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Richard Sayers - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • a smart place in the sun future proofing the queensland Government Libraries consortium
    Library Management, 2004
    Co-Authors: Richard Sayers
    Abstract:

    The Queensland Government Libraries Consortium can claim to be one of Australia's more successful special library consortia in recent years, with a stable core membership of 14 library services, and combined savings to the Queensland Government of over A$1M in the 2002‐2003 financial year. This paper identifies critical success factors for the consortium to date, and looks to present and future challenges at a time when no organisation can afford to take continued existence, let alone success, for granted. In 2002, consortium members began looking strategically at how their organisation should be working to future‐proof services, and expertise. This process of internal review is still very much a work in progress, and continues to pose as many questions as it answers. It has, however, focused the attention on four issues of critical concern to the consortium: corporate governance, size, scope of functions, and recognition. Solutions implemented to date may serve as useful case studies for other consortia.

  • A smart place in the sun: future‐proofing the Queensland Government Libraries Consortium
    Library Management, 2004
    Co-Authors: Richard Sayers
    Abstract:

    The Queensland Government Libraries Consortium can claim to be one of Australia's more successful special library consortia in recent years, with a stable core membership of 14 library services, and combined savings to the Queensland Government of over A$1M in the 2002‐2003 financial year. This paper identifies critical success factors for the consortium to date, and looks to present and future challenges at a time when no organisation can afford to take continued existence, let alone success, for granted. In 2002, consortium members began looking strategically at how their organisation should be working to future‐proof services, and expertise. This process of internal review is still very much a work in progress, and continues to pose as many questions as it answers. It has, however, focused the attention on four issues of critical concern to the consortium: corporate governance, size, scope of functions, and recognition. Solutions implemented to date may serve as useful case studies for other consortia.

Gillian Hallam - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Facing the Challenges Together: A Collaborative Approach to Understanding Contemporary Government Library and Information Services
    Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 2018
    Co-Authors: Gillian Hallam, Julie Sibthorpe
    Abstract:

    The Commonwealth Government Agency Libraries Review was commissioned by the Executive Committee of the Australian Government Library and Information Network (AGLIN). The review sought to identify how Government Libraries might best meet the needs of Commonwealth employees by delivering efficient, cost-effective and equitable information services. While a primarily quantitative survey was used in Stage 1 to collect detailed data about individual agency Libraries, this article focuses on the qualitative data gathered in a series of focus groups. Library and information professionals discussed the valuable aspects of their work, as well as identifying the range of issues and challenges they faced. In Stage 2, interviews with senior executives and policy managers validated the findings, with the complex mix of positive and negative factors associated with the roles played by librarians acknowledged. The research highlights the urgent imperative for librarians to take advantage of the changing Government information environment to reposition their roles. Initiative, leadership and strategic vision are required to ensure that their professional skills are recognised. The project activities themselves demonstrate how collaboration has the potential to develop and support a culture of research into practice in the field of library science.

  • commonwealth Government agency Libraries review stage 2 report consultation with senior executives and policy managers in Government agencies
    2017
    Co-Authors: Gillian Hallam
    Abstract:

    In 2015, the Executive of the Australian Government Libraries and Information Network (AGLIN) commissioned a study into Commonwealth Government library and research services. Following a literature review discussing the issues and challenges facing contemporary Government information services (Hallam & Faraker, 2016), relevant organisational data about the individual services was collected through an online survey, and library staff shared their views and insights in a series of focus groups. The research findings were presented in an Options Paper, which outlined four potential models for service delivery the Government library and information services (Hallam, 2016). One major limitation with the initial research project was noted: the timing of the study, late in the year, meant that it was not possible to involve senior members of the Australian Public Service in the study. The Stage 2 project, Consultation with Senior Executives and Policy Managers in Government Agencies, seeks to address these shortcomings. The value of the study lies in engaging the research subjects in discussions about the future of library and information services to support Government staff working in research, policy and regulatory agencies. The key objective for the study was to collect, analyse and interpret qualitative data on the views of senior executives and policy managers about the roles played by library and information professionals and about the service model in place in their agencies. After the key informants were selected, they were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview or complete an online questionnaire. A total of 13 interviews were conducted, with three additional online survey responses. The issues and challenges facing Government library and information professionals were discussed from the perspectives of the respondents. The support provided by library staff to ensure productive outcomes was highly valued, with particular emphasis placed on the strong relationships they established and the deep understanding they developed about the business of the agency. There was a good appreciation of their skills and expertise in providing access to and managing information, along with the professional networks across the library sector. On the other hand, interviewees were aware of the vulnerability of staff working in small units in terms of their professional isolation and lack of career structure. The respondents acknowledged that there were significant barriers facing library and information services, primarily due to financial constraints within the public service and the disruptive nature of the evolving world of digital information and data. As funding cuts had resulted in the downsizing of library services, respondents were aware of lower levels of professional influence resulting from the increasingly transactional and less strategic directions taken. There were concerns about the relative invisibility of the library staff, with a perceived reticence about the marketing and promotion of their services. Many ideas were presented about the untapped opportunities for the library and information services, with a keen focus on the need to add value to the tasks they performed, especially in the areas of data management, information management and curation of agency resources, and information and digital literacy. The respondents believed that library and information professionals, they should be ready and able to adapt and apply their highly specialised skills in the world of digital information. They wanted to see librarians demonstrate leadership in this area, especially as the territory was beginning to be claimed by newly trained data scientists and information managers who saw opportunities in the field. There was no clear consensus about the potential options for service models: while the organisational advantages of the agency-centric model were recognised, the financial and professional benefits of a cluster model, similar to university library services, were also acknowledged. The Stage 2 study has successfully deepened the interpretation of the discussion presented in the Options Paper. The analysis of the rich qualitative data has validated the findings of the initial research project which identified the positive and negative attributes of Government library services. The digital world undoubtedly presented both challenges and opportunities for library and information professionals, specifically in ensuring strong commitment to evidence-based policy, fostering mature levels of information and digital literacy and driving the move into effective data management. There was an imperative for library and information professionals to focus on communication in order to sell their skillsets, raise their profile and advocate for higher level representation in their agencies. AGLIN has a clear role to play in achieving these goals for the future. The research activities undertaken in Stage 2 through the consultation with senior executives and policy managers in Commonwealth Government agencies reinforce the value of the recommendations presented in the Options Paper. The Executive and membership of AGLIN are encouraged to review the research findings presented in the report and to work together to consider the range of strategies which will build the capacity of and secure a strong and relevant future for the association, and by extension, for the individual member library and information services.

  • commonwealth Government agency Libraries review research report
    2016
    Co-Authors: Gillian Hallam
    Abstract:

    The Commonwealth Government Agency Libraries Review was commissioned by the Executive Committee of the Australian Government Library and Information Network (AGLIN). The review sought to identify how Commonwealth Government library and information services might best meet their users’ needs, ensuring that the services provided are efficient, cost-effective and equitable. The principal research objectives were: to explore the issues and challenges relevant to contemporary Government library and information services; to examine the financial, administrative and technological context of Commonwealth Government library and information services; and to present and discuss potential models which could ensure the sustainable delivery of efficient, cost-effective and equitable library and information services to support the business requirements of Commonwealth Government agencies. The project commenced with a literature review and environmental scan to examine and discuss the diverse issues impacting on the provision of Government information and research services, including current developments in Government administration, national and international trends in Government library services, and the skills and competencies required by library and information professionals working in this sector. A primarily quantitative survey was used to collect data about the individual library services, and focus groups were held to capture qualitative data from respondents employed in Commonwealth Government Libraries. The findings revealed that those Government library and information services responding to the main survey were far from homogeneous. Some information services supported regulatory bodies, some supported research-intensive agencies, while others were aligned with the policy portfolios of a particular Government department. There was a considerable range of size – in terms of the number of staff, the allocation of space for the library, the extent of the collections, and the technologies used – as well as significantly diverse subject foci for the individual information services. Despite the differences, respondents shared a passionate commitment to provide high quality services and to ensure that the specific information needs of the users of the services were met. It was apparent, however, that these library and information services faced many challenges. For the smaller services, the professional isolation of the librarians was a major concern, which increased the vulnerability of the services in times of fiscal uncertainty. The administrative complexities caused by Machinery of Government (MoG) changes, frequently accompanied by reductions in funding and downsizing of staffing levels, had had a direct and negative impact on the provision of timely and relevant information and research services. The information and communications technology (ICT) environment represented a further significant challenge for many of the respondents. Although some Government library and information professionals were able to drive a new digital agenda in their agencies, others had found themselves stymied by restrictive ICT policies and practices. Nevertheless, respondents were keen to ensure that good professional practice was sustained, with library staff supporting and leading change within their agencies. Current developments in the public service which encourage a digitally literate public service, a culture of innovation, and the imperative of informed, evidence-based policy will stimulate the development of alternative approaches to delivering information services. Four options for potential models of service delivery are outlined: Option 1 – Status Quo; Option 2 – Shared Services model; Option 3 – Cluster model; Option 4 – Collaborative Projects model. The advantages and disadvantages of each model are highlighted, together with the requirements which should underpin the respective models if efficient, cost-effective and equitable services are to be offered to users across the Commonwealth Government.

