Professional services

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Publications produced by staff from the Northern Territory Clinical School, Flinders University.

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    FindIt@Flinders: user experiences of the Primo discovery search solution
    (Australian Library and Information Association, 1905-07-04) Jarrett, Kylie Anne
    In September 2011, Flinders University Library launched FindIt@Flinders, the Primo discovery layer search to provide simultaneous results from the Library’s collections and subscription databases. This research project was an exploratory case study, which aimed to show whether students are finding relevant information for their course learning and research. The Library staff ran student usability sessions and an online survey for this search interface. These two methods uncovered data on what elements participants are finding useful or not useful, and what problems they are encountering. The results of this study showed a variety of feedback, which was mainly positive. This feedback has informed how the Library can modify Primo for a better user experience and incorporate beneficial approaches to FindIt@Flinders into its student training plan.
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    Establishing a culture of research practice in an academic library: an Australian case study
    (Emerald, 1905-07-05) McBain, Ian ; Culshaw, Helen ; Walkley Hall, Elizabeth
    The purpose of this paper is to describe the establishment of a Research Working Group at Flinders University Library, a mid-sized teaching and research university located in South Australia. The group was founded to encourage staff to develop a more reflective, research-oriented and evidence-based professional practice initially for a three year term. This paper comes at about two years into the pilot and provides an interim report of the group’s experiences and achievements.
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    To PC or NetPC? Hmmm …what the heck, let’s give it a go!
    (Australian Library and Information Association, 1998) Brown, Ian Lewis ; Banbury, John
    Some would argue that the time for NCs or NetPCs has either not yet come or has long passed. Flinders has been watching and waiting for some time now. We had planned to try out this “new” approach in a small, controlled way in 1998, perhaps with a small server and up to 10 NetPCs. However, when university funding became available to provide 100 library workstations for student Web access to flexible delivery initiatives being developed in 1998, the Library was faced with a decision. Should we purchase 100 PC workstations with no additional staff to support this significant increase in public equipment, or should we test the theory that significant savings in application and desktop support costs can be realised with a NetPC type solution? Are they really as fast as normal PCs and are they in fact, easier to manage and support? This paper reports the reasons why the Flinders University Library chose the thin client NC solution in preference to standard fat client PCs, why we thought it particularly appropriate for student applications, how we implemented the new system, what problems we encountered and how close to reality we found the promised benefits, to both end users and system managers.
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    Electronic journal collections: cataloguing to improve access
    (Australian Library and Information Association, 1999) Banbury, John ; Brown, Ian Lewis
    Traditionally, the way a library user would expect to find a journal is through the use of a title search in the library catalogue. Electronic journals should be no exception. One would expect to find a catalogue record for electronic journals, just as we do for traditional print journals. Integrated citation/journal collections and electronic journal collections produced by IAC, Academic Press and Johns Hopkins Press and other vendors complicate this issue. Such collections, although a very good product for many libraries, are difficult to catalogue at the journal level. It is a simple task to create a catalogue record for "Expanded Academic Index" or "Project Muse" at the collection level, but doing only this would diminish the usefulness and value of the collection. In the end, all a journal user wants is to read it. This is a principal service that libraries offer to their users. However, the way that an electronic journal is catalogued plays a significant role in the quality of the service the user receives, and the likelihood that the user will effectively find the journal he or she needs. It is obvious that few libraries would have the staff resources to manually catalogue these journal collections at the title level. This paper outlines the approach and system that Flinders University Library has devised to “semiautomatically” add catalogue records to maximise user benefit from the integrated citation/journal collections and electronic journal collections to which it subscribes.
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    Fat or thin? Is the verdict in?
    (Australian Library and Information Association, 2000) Banbury, John ; Brown, Ian Lewis
    ABSTRACT Thin client or network computing is a hot topic. The hype claims lower total cost of ownership, faster applications deployment and reduced management pain, compared to traditional computing architectures. Early in 1998 the Flinders University Library installed network computers in the Central and branch libraries for student access to the Internet. This paper is a review of network computers in the light of our experience over the past two years. Do network computers offer all that is claimed in the hype? Are there hidden costs? What are the issues of configuration, server scaling, network performance and fault diagnosis? Do they have a future in the Library arena?
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    Purchasing books collaboratively: the Academic and Research Libraries Acquisitions Consortium
    (ALIA, 2004-10-29) Baudinette, Kaye
    In late 2002 the Regional Collections Planning Group, a sub-committee of UniLibraries SA, considered the issue of consortium purchasing of monographs. The Group, which is comprised of representatives from the libraries of the three South Australian universities, Flinders University, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, was keen to maximise the purchasing power of their acquisitions budgets. These budgets were being eroded by continuing price inflation, and by stagnant allocations resulting from financial constraints being experienced in the Australian higher education sector. The Group was aware of two successful library consortia operating interstate, the VARLAC consortium in Victoria and the WAGUL consortium in Western Australia and it decided that one of these might provide a suitable model for a similar initiative in SA. On further inquiry it was established that the current supply contracts of the VARLAC consortium were due to expire at the end of 2003 and that VARLAC was preparing to call for new tenders. The SA Group hastily considered the merits of joining forces with VARLAC instead of forming its own consortium and in January 2003 it approached the Victorian Consortium with a proposal to expand its membership to include the three South Australian university libraries. The SA members identified several advantages
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    Changing places: how a job exchange can give you the opportunity to live overseas, make new friends, boost your career and maybe even change your life
    (ALIA, 2004-12-04) Walkley Hall, Elizabeth
    In a globalised economy, new graduates often look overseas for job opportunities; indeed, it is considered a rite of passage for many Australians to do so. Of course, new librarians are no different. But the reality of working in a profession where there are few permanent, full-time positions means those who find one are likely to want to keep it. Given the many universal qualities of librarianship, a job exchange creates the ideal scenario in which work and travel can be combined. There are benefits for both the individual and employer. Links are forged internationally, commonalities found and differences explored. It is an opportunity to broaden both personal and professional horizons, without having to leave a continuing position. This paper will outline what is required in organising a job exchange, from finding a potential exchange partner to selling the idea to library management, from the financial and legal considerations to the host library’s expectations, and what to do after the exchange.
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    What is at the centre of the discourse about student-centred learning?
    (Central Queensland University Press, 2006) Luzeckyj, Ann
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    Caring for Ngarrindjeri country: collaborative research, community development and social justice
    (Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales, 2007) Hemming, Steven John ; Rigney, Daryle Matthew ; Wallis, Lynley Anne ; Trevorrow, Tom ; Rigney, Matthew ; Trevorrow, George
    On 23 March 2007 at Goolwa near the mouth of the Murray River in South Australia, the Ngarrindjeri Nation launched the Ngarrindjeri Nation Yarluwar-Ruwe Plan: Caring for Ngarrindjeri Sea Country and Culture (the ‘NNYR Plan’). The NNYR Plan is the first Indigenous nation plan developed in South Australia and marks a major change in the way that the Ngarrindjeri leadership proposes to do business with non-Indigenous interests on Ngarrindjeri country. The NNYR Plan provides a strong statement of Ngarrindjeri rights, identity, authority and responsibility, but it is also a conciliatory document charting a vision for future, just collaborations between Ngarrindjeri and non-Indigenous institutions, governments, business and individuals.
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    “Only Connect” : communities of practice and university students - librarian as conduit
    (Rockhampton, Qld. : Central Queensland University., 2008-06) Tyndall, Jessica
    Communities of practice are learning communities for professionals. In the health area there have been a number of strong developments resulting in some exceptional resources like the UK National Specialist Libraries, which have been designed and developed to “identify and meet the information needs of particular communities of practice”. This presentation considers how liaison librarians can contribute to the development of lifelong learning in medical and health science students, for whom graduating from university might previously have meant leaving behind familiar resources and learning tools which would effectively not be replaced in their working lives. Liaison librarians are in a unique position to promote to students, an awareness of online communities of practice which are high quality, free, easy to access and to use, and are fully supported by a strong knowledge management base. Fostering this awareness in students means they are far better placed to progress as lifelong learners, and as established members of a learning community are better equipped to move seamlessly into their professional lives.
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    How low can you go? Towards a hierarchy of grey literature.
    (ALIA, 2008-09) Tyndall, Jessica
    In recent times health sciences librarians have become increasingly involved in working closely with researchers who are undertaking literature reviews (often, but not always, systematic literature reviews). Due to the evidence-based push throughout the medical and health practice area, strong database searching skills have become essential to locate and identify the research necessary to inform practice. These are skills that librarians already have. In hospitals and universities, librarians have been heartened to find their expertise openly acknowledged as their role dovetails neatly into a position of strength. Working with researchers we find our opinions are sought and valued, and this extends to questioning our knowledge of the grey literature. While searching the published (black) literature is a given, there is a growing recognition that grey literature should be included to fully reflect the existing evidential base. Herein lies the rub. Without a clearly established hierarchy, what grey literature is admissible: particularly if we consider grey resources other than the unpublished equivalents of traditional studies and trials? Literature reviews need to include the most significant research available. And that might mean conference papers, reports, legislation or working papers - all grey. This paper examines the variety, relevance, advantages and disadvantages of grey literature and where it might ‘sit’ in the overall research picture.
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    Are the changing discourses of lifelong learning and student-centred learning relevant to considerations of the first year experience as foundation?
