Conversations in the International Librarian Networking Program 2021: Australia and USA
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This document summarizes a correspondence between Kathryn Allman from Charles Sturt University Library in Australia and Deirdre Downs from DC Public Library in the United States. Kathryn works as a Senior Client Services Librarian at Charles Sturt University, which has six campuses across regional New South Wales, Australia. Deirdre works as a Children's Librarian at DC Public Library, which has 26 branches across Washington D.C. that serve over one million patrons annually. Through their correspondence as part of the International Librarian Networking Program, they discussed their roles and libraries, challenges of the pandemic, similarities between their institutions, and what they enjoy about their work in librarianship.
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Conversations in the International Librarian Networking Program 2021: Australia and USA
- 1. Conversations in the International Librarian Networking Program 2021: Australia and USA Kathryn Allman, Charles Sturt University Library Deirdre Downs, DC Public Library Kathryn Allman Charles Sturt University Library Email: allmankr@gmail.com Contact DC Public Library has 26 branches across Washington D.C. neighborhoods. The Library services over a million patrons of all ages and abilities throughout a year. There are over 200 staff employed across the branches. According to their most recent Strategic Plan, DC Public Library is committed to advancing and improving reading, digital citizenship, strong communities, and local history and culture. Public programs, services and facilities are focused on cultivating these concepts. Deirdre is a Children’s Librarian. In this role she facilitates access to books and information at her branch, develops programs for a wide range of young Library visitors and nurtures community partnerships to create engaging activities for kids in the area. DC Public Library Program Format There are about 43,000 students enrolled at Charles Sturt University, with a majority of those studying online. Charles Sturt University Library operates across six campuses in regional NSW. Currently, there are about 65 Library staff across these six locations divided into the following sections: Frontline Services, Client Services, Collection Services, Charles Sturt University Archives and Library Management. Kathryn is a Senior Client Services Librarian and works in a team that provides research and curriculum support, including an ‘embedded Librarian program’, and a wide range of learning and teaching services, training programs, and other resources for students and staff. We focus on assisting with skills development in research, information literacy, digital literacy and general library skills. Client Services Librarians works with teaching staff, researchers and students in the university’s 3 faculties. Charles Sturt University Library Our conversation revealed more similarities than I thought. We were both dealing with returning to the regular office after a year or so of working from home during the initial height of the pandemic. We identified a shared feeling of having to adapt quickly to evolving timelines and procedures. It was something that may have caused us to write to each other less than we would have liked. Both of us were responding to our workplaces in flux and adjusting to changing modes of service delivery. I learned that multi-location libraries require focused direction, no matter the type of institution. Maintaining consistent and effective service across multiple campuses/branches is a feat of coordination. Also, I have a better understanding of the library’s place in communities. Both Deirdre’s and my organizations have similar goals including to increase literacy and provide a welcoming environment for learning. It is interesting to think about our workplaces as a public service and just how integral they are when they aren’t operating normally, or at all, during an event like a pandemic. Comparison & Learnings I enjoyed learning about Deirdre’s work and positioning my current work on the spectrum of library roles. I have been in the higher education sector for a while now and have become more interested in other types of librarianship that are out there. Learning more from Deirdre about developing programs in a public library was exciting and allowed me to draw connections between what I am passionate about and ideas on how I might be able to include some of that in my work in the future. I am grateful to the IRRT for facilitating the ILNP and Deirdre’s and my meeting. It was great to chat with another Librarian, in a different place, during such a tricky time for the profession and communities around the world. I hope Deirdre and I might keep in touch. Outside of our email correspondence, we have connected on LinkedIn and may continue discussing our work and interests in that space. Final Thoughts As a part of the American Library Association International Relations Round Table’s International Librarian Networking Program, we corresponded via email over the course of 3 months. Our conversations were structured around the program prompts and included focuses on our individual backgrounds, the state of the profession of librarianship in our country, and what we enjoy most about our work. Photo: Charles Sturt University Photo CC: Difference engine Australia flag: Public Domain USA Flag CC: Gaiole Graphic: yeliao521 via Pixabay