This study seeks to conceptualize two aspects of an archival model that can serve contemporary us... more This study seeks to conceptualize two aspects of an archival model that can serve contemporary users and institutions in preserving web-born new media objects. There are two central questions: how will such an archive work, and what form will the the objects and collections within them take? That is, what is the place/product that would be built to house objects we would like to save in a manner that reflects what we (as information scientists, knowledge organization specialists, archival thinkers) know about storing, accessing and ...
Libellarium: journal for the research of writing, books, and cultural heritage institutions
Digital archiving presents a ready solution to the problem of hidden special collections. The ava... more Digital archiving presents a ready solution to the problem of hidden special collections. The availability of information and communication technology solutions provide libraries, archives and museums with a way forward. However, cost constraints present a real challenge to institutions, especially in the developing world where digitization projects must compete for scarce resources with many other pressing services. In the competition for resources special collections sometimes play second fiddle to immediate services, for example user facilities. The Library of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, faced with limited and declining financial resources, yet recognizing the value of its growing but hidden special collections especially to scholarship at the university, as well as to the cultural and historical significance of the Caribbean region, sought costeffective and innovative solutions to address the situation and to go 'global' with these collections. This paper uses a case study approach and details the strategies employed by a team at the University of the West Indies, Mona Library, including the acquisition of equipment, selection of collections to be included, and digitization of thirty collections of varied formats as well as deliberate collaborative initiatives at training of staff to ensure sustainability. It discusses challenges in the ongoing process, and complications alluded to by Prochaska (2009) especially those of legal issues, politics, ownership, and values involved in stewardship of the collections. The paper posits solutions against a background of scarce resources as well as opportunities for far reaching and effective services.
This research was conducted to investigate the relationships between conceptions and practice of ... more This research was conducted to investigate the relationships between conceptions and practice of information literacy in academic libraries. To create a structure for the investigation, the research adopted the framework of Argyris and Schön (1974) in which professional practice is examined via theories of action, namely espoused theories and theories-in-use. Espoused theories were examined by investigating understandings and beliefs of information literacy and learning as seen in a range of policy documents including mission and goal statements of eleven academic libraries as well as those of their parent universities. These libraries were recognized by the academic library community for exemplary instruction resources. Theories-in-use were identified by analyzing information literacy practice via online tutorials utilized by these libraries in instruction initiatives. These documents and representations of practice were augmented by semistructured interviews conducted with practitioners of information literacy education in these libraries. A constant comparison approach (Strauss & Corbin, 1998) was used to develop broad themes, subcategories and statements of claims from these multiple data sources. Professor Harty Mokros in his role as Director of the Ph.D. program when I started at SC& I. Joan Chabrak was a tower of support and advice. I could not have made it without the invaluable advice, support, encouragement and friendship of my fellow Ph.D. colleagues who played different and significant roles. It would be impossible to name all who helped. Thanks to Edith Beckett, Davida Scharf, Marianne Martens, Sung Un Kim, and Nicole Cooke. I am particularly grateful to Aleksandra Sarcevic, Cathy Smith, Jen deRichmond, and Susanna Sabolcsi who seemed to be always there when there was a need. They listened, gave suggestions and advice, assisted with drafts of papers and presentations and supported during the challenging times. A Fulbright Faculty Development Fellowship from the US State Department through my home institution, the University of the West Indies, Mona and generous leave allowance from UWI, allowed me to begin and to complete this research project. I received invaluable support from the university community at Mona especially from my colleagues in the University Library including the Campus Librarian, Norma Amenu-Kpodo. Sincere thanks are in order to twelve generous academic librarians who accepted my invitation to be interviewed for this research project. Their perspectives added an essential dimension to the study. I was "surrounded" by many friends here in the US and in Jamaica who called, encouraged, listened, opened their homes, gave of their time and love, prayed with me and supported me in numerous ways throughout the entire Ph.D. journey. I am indebted to many and especially Carlene,
Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 2009
What values and frameworks underpin professional practice in information literacy education? Is p... more What values and frameworks underpin professional practice in information literacy education? Is practice aligned with mission and goals? The poster documents the preliminary findings of a research study which investigates the relationships between espoused theories and theories-in-use of information literacy (IL). The study asks if and how, the foundational beliefs and values of information literacy as expressed in official policy documents including mission statements in academic libraries (espoused theories), guide and are realized in the practice of information literacy in these institutions (theories-in-use). The research is guided by the theoretical framework of Argyris and Schön (1974), theory of action, in which contrasting theories, namely espoused theories and theories-in-use are used to examine professional practice. The poster highlights the process and findings of the in-depth analysis of one library's policy statements and online tutorial, which employed a comparative questioning approach (Strauss and Corbin, 1998). The analysis uncovered statements and concepts relating to teaching and learning outcomes which were labeled, compared, and grouped into broad categories and emergent themes. The findings indicate varying patterns of congruence and incongruence between the library's espoused theories and theories-in-use of information literacy. The research is presented as a model for reflecting on and evaluating tools of practice in information literacy education.