    (International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, 2009) Luzeckyj, Ann
    Utilising tools mainly provided by Foucault this paper explores how “lifelong learning” and “student-centred learning” have developed in neo-liberal times. An exploration of these discourses has particular relevance to the first year experience because their changing emphasis provides insight into how university qualifications are seen as a gateway to improved job prospects rather than valued as an opportunity to develop better educated citizens. I suggest these issues are imperative when considering the first year at university as a foundation year.
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    Final Report: Preparing Academics to Teach in Higher Education
    ( 2010) Hicks, M ; Smigiel, Heather Mary ; Wilson, G ; Luzeckyj, Ann
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    Formally calling the CoPs for staff working with first year students
    (International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, 2010) Luzeckyj, Ann ; Agutter, Karen Maree ; Sliuzas, Regina Aldona ; Schmidt, Lisa ; Reynolds, Louise Colleen
    Drawing on both Community of Practice (CoP) and First Year in Higher Education (FYHE) literature this nuts and bolts session will explore whether the FYHE community may be identified as a CoP. This discussion will be used as a springboard to a presentation on the development of CoPs that support the FYHE teaching community in other Australian universities and the establishment of the CoP for staff who work with first year students at Flinders University. The presentation will outline why a CoP was established to support first year teaching and how the initiative is progressing. Participants will be provided with time to either consider the CoPs at their own institutions or to consider whether investing in one is an appropriate strategy to support staff who work with first year students.
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    Games played on Australian university alliance websites as they collaborate and compete
    (Australian Association for Research in Education, 2010) Luzeckyj, Ann
    As competition for funding, staff and students increases and the game becomes more complex, universities across the sector are required to identify new and more elaborate ways of competing. The development of university ranking systems has encouraged this competitive game. The relevance of university rankings is discussed. The paper concludes with a reflection on why, despite their apparent importance as capital these international and national rankings are predominantly absent from the alliances’ websites. These explorations provide an insight into the complex games universities play in order to collaborate and to compete for government, private and research funding and for staff and students.
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    "Don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to": An exploration of 1st year university students' expectations and experiences from the students' and the teachers' perspectives.
    (International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, 2010) Luzeckyj, Ann ; Burke Da Silva, Karen Loreen ; Scutter, Sheila ; Palmer, Edward ; Brinkworth, Russell
    Students are likely to approach their first days at University with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. They may be enthusiastic about their independence and learning new skills and knowledge, but may also be nervous about the many unknowns facing them. These feelings and expectations may have greater ramifications than immediate student happiness and comfort and may impact on student retention and motivation. It is therefore important that potential sources of dissatisfaction are known so where possible they can be addressed, resulting in better matches between experience and expectations and improved outcomes for all. This session will introduce a research project that explores the mismatch between experience and expectations of commencing students across the three universities in South Australia. It will provide an opportunity for participants to learn about the research, discuss its potential value and consider any possible risks associated with research which compares expectations with experience.
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    All change: job rotations as a workplace learning tool in the Flinders University Library Graduate Trainee Program
    (IFLA, 2010-08-10) Walkley Hall, Elizabeth
    This paper examines the place of job rotations as a workplace learning tool in the Graduate Trainee Librarian Program at Flinders University Library, Australia. Specifically, it asks two questions: whether job rotation is an effective workplace learning tool for new librarians; and, whether the trainee experience contributed to the retention in the Library and career progression of those in the program. These questions are examined using Kirkpatrick's Evaluation Framework. The findings indicate that while participants rate the trainee program very positively overall, their satisfaction with workplace learning in their placements was lower. The majority of former trainees have remained with the Library and have progressed in their careers.
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    What do commencing undergraduate students expect from first year university?
    (International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, 2011) Scutter, Sheila ; Palmer, Edward ; Luzeckyj, Ann ; Burke Da Silva, Karen Loreen ; Brinkworth, Russell
    The expectations of students entering their first year of undergraduate study in South Australia were investigated. Responses from 3,091 students allowed a comprehensive understanding of students’ expectations. Most respondents (70%) were entering university directly from secondary school and most (78%) were studying in their program of first choice. The major factor in program choice was interest in the topic, followed by career prospects. The need to understand the expectations of students commencing university is becoming even more important with many universities aiming to increase participation from previously under-represented groups. Only 30% of students had realistic expectations about the amount of study required to succeed at university. Most students felt that feedback on submitted work, and on drafts of work, would be important for their learning. Having easy and convenient access to teaching staff outside of face-to-face teaching was seen as an important factor in success. Ninety-one percent of students felt that having friends studying at the same university would provide support, but 25% did not know anyone studying at the same university.
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    Out of the drought: Australia's junior verse novels
    (University of Winchester, Faculty of Arts, 2011) Deller-Evans, Kate
    After the first flush of verse novels for young adults (YA) in the 1990s has died down, verse novels in Australia for junior readers have sprouted. In 2010 Lorraine Marwood won the inaugural Children’s Fiction category of the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for Star Jumps.