Librarians promoting and driving change across the academic campus: digital transformation at The University of Queensland

Abstract

“All members of the University of Queensland community will develop the information and digital literacy skills they need to thrive and lead throughout their personal, academic, professional and civic lives.”

These words present the vision for the Strategic Framework for Information and Digital Literacy 2016-2020 developed by the University of Queensland Library (UQL). This framework is a future-focused information and digital literacy strategy designed to support the University’s mission to create change which positively influences society and advances ideas that benefit the world. The pursuit of excellence through the creation, preservation, transfer and application of knowledge is a central tenet for the academic community.

When the University engaged in a consultative process to explore and address the disruptions that have occurred in education and the workplace due to the increased use of digital technologies, Library staff stressed the importance of information, digital and data literacies as critical skillsets in a world where ideas, innovation and integrity can flourish. In response to concerns about a patchwork pattern of information and digital literacy skills across the institution, “a university-wide approach… which attempts to involve all faculty and students” (Alexander et al, 2016, p.11) was recommended.

The UQL Strategic Framework for Information and Digital Literacy has offered a coherent and comprehensive approach to skills development, underpinned by the appropriate infrastructure required to deliver consistently high quality, equitable programs and resources which encourage the integration of UQ’s teaching, research and engagement endeavours. This paper reviews the key elements of the strategic framework and discusses the ways in which library staff have partnered with the members of the UQ community to build the digital skills they need to connect and collaborate.