Commonwealth of Uncertainty: How British and American Professional Models of Library Practice Have Shaped LIS Education in Selected Former British Colonies and Dominions Session: 105 — International and comparative librarianship: toward valid, relevant and authentic research and education — Libra...
Worldwide the library and information profession has been the focus of competing social and polit... more Worldwide the library and information profession has been the focus of competing social and political agendas that have contributed to the shape of the profession. From the late nineteenth century to the present in countries aligned to the former British Dominions and Colonies (today part of the Commonwealth of Nations) these external influences were predominantly from two cultural arenas, that of the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). The result in many Commonwealth countries been two competing and at times contradictory models for LIS pedagogy which have been labelled the British and American ‘models or patterns’ of education. The convergence of these two influences has had a role in shaping LIS education and has left a complex legacy. This paper will examine how the legacy of this convergence continues to shape the aspirational agenda of local professional communities and will discuss how this has influenced the delivery and the educational model for librarianship. This paper will examine as a series of case studies how the legacy of this convergence has shaped the aspirations of the LIS profession and influenced the delivery and the educational model of librarianship in a number of Commonwealth countries.
This study seeks to conceptualize two aspects of an archival model that can serve contemporary us... more This study seeks to conceptualize two aspects of an archival model that can serve contemporary users and institutions in preserving web-born new media objects. There are two central questions: how will such an archive work, and what form will the the objects and collections within them take? That is, what is the place/product that would be built to house objects we would like to save in a manner that reflects what we (as information scientists, knowledge organization specialists, archival thinkers) know about storing, accessing and ...
Libellarium: journal for the research of writing, books, and cultural heritage institutions
Digital archiving presents a ready solution to the problem of hidden special collections. The ava... more Digital archiving presents a ready solution to the problem of hidden special collections. The availability of information and communication technology solutions provide libraries, archives and museums with a way forward. However, cost constraints present a real challenge to institutions, especially in the developing world where digitization projects must compete for scarce resources with many other pressing services. In the competition for resources special collections sometimes play second fiddle to immediate services, for example user facilities. The Library of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, faced with limited and declining financial resources, yet recognizing the value of its growing but hidden special collections especially to scholarship at the university, as well as to the cultural and historical significance of the Caribbean region, sought costeffective and innovative solutions to address the situation and to go 'global' with these collections. This paper uses a case study approach and details the strategies employed by a team at the University of the West Indies, Mona Library, including the acquisition of equipment, selection of collections to be included, and digitization of thirty collections of varied formats as well as deliberate collaborative initiatives at training of staff to ensure sustainability. It discusses challenges in the ongoing process, and complications alluded to by Prochaska (2009) especially those of legal issues, politics, ownership, and values involved in stewardship of the collections. The paper posits solutions against a background of scarce resources as well as opportunities for far reaching and effective services.
