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With the rise in numbers of people experiencing homelessness in our cities, towns and regions, public libraries are seeing an increase in visits from members of this community. Public library staff are increasingly required to assist and work with people experiencing homelessness, often with little training and without the guidance of policy documents to advise them. This article reports on a survey of Australian public library staff who were asked about their experiences in, and attitudes toward working with this community. The article finds public library staff are frequently working with people experiencing homelessness. Although library staff largely believe working with this community is part of their role, they also report feeling unsafe at work, and a belief that the presence of people experiencing homelessness in libraries can be detrimental to other library users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codesigning public library spaces is often limited to consulting with end-users rather than giving them a role as actual co-designers. This article advocates for more genuine codesign of public library spaces and critically examines the prevalent challenges in achieving true codesign in public library developments. The article introduces a two-year Australian Research Council Linkage research project, 'Designing for Communities with Communities'. The project aims to provide public library staff with a set of codesign tools they can adapt for their own particular projects. Using comparative case studies, the project will also identify the challenges of integrating codesign into the development of public library spaces, and key factors in the effectiveness of projects that seek their communities' inputs and engagement. This article introduces the theory of participatory and codesign, and sets out the basic conceptual framework for the project. It also reports on its initial stages, including preliminary interviews with key protagonists and preliminary user surveys about existing spaces. Moreover, the article discusses the design of the case studies' community workshops, where most of the actual codesigning will take place, with an extensive discussion and analysis of the activities that could be included in these workshops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the existence and importance of prison libraries is noted in United Nations declarations and guidelines from correctional and library associations around the world, no attempt has been made to provide a bibliographic analysis of scholarly literature pertaining to prison library research. This article reports on an analysis of 141 scholarly journal articles published on the topic from 1970 to 2020, focusing on five areas: publication patterns over time, authorship characteristics, subject and geographic focus, publication sources, and languages of publication. The outcome of this analysis revealed that scholarly publishing on prison library–related topics is a slowly growing field, but one dominated by scholars from the United States. Authors are very likely to be publishing about issues local to themselves, in the English language, and in library-related journals. They are very likely to publish only once on the topic rather than building a thematic program of research in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on findings of an international scoping review of literature on social work in libraries. The review explored how social work is practised in libraries, and barriers and facilitators to embedding professional social work within public libraries. Using a literature search protocol, databases were systematically searched, and results refined through several phases of data screening, resulting in 16 articles eligible for inclusion. The dataset was thematically analysed by the research team. Data analysis revealed that most articles emanate from research undertaken in metropolitan settings in the United States, and that empirical research has typically been small-scale, using qualitative or mixed methods. Most articles described social work as multidimensional, including direct contact roles with library visitors, as well as indirect practice with library staff for professional development purposes. In the dataset, authors acknowledged the changing role of libraries that sees a greater focus on addressing social justice issues with increasingly diverse populations of library visitors and their evolving needs - a focus in common with social workers' practice. Authors identified opportunities and challenges regarding interprofessional collaboration between social workers and library staff, including role boundaries and sustainability. Building on these themes, implications for future research and interprofessional practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the roles that Australian public libraries are aiming to play in their communities, mission statements from a sample of fifty public library networks were extracted from their corporate documents and subjected to both quantitative and qualitative content analysis. The five broader roles most commonly articulated were to facilitate learning and discovery, to increase social connectedness, to provide spaces and places, to provide access to information and resources, and to facilitate inclusion and celebrate diversity. Overall, the mission of Australian public libraries focuses more on learning and community building than on their traditional function of information access provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper serves to test the validity of Chatman's theory of "Life Lived in the Round" within a modern prison context. In particular, it examines Propositions Five and Six of her theory. Design/methodology/approach: Data regarding the information-seeking practices of Australian adult female and male prisoners from maximum-, medium- and minimum-security facilities was gathered through 106 surveys and 27 semi-structured interviews. Participants' information-seeking from sources internal and external to the "small world" of the prison was described. The information behaviours of the participants were examined against Chatman's theory of "Life in the Round" to determine its applicability in the prison context. Findings: The data gathered does not support Chatman's theory of "Life Lived in the Round", despite that theory being developed in a prison context. Neither Proposition Five nor Proposition Six of Chatman's theory can be supported when examined in the light of the current data. Research limitations/implications: The inability of the data to support Chatman's theory requires a reassessment of the applicability of the theory, at least to the prison context. As the theory was generated in part from a prison study, the foundational understandings of the theory could be questioned as a result of this current research. Originality/value: Although Chatman's theory has