  • commonwealth Government agency Libraries review literature review
    Science & Engineering Faculty, 2016
    Co-Authors: Gillian Hallam, David Faraker
    Abstract:

    Ongoing financial, administrative, and technological changes present significant challenges and opportunities for Government Libraries in delivering services to their clients. Determining how Government library and information services might best confront these challenges and take advantage of new opportunities is crucial for the future of the sector. The Australian Government Libraries Information Network (AGLIN) has commissioned a review of service delivery models in Commonwealth Government Libraries. As an initial step in the project, a literature review was undertaken in order to consider the issues which impact directly on Government library service provision today. The literature review builds on and updates the review prepared for the Queensland Government Agency Libraries Review (QGALR) five years ago.

  • Queensland Government Agency Libraries Review: Options Paper
    2010
    Co-Authors: Gillian Hallam
    Abstract:

    The Queensland Government Agency Libraries Review was undertaken during the period January-June 2010. The research project was sponsored jointly by the Director-General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and the Director-General, Department of Public Works. The objective of the project was to examine future options for the Queensland Government library and research services that provide clients with efficient and cost-effective access to the information they need to conduct Government business, to develop a picture of the services provided, the information resources managed, the client base and staffing. The review also considered the environmental factors impacting on contemporary Government Libraries to determine possible strategies that would ensure a strong and sustainable future for the services. The review process culminated in identifying potential options for future service delivery. The preferred option involves a proposal for the centralizing responsibility for the coordination of a network of Queensland Government Libraries and Research Centres (QGLR). The establishment of a network of research centres, with a central point for coordination of common strategies, systems and processes will enable library and research services to flow around individual agencies, and provide clearer avenues for multi-disciplinary work that characterises contemporary Government policy and Government services. The key elements of the proposal include the development of a single library and research portal for all Government officers, which can be tailored to meet their particular research needs; increasing the visibility and accessibility of information and knowledge resources to those officers regardless of their agency affiliation; introducing better, more cost effective purchasing and licensing arrangements; and the potential to have a voice of influence in the strategic agenda for the Government’s use of information and research.

Jamal Abbas Tameem - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Bobby Bothmann - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Hana Haj Ahmed - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • AICCSA - Data Quality Assessment in the Integration Process of Linked Open Data (LOD)
    2017 IEEE ACS 14th International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications (AICCSA), 2017
    Co-Authors: Hana Haj Ahmed
    Abstract:

    Linked Open Data (LOD) entails a set of best practices for publishing and connecting structured data on the Web, which allows sharing and exchanging information in an inter-operable and reusable manner. The increasing adoption of these principles has lead to the creation of a globally distributed and huge informative space that covers various domains such as Government, Libraries, life sciences, and media. This offers a great opportunity to end-users to build semantic applications by exploring and consuming heterogeneous and dispersed possibly interlinked data. Thus, consuming linked data can be considered as a typical scenario of linked data integration in which a user requires to combine data residing in large and varying quality LOD datasets.In this paper, we examine the specifics of linked data integration and focus on three key challenges, namely data quality profiling and assessment, conflict resolution and quality improvement. We postulate that data quality assessment can act both as a deciding factor for conflict resolution and as an indicator of low quality data which need to be improved.

  • Data Quality Assessment in the Integration Process of Linked Open Data (LOD)
    2017 IEEE ACS 14th International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications (AICCSA), 2017
    Co-Authors: Hana Haj Ahmed
    Abstract:

    Linked Open Data (LOD) entails a set of best practices for publishing and connecting structured data on the Web, which allows sharing and exchanging information in an inter-operable and reusable manner. The increasing adoption of these principles has lead to the creation of a globally distributed and huge informative space that covers various domains such as Government, Libraries, life sciences, and media. This offers a great opportunity to end-users to build semantic applications by exploring and consuming heterogeneous and dispersed possibly interlinked data. Thus, consuming linked data can be considered as a typical scenario of linked data integration in which a user requires to combine data residing in large and varying quality LOD datasets.In this paper, we examine the specifics of linked data integration and focus on three key challenges, namely data quality profiling and assessment, conflict resolution and quality improvement. We postulate that data quality assessment can act both as a deciding factor for conflict resolution and as an indicator of low quality data which need to be improved.

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