This research was conducted to investigate the relationships between conceptions and practice of ... more This research was conducted to investigate the relationships between conceptions and practice of information literacy in academic libraries. To create a structure for the investigation, the research adopted the framework of Argyris and Schön (1974) in which professional practice is examined via theories of action, namely espoused theories and theories-in-use. Espoused theories were examined by investigating understandings and beliefs of information literacy and learning as seen in a range of policy documents including mission and goal statements of eleven academic libraries as well as those of their parent universities. These libraries were recognized by the academic library community for exemplary instruction resources. Theories-in-use were identified by analyzing information literacy practice via online tutorials utilized by these libraries in instruction initiatives. These documents and representations of practice were augmented by semistructured interviews conducted with practitioners of information literacy education in these libraries. A constant comparison approach (Strauss & Corbin, 1998) was used to develop broad themes, subcategories and statements of claims from these multiple data sources. Professor Harty Mokros in his role as Director of the Ph.D. program when I started at SC& I. Joan Chabrak was a tower of support and advice. I could not have made it without the invaluable advice, support, encouragement and friendship of my fellow Ph.D. colleagues who played different and significant roles. It would be impossible to name all who helped. Thanks to Edith Beckett, Davida Scharf, Marianne Martens, Sung Un Kim, and Nicole Cooke. I am particularly grateful to Aleksandra Sarcevic, Cathy Smith, Jen deRichmond, and Susanna Sabolcsi who seemed to be always there when there was a need. They listened, gave suggestions and advice, assisted with drafts of papers and presentations and supported during the challenging times. A Fulbright Faculty Development Fellowship from the US State Department through my home institution, the University of the West Indies, Mona and generous leave allowance from UWI, allowed me to begin and to complete this research project. I received invaluable support from the university community at Mona especially from my colleagues in the University Library including the Campus Librarian, Norma Amenu-Kpodo. Sincere thanks are in order to twelve generous academic librarians who accepted my invitation to be interviewed for this research project. Their perspectives added an essential dimension to the study. I was "surrounded" by many friends here in the US and in Jamaica who called, encouraged, listened, opened their homes, gave of their time and love, prayed with me and supported me in numerous ways throughout the entire Ph.D. journey. I am indebted to many and especially Carlene,
Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 2009
What values and frameworks underpin professional practice in information literacy education? Is p... more What values and frameworks underpin professional practice in information literacy education? Is practice aligned with mission and goals? The poster documents the preliminary findings of a research study which investigates the relationships between espoused theories and theories-in-use of information literacy (IL). The study asks if and how, the foundational beliefs and values of information literacy as expressed in official policy documents including mission statements in academic libraries (espoused theories), guide and are realized in the practice of information literacy in these institutions (theories-in-use). The research is guided by the theoretical framework of Argyris and Schön (1974), theory of action, in which contrasting theories, namely espoused theories and theories-in-use are used to examine professional practice. The poster highlights the process and findings of the in-depth analysis of one library's policy statements and online tutorial, which employed a comparative questioning approach (Strauss and Corbin, 1998). The analysis uncovered statements and concepts relating to teaching and learning outcomes which were labeled, compared, and grouped into broad categories and emergent themes. The findings indicate varying patterns of congruence and incongruence between the library's espoused theories and theories-in-use of information literacy. The research is presented as a model for reflecting on and evaluating tools of practice in information literacy education.
Commonwealth of Uncertainty: How British and American Professional Models of Library Practice Have Shaped LIS Education in Selected Former British Colonies and Dominions Session: 105 — International and comparative librarianship: toward valid, relevant and authentic research and education — Libra...
Worldwide the library and information profession has been the focus of competing social and polit... more Worldwide the library and information profession has been the focus of competing social and political agendas that have contributed to the shape of the profession. From the late nineteenth century to the present in countries aligned to the former British Dominions and Colonies (today part of the Commonwealth of Nations) these external influences were predominantly from two cultural arenas, that of the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). The result in many Commonwealth countries been two competing and at times contradictory models for LIS pedagogy which have been labelled the British and American ‘models or patterns’ of education. The convergence of these two influences has had a role in shaping LIS education and has left a complex legacy. This paper will examine how the legacy of this convergence continues to shape the aspirational agenda of local professional communities and will discuss how this has influenced the delivery and the educational model for librarianship. This paper will examine as a series of case studies how the legacy of this convergence has shaped the aspirations of the LIS profession and influenced the delivery and the educational model of librarianship in a number of Commonwealth countries.
Uploads
Papers by P. Kerr
"
"