been examined against the information behaviours of other "Small World" communities, none of these studies have taken the theory back to the prison context from which the theory was developed. This study is also novel as its findings do not support Chatman's theory, in contrast to other previously published examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escaping into a book is an experience valued by readers everywhere. Inhabiting the stories, being exposed to the knowledge we find in books, and being in the libraries that provide us access to these books are common ways to experience an "escape" from unpleasant or difficult realities. What then is the experience of escapism provided by books and libraries for one specific community, with vastly restricted access to leisure activities, media, and family? Through a phenomenological analysis of data gathered from Australian prisoners, it is found that prisoners are also able to experience a form of escape through reading and using their libraries, and that this is a highly valued experience in their lives. The importance of access to a library and reading for prisoners is discussed with reference to existing knowledge regarding the relationship between libraries, books, reading, and escapism for communities living in difficult circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to gauge how much, and why, people value visiting public libraries by asking them about the impact of the library closures. A questionnaire survey was administered to users of four library networks in New South Wales, Australia. About 19% of 1,295 respondents missed their library "a great deal," another 28% "quite a lot." Most commonly respondents missed browsing the shelves, taking children for visits, studying, reading, and socializing there. They also missed the quiet, relaxing, and friendly environment, and the resources provided. For many, the closures impacted their lives in a critical way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public library staff are increasingly required to work with members of the public with high social needs. Public libraries are places of sanctuary and connection for people experiencing challenges such as homelessness, poverty, mental illness, domestic violence and substance abuses. In recognizing their role to serve the needs of all people who enter their buildings, public library staff are often asked to work outside their areas of expertise to meet the needs of community members. Public library staff can experience feeling overwhelmed and anxious when working with this community, often wanting to help but not knowing where the boundary between providing support and undermining the self-determination of the individual lies, and not knowing what resources and services would best meet the needs of these visitors. To assist patrons with high social needs and library staff, the City of Melbourne Libraries followed an approach now common in the United States of America, but largely untested in Australia by working with a local housing group to place a social worker in their City Library. This article explores the early work of the Library Social Worker as she engaged with library patrons and provided training to library staff. Using statistics and case notes that describe her activities and their outcomes, we can see that although this practice is new for the Australian public library system, the placement of a social worker into a busy urban library has significant benefits to both patrons in need and the staff who work with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to articles in the issue is presented on topics including perceived levels of risk associated with different forms of disaster, examples of how Australian libraries have demonstrated resilience in the face of natural disasters, and findings from interviews with eight public library staff from Australia.

Recognizing exemplary work that advances research about libraries, the Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research is presented by the Library Research Round Table of the American Library Association (ALA). As the editorial team of the I Library Quarterly i , we try to craft each issue to contain innovative, reflective, challenging, and insightful research about libraries and their communities. [Extracted from the article]

This paper reports on part one of a multi-part research project investigating Australian public library responses to the requirement to close their physical sites due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The aim was to examine how Australian public libraries responded to the crisis during their periods of closure in terms of services and resources, the challenges they faced, and the role locality played in their response. In total, 212 public library authority managers completed an online questionnaire survey in August 2020 representing 695 public library branch locations. The results showed that during their periods of closure of their physical sites, libraries established new services (e.g. wellbeing phone calls, delivery of craft kits to users) and expanded several existing ones, especially those related to e-resources. The biggest challenge reported was managing staff working arrangements. While most libraries kept permanent staff and fixed-term staff on full hours, most completely cut volunteers and casual staff hours. There were some geographic differences in the response of libraries to the crisis. Overall, however, whilst metropolitan, regional and remote public libraries faced immense challenges, especially regarding staffing and human resources, they were also able to respond rapidly and with agility to the challenges brought about by COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explore the influence of books, libraries and reading on the experience of time within the prison environment. Design/methodology/approach: Using semi-structured interviews with Australian adult prisoners, and a phenomenological data analysis method, the researcher has been able to identify lived experiences that explain how books, libraries and reading influence the experience of time, within a prison environment. Findings: Prisoners' experience of time differs from the experience of time outside prison. Unlike readers and library users outside prison, prisoners are motivated to use books, libraries and reading to pass time. They are using books, libraries and reading to assist in their struggle to manage the negative effects of excessive quantities of unstructured time. Research limitations/implications: Research regarding the motivation to read and use libraries in the general population does not identify the desire to pass time as a factor. In contrast, the current study identifies readers and library users in prisons are strongly motivated to read and visit libraries as a means of passing time. This study adds a new understanding of the motivation to read and visit libraries within prison environments and provides insight into the beneficial influence of prison libraries on prisoner wellbeing. Originality/value: This research contributes valuable new knowledge regarding the experience of time in prison, and the influence of books, libraries and reading on this experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the capacity for Australian prison libraries to support the 'whole person'. Based on a phenomenological study of the experiences of using prison libraries by Australian adult prisoners, the article identifies three ways that prison libraries can reduce stress, and support positive mental health, and thereby serve the 'whole person' within their user groups. The study finds that prison libraries can support prisoner wellbeing by providing opportunities for autonomy, by acting as therapeutic spaces, and by supporting positive behaviour management. As a phenomenological study, the experiences of the prisoners regarding their libraries serving them as 'whole people' are described in their own words. We can hear the prisoners' voices as they describe how their libraries contribute to their wellbeing. Through a study of prisoners' lived experiences and how these experiences are reflected, or not reflected in the extant literature, it is possible to demonstrate that prison libraries do have the capacity to serve the 'whole person' and thereby support prisoner wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the literature relating to libraries in prisons and introduces findings from a recent study that explores the lived experience of using Australian prison libraries. The paper identifies literature regarding the history of libraries in prisons, both in Australia and elsewhere, and then studies contemporary prison libraries and the standards and documents that guide their management and practices. One of the main roles of incarceration is the reform of the individual. As the role of education in this process is considered to be crucial, the educational and broader information needs of prisoners are discussed, along with the role prison libraries can play in supporting prisoners to satisfy these needs. This discussion is followed by a study of the nature of existing research and publications relating to prison libraries. The lack of understanding of the prison library user experience, particularly within the Australian context, is identified. A recent doctoral study designed to address this lack of knowledge is introduced, and the paper ends with the identification of five themes identified by that study that describe the experience of using Australian prison libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This response to the report by lawyer Robert Francis into the failure of National Health Service (NHS) care in Mid-Staffordshire is fairly positive about its conclusions but points out that without consideration of personal, psychosocial factors in care, on the ward, in the institution things are unlikely to improve, the report leaves much unconsidered. Francis emphasises that patient care is at the very centre of the NHS, this is obvious but so often forgotten. He comments that the unhelpful blame culture still exists. Missing from Francis’ analysis is a psychological perspective – the systemic factors he mentions are administrative not relational. This response is an attempt to redress the balance in thinking about the improvement of care for patients and of the working lives of staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the doctor's role in unravelling the causes of abuse of older people. The author argues that doctors have a responsibility to understand and address the ageism, ignorance and unthinking which lies is at the root of most institutional abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To confirm clinical experience which suggests that older people are offered psychotherapies significantly less often than younger ones. For those who are able to access psychotherapeutic help the outcome is comparable, sometimes better, than for younger patients. Method: Contemporary and older seminal literature was reviewed for psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, reminiscence and systemic family therapies treating older patients. Results: The main findings supported the experience of staff in old age psychiatry that if the reluctance of referrers and sometimes of older patients themselves can be overcome this type of work is valuable and effective. Conclusions: Each patient is unique. Generalizations are not always appropriate, however, with advancing years some common themes emerge in therapeutic work. It may be necessary to make modifications to the therapeutic technique to accommodate the difficulties experienced by people in later life but also to use their strengths. Staff working in this field need to have the capacity to be aware of and to understand their own feelings and prejudices about the second half of life. For patients not offered formal therapy a psychotherapeutic approach will nevertheless enhance their psychiatric care. Although the body of research is growing, more work needs to be done in evaluating all of the psychotherapies offered to older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the findings of a survey of more than 100 Australian outer regional and remote public library managers. Public libraries in these areas serve more than 2.5 million Australians, representing an important yet under-researched topic. Using an online questionnaire, with a response rate of more than 40%, we asked public library managers in rural Australia about the services provided by both fixed-site and mobile libraries (where applicable), as well as online and other outreach services. Questions also covered the value, issues and challenges of respondents' library services. Findings suggest that while rural libraries perform some similar functions to their more urban counterparts, and share some challenges, they are especially valued by their communities in the absence of alternative services and social outlets, making the library even more of a key facilitator, potentially, of social inclusion and community interaction. Respondents also noted an increasing demand for IT services and digital literacy support among their users, a need sometimes at odds with the challenge these libraries face maintaining up-to-date technical infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the same day that Russia launched its genocidal invasion of Ukraine, the I New York Times i decided to publish an editorial written by a professional far right provocateur who attacked libraries for providing books that represent the true diversity of human experience and identity.[1] As with so many critics of access to information, his objections were over access to very specific kinds of information; he used emotive but malleable terms like "woke" to critique librarians who help patrons understand systemic structures that promote inequities and injustices. In the intervening time, the American Library Association (ALA; [3]) has revealed 2021 to be the worst year for challenges to and bans of books since such challenges have been tracked. The beloved librarian who just months ago was valiantly facilitating curbside book pickups and running outdoor distanced-learning activities for children in the community, despite the pandemic, is now a monster corrupting and "grooming" the children with forbidden books. As the ALA ([3]) revealed in its I State of American Libraries i report, 1,597 books had been challenged by the end of 2021 with proposed bans, an exponential increase from previous years' numbers. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on a phenomenological study on the use of Australian prison libraries. Topics discussed include role of prison libraries to educate, rehabilitate and reform prisoners; experience of using Australian prison libraries from the prisoner perspective and their use as means of experiencing autonomy and responsibility for themselves; and provision of a quality library service to prisoners.

Unsurprisingly, there are also disparities in how different segments of the faculty community have been affected - it is clear that the pandemic has "disproportionately affected ... women, Black, brown, gay, nonbinary and disabled faculty members", while "faculty of color also often come from or have family or friends in communities with high rates of COVID-19" (CHE [6], 5; Weyandt et al. [25]). I have been repeatedly impressed by how the directors within our college supported faculty and how faculty supported each other, staff, and the student body throughout the period of pandemic-related social restrictions. Since the start of the pandemic and the related major disruptions introduced to all aspects of university work and life, one invariable focus has been on students and the effects of dislocation, lockdown, illness, and isolation, not only on their academic performance and career advancement but also on their physical well-being and mental health. Fortunately, the university offered pandemic accommodations, including 1-year COVID-19 tenure extensions, work-from-home options for faculty and staff, and teaching accommodations for those with health issues during this time. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of this paper was to find out how knowledge and skills in demand by libraries compare with librarians' preoccupations and aspirations. Two sets of data were analysed using content analysis. A) 972 criteria in 127 Australian library-related job advertisements (from 2021) were coded against ALIA's Foundation knowledge for entry-level library and information professionals. B) 465 articles published in INCITE (an Australian professional LIS magazine) from 2018 to 2020 were mapped against the framework afforded by the IFLA Trend Report 2019 Update. From the ten domains in ALIA's foundation knowledge, behavioural skills were the most sought domain in the job advertisements (84.3% of advertisements), followed by those of leadership and management (58.3%), digital technologies (49.6%), and literacies and learning (22%). Professionalism (5.5%) and research (14.2%) were the least sought domains. Of the three key trends identified by IFLA, the top preoccupation in the professional literature was found to be 'dealing with uncertainty' (60.2% of articles). This is the first study to analyse both job advertisements and professional literature and map them against expected professional competencies and the sector's emerging trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These articles will appear in regular issues of the journal, and they will carry the special identifier of being "Centennial Articles." In a 2019 editorial, we shared our plans to celebrate entering the tenth decade of the I Library Quarterly i and its approaching 100th anniversary with a series of special issues. To complement the Centennial Issues, the editors will also be commissioning special long-form articles from distinguished voices in the field to examine issues that have helped define the past and present of libraries and that seem to do the same in the future. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose. Food insecurity in the United States is a major public health issue. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the availability and quality of printed materials addressing food security targeted to special populations by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Design. Nutrition education resources addressing food security available from USDA websites were selected for analysis. Setting. Not applicable. Participants. The review team consisted of project staff (n = 6), two of who were fluent in Spanish. Method. Selection criteria were established to identify the food-security materials, and a group of reviewers assessed the quality of each publication both quantitatively and qualitatively. A consensus meeting among the reviewers was held to make final determinations of the quality of the materials. The quantitative data analysis consisted of basic descriptive statistics. Results. Among the 27 materials initially identified, 20 were either irrelevant or of low relevance to food security. Moreover, very few of them were intended for minority populations. The quality of most of the materials ranged from "average" to "good." Some of the major weaknesses include readability level, lack of cultural relevance, and inadequate coverage of food insecurity. Conclusion. Very few materials on food insecurity are of high quality. In the development of such materials, emphasis should be given to the readability level, content, and cultural relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Media professional Tony Schwartz declared that in the past "political parties were the means of communication from the candidate to public." For most candidates, the preferred message format for television communication is the political spot advertisement. However, while a candidate can control his/her television advertisements, he/she must also contend with television news anchorage upon which nearly two-thirds of the American public rely for information and over which his/her control is much less direct or certain. The fact is that television news and television advertising have grown more closely intertwined in recent campaigns, as television advertising has become the content of television news. The study reported in this article used content analysis to explore television news coverage of political advertising over the past five presidential campaigns. Presidential campaigns have been increasingly dependent on television advertising to reach the largest number of voters per dollar. It is less immediately apparent why television newscasts would give valuable air time to political advertisements. Television networks acknowledged the importance of televised political spot advertisements for the first time in 1984.

Purpose: Food insecurity in the United States is a major public health issue. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the availability and quality of printed materials addressing food security targeted to special populations by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).Design: Nutrition education resources addressing food security available from USDA websites were selected for analysis.Setting: Not applicable.Participants: The review team consisted of project staff (n = 6), two of who were fluent in Spanish.Method: Selection criteria were established to identify the food-security materials, and a group of reviewers assessed the quality of each publication both quantitatively and qualitatively. A consensus meeting among the reviewers was held to make final determinations of the quality of the materials. The quantitative data analysis consisted of basic descriptive statistics.Results: Among the 27 materials initially identified, 20 were either irrelevant or of low relevance to food security. Moreover, very few of them were intended for minority populations. The quality of most of the materials ranged from "average" to "good." Some of the major weaknesses include readability level, lack of cultural relevance, and inadequate coverage of food insecurity.Conclusion: Very few materials on food insecurity are of high quality. In the development of such materials, emphasis should be given to the readability level, content, and cultural relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parvovirus B19 is a cause of delayed red blood cell (RBC) engraftment after marrow transplantation (BMT). The diagnosis of parvovirus infection requires serologic and DNA testing in the context of clinical disease and characteristic marrow morphologic findings; however, the source of infection is often difficult to determine.Investigation of a case of delayed RBC engraftment and pure RBC aplasia (PRCA) occurring 3 months after autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation in a patient with high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. DNA testing of serum and of a sample of cryopreserved PBPCs was performed.Marrow morphology showed a maturational arrest of erythroid cells with giant proerythroblasts. Polymerase chain reaction and nucleic acid hybridization confirmed the presence of parvovirus DNA in the serum and in a sample of sequestered PBPCs saved at the time of PBPC harvest. PRCA resolved after the administration of intravenous immune globulin.Autologous PBPCs are a potential source of parvovirus infection, which may cause significant disease after autologous BMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) improves outcomes in patients 65 years of age or less with multiple myeloma. Survival and costs in a cohort of 16 patients who received melphalan and prednisone as part of a clinical trial were compared with those of 36 patients referred to our centre for consideration of ASCT In the transplant group, survival and costs were extrapolated to match the period of observation in the melphalan and prednisone group. Patient-specific and average costs were calculated from the perspective of the Ontario Ministry of Health. Costs and survival were varied by 50% in the sensitivity analysis. Transplantation improved life expectancy by 19.3 months with a cost difference of $30,517 Canadian. The incremental cost-effectiveness of transplantation compared with melphalan and prednisone was $25,710 Canadian per life-year gained when additional pamidronate and follow-up costs were considered. Discounting costs and survival at 3 and 5% did not result in important differences. The sensitivity analysis resulted in best and worse case scenarios for transplantation compared with melphalan and prednisone of $13,049 and $63,954 per lifeyear gained respectively. In comparison with melphalan and prednisone, ASCT appears to be costeffective in patients 65 years old or younger with myeloma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents obituaries for several notable people including radiologist Royal Surrey County, physician and psychotherapist Ruth Porter, and consultant anaesthetist Jeremy Davies.