes some suggestions for future development.

Peering into the mist and struggling through it - the education and training of the future information professional.

Article prompted by an editorial published in Education for Information , 14, (2) July 1996, 83-4. Outlines some of the responses being made by library schools to changes affecting the library and information science (LIS) profession, including: changes in the place of information in society; availability and sophistication of information technology; changing nature of the information and communication industry; and the added complexities that these have brought to the task of maintaining and developing information services. Focuses on UK library schools’ activities aimed at: updating their curricula and courses to develop the necessary technical competencies; planning for the growing needs of management and leadership skills; determining how best LIS practitioners can assist.

Electronic Document Delivery in Academic and Research Organizations in the Gulf States: a case study in Kuwait

Outlines the nature of research and publishing in Arabic, the attempts to encourage resource sharing in the Arab Gulf States, the existing arrangements for interlibrary lending and the development of electronic document delivery systems that facilitate interlibrary lending. A case study examined the availability of relevant technology and personnel with appropriate expertise in three major libraries in Kuwait: Kuwait University, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, and the National Scientific and Technical Information Center. Questionnaires and interviews, intended to assess staff attitudes and perceptions, were used to examine the reasons why the Ariel system of Electronic Document Delivery appeared to have not yet been adopted, although it has been increasingly used in other parts of the world for more than 10 years. The paper notes that the adoption of this new technology in Kuwait is supported in principle, but is hindered by lack of awareness, skills and motivation, and speculates about the wider implications for the Gulf States.

Management education in Latin America and the Caribbean

This paper examines some issues relating to the development in Latin America and the Caribbean of the managerial expertise that underpins the modernisation of library and information services. It reports on part of a joint IFLA/FID project, principally funded by the UNESCO Participation Programme, and reviews results from two surveys. One obtained responses from Schools of Librarianship and Information Sciences in the region, providing data on the priorities they attach to elements of their management curriculum, and teaching methods. The other gathered data from employers on their awareness of modern management techniques, their management development needs and approaches, and their perceptions of the management education available. The results of the two surveys are compared and considered, and some proposals are made for addressing issues raised. Whilst the Schools appear to be meeting the employers’ key requirements, there is still some degree of mismatch between employers’ expectations and Schools’ priorities, but the Schools are open to change and a constructive dialogue is advocated. It is also suggested that more attention needs to be given to staff development and to the provision of supporting continuing education programmes to raise the level of management knowledge and expertise, and that the international organisations should consider encouraging the production and exchange of teaching materials. A major challenge for the Schools will be to overcome the traditionally rigid disciplinary boundaries within the Universities to collaborate on new course developments.