The Librarian-As-Insider-Ethnographer

Lymn, J

The Librarian-As-Insider-Ethnographer

Lymn, J

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Publisher:: Journal of Library Innovation
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Library Innovation, 2013, 4 (1), pp. 1 - 9
Issue Date:: 2013-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lymn, J	en_US
dc.date.issued	2013-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Library Innovation, 2013, 4 (1), pp. 1 - 9	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1947-525X	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/26570
dc.description.abstract	This article considers preliminary findings from ethnographic fieldwork undertaken in Australia and Canada in do-it-yourself (DIY) libraries and archives. These spaces are usually run on small or no budgets, often in squatted or donated spaces, with no paid staff. They are motivated by a DIY ethos, and often have a connection to so-called underground communities. In this article the author responds to Chris Attons model of librarian-as-ethnographer, which argues that information workers can draw on ethnographic methods to build cultural maps of grassroots and DIY communