EBLIP in the 2.0 world - reflective practice unlocking the door to innovation

Lisa Cotter
Northern Sydney Central Coast Health /The University of Newcastle
Gillian Wood
NSW Health Department
SLIDESHOW (includes speaker notes)

OBJECTIVE
Two of the recent major challenges to traditional library practice have been evidence-based library and information practice (EBLIP) and Library 2.0, yet these concepts may be put at opposite ends of the innovation scale. EBLIP is concerned with using the best available evidence, and wherever possible – research evidence, to make informed decisions to achieve best practice. Library 2.0 on the other hand, challenges us to look beyond standard practice, “play”, and give new things a go (including the technological opportunities Web 2.0 has presented us). Is there a place for EBLIP in the brave new 2.0 world?

DISCUSSION
The barriers to fully engaging with new technologies are many. Arguably, the most challenging barrier to overcome is not financial, nor the continuing need to acquire new skills – but is the challenge of changing organisational culture and policy. Despite an innovative will, librarians must tackle the IT department before implementing many new services intended to be “where the user is, when the user is there” (Abram 2006). Pleas for support and offers of chocolate laden morning teas will (almost) never succeed alone. When conservative culture and policy are contested, while maintaining an open dialogue with IT departments, librarians must also substantiate proposals with evidence.

METHOD
A first step in compiling the necessary evidence is to establish a clear understanding of the issues faced. The MLA Task Force on Social Networking Software have recently undertaken a survey of its members investigating use of and attitudes towards Web 2.0 technologies. An initiative of Libraries Using Evidence - eblip.net.au and NSWHealth will see this investigation extended to Australian health librarians.

CONCLUSION
This presentation will discuss the relevance of evidence-based library and information practice in an environment enthused by the possibilities of Library 2.0. It will discuss one example of this interaction – a study looking for the evidence to reveal use of and attitudes towards Web 2.0 technologies.


Abram, S. (2006, January). Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and Librarian 2.0: Preparing for the 2.0 World. Retrieved August, 2006, from http://www.imakenews.com/sirsi/e_article000505688.cfm

Libraries Using Evidence – eblip.net.au : a top view from Down Under

POSTER

Suzanne Lewis
Northern Sydney Central Coast Health
Lisa Cotter
Northern Sydney Central Coast Health /The University of Newcastle

The poster was originally accepted for presentation at the 4th International Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Conference (EBLIP4, North Carolina, May 2007) to which ultimately, the authors were unable to attend. However, the NSW Health Libraries Forum 2007 provides an ideal opportunity to finally share this work with our peers.

This year marks the ten-year anniversary of the term “evidence-based librarianship”. In 1997 this concept began its ascent from a discussion among likeminded library professionals into the published literature. It has continued to rise through the profession to occupy a place in the mainstream and afford librarians an enhanced view of the landscape in which they make decisions.

Similarly, Down Under in Sydney, Australia, people have, for 75 years, crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge the traditional way – along the eight-lane carriageway. Around the same time that Jonathan Eldredge’s Hypothesis article introduced “evidence-based librarianship” (11:3, pp.4-7), another pioneer was establishing BridgeClimb – an exciting new challenge with a fantastic view from the top, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge via the steel arch. Today, EBLIP practitioners are like the BridgeClimbers – ready to seek new perspectives, take a different route and enjoy the journey as well as achieving the destination. Adventurous BridgeClimbers ascend/cross the steel arch with confidence, supported by a well engineered structure and strong foundations.

Libraries Using Evidence – eblip.net.au offers a similarly solid foundation of authoritative resources to support EBLIP practitioners as they seek different perspectives on their professional practice.