June 2023 Editorial

Abstract

Welcome to the June 2023 issue of the Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association (JALIA). This issue contains a research paper, three research-in-practice papers and two information-in-practice papers. It is wonderful to have a range of paper types in JALIA including practice-based research and papers reporting on initiatives or projects in practice, along with full research papers, each providing examples for evidence-based library and information practice. In addition, the issue contains two obituaries which honour two great contributors to the library and information profession and discipline, Dr Edward (Ted) Flowers (Mitcheson, 2023), and Emeritus Professor Dr Don Schauder (Monash University, 2023). As usual, the issue is rounded off with 12 useful book reviews. The research paper by Kirsten Thorpe (2023) titled ‘Recognising the Gaps: A Study on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Representation in Australian Libraries’ builds on research supported by an Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Research Grant. The full report is available online (Thorpe, 2021) and like the paper published here discusses the outcomes of a National Survey on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment in Australian Libraries, conducted from 2020 to 2021. The research provided a snapshot of the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed in Australian libraries and identifies the current employment types across various library settings. It describes trends in current employment and identifies gaps to understand more about the experiences of Indigenous people working in libraries across Australia. This paper reflects on the research findings over two key areas, (1) Indigenous library workers yarning about their employment and (2) the lack of Indigenous employment and the impact on cultural safety. Strengths of the paper and the report are the emphasis on enabling the interviewees’ voices to be heard and that it provides the Australian library and information professions a roadmap for change. The first research-in-practice paper; ‘Users’ Experiences in a Regional Academic Library Makerspace’ by Bell et al. (2023) from the University of Southern Queensland explores users’ experiences of participation and perceptions of value across three usage types in the Makerspace: Course curriculum, extracurricular and research. To understand users’ experiences analysis produced themes providing a narrative of users’ participation that started with tentative curiosity and hesitancy around using the Makerspace, but ultimately saw participants finding value in new perspectives and skills. Another research-in-practice paper by Rebecca Muir (2023) titled ‘From data to insights: Developing a tool to enhance our decision making using reflexive thematic analysis and qualitative evidence’ discusses how to analyse qualitative data such as user feedback to inform decision making. To support the use of evidence in decision making, Muir proposes the development of personal data analysis ‘tools’ which can offer a transparent structure to guide data analysis, while also providing a learning and reflection framework for ongoing development. The paper guides the reader through the construction of a minimalistic tool for analysing qualitative evidence for use in personal or organisational LIS decision making, informed by pragmatism and reflexive thematic analysis.