My first paper is now published!
- Johanna Garnett
- Jan 2, 2019
- 1 min read
At the end of 2018 my first academic paper was published here in Australia.
A copy of the full article (open access) can be found here
Despite the increasing digitalisation of special collections, Australian university libraries continue to house tangible original works contributing to collective state, national and global heritage.
The protection of special collections relates to the international aspirations provided by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 Priority 3. Currently over five hundred separately grouped university library special collections are recorded in Australia. Globally, there is limited research into university librarian comprehension of how to plan for the protection of special collections.
A survey targeted the 35 Australian university libraries identified for inclusion in the study, via the Council for Australian University Librarians (CAUL) database. Eleven (31%) responses qualified for analysis. Of the respondents, the findings include 92% hold tangible special collections as part of their university library collection; 90% do not have a specific plan for the protection of special collections and 90% have experienced a disaster event at some point in their library career.
The research concludes that special collections held by Australian universities are at risk and that the role of the university librarian is undervalued in the global efforts to protect cultural and historical heritage in the event of a disaster.
Another good read is the issue of digital collections. Heather Brown from Artlab in South Australia has recently produced a paper on this issue which can be found here https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2018.1539903
