Developing Research Excellence and Methods

Received my copy of Library Trends Information literacy beyond the academy. Part 1: Towards policy formulation. Vol. 60 (2) Fall 2011

It is an American academic journal, in print it looks more like a book than a journal. It was meant to be published in the autumn (that's the Fall for Americans) but the editing took longer then the printer was busy. Anyway it is now published  and for those with appropriate authorization the electronic copy is available at http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/library_trends/

John Crawford was behind the idea and it has taken nearly two years to come to publication but it is worth the wait. As he says in a recent announcement

Of the three main areas of information literacy: policy development, process analysis and product development ( the production of learning and teaching materials) it is the last of these three which has  received most attention and usually in an educational context, and frequently higher education. The publication of two special issues of Library trends, the American academic journal,  seeks to address this issue, both being on the general theme of information literacy beyond the academy.  Part 1: Towards policy formulation. Vol. 60 (2) Fall 2011 is now appearing. The articles review information literacy policy making at both international and national levels and includes a thoughtful analysis of workplace information literacy issues. The authors include internationally known authorities including, Woody Horton, Annemaree Lloyd and Sharon Weiner.

My article appears alongside these authors, it is titled National Information Literacy Framework (Scotland): Pioneering Work to Influence Policy Making or Tinkering at the Edges?  It is a descriptive / reflexive piece looking back at the work I and John Crawford did. It is also a record of our work and hopefully will inspire others to have believe in themselves (self efficacy - an area of interest of mine) and what they are doing.

It was a learning experience to write for an American publication. The review process, copy editing etc were rigorous but whilst at times it seemed frustrating I think it has stretched me as a writer.

There is a second issue which John hopes will appear towards Easter time and will be on the theme of Organisational issues, theoretical perspectives and practical initiatives.  Both issues are guest edited by Dr John Crawford, former
director of the Scottish Information Literacy Project.