Reflections of Community Engagement and Wisdom in the Works of Information Professionals

Goal/purpose: This study focused on information professionals working in the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) sector, and how information was sought and used by them for community engagement and to attain wiser outcomes. The primary purpose was to investigate the information collection, use, reflection and values of professionals in the GLAM sector to determine if wise actions occur that may potentially benefit the community.

Methodology: A qualitative approach was used to conduct this research using the wise action model’s (WAM) wisdom characteristics. Data were collected from information professionals working in managerial positions in the GLAM sector using in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results: The findings indicate that while most participants exhibit some elements of wisdom, there are gaps that need to be addressed before wise functioning is deemed applicable in their roles. While knowledgeable information acquisition and community engagement were very visible, more emphasis on values and stakeholder well-being is recommended for wiser considerations.

Originality/Value: Study of wisdom certainly deserves more attention in knowledge management research as previous studies have indicated. With increasing stresses in the lives of professionals, it is now more important than ever to gain an understanding of how much wisdom prevails in organisational functioning to improve the works of individuals and consequently improve the well-being of impacted communities.

Leveraging social justice pedagogy to counter racism: Conceptualizing an Advanced Certificate in Social Justice for Information Professionalsa

The goal of the Advanced Certificate in Social Justice for Information Professionals at St. John’s University (SJU) is to offer both current LIS practitioners and LIS students a curriculum explicitly grounded in social justice principles and concepts that builds and enhances capabilities to substantively counter racism and other challenges to social justice that are reflected in the information sphere of the 2020’s. This article reports on the contexts, motivations and considerations for developing the Certificate. Included is a brief overview of current courses related to social justice offered by ALA-accredited graduate programs in North America, and a list of thematic emphases based in social justice frameworks that will drive the Certificate upon its launch.

What knowledge and attitudes inform public librarians’ interactions with library patrons in crisis?

Using a thematic analysis, this article explores the knowledge and attitudes that inform public librarians’ interactions with people in crisis. Through five focus groups with 22 librarians at a large urban public library system, the study addresses how public librarians support people in crisis, what kinds of barriers and opportunities they experience, and how their perspectives on supporting patrons in crisis have professional impacts. Focusing on both the knowledge and attitudes of public librarians, this research has implications for exploring how public librarians can develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills that may be beneficial for supporting patrons in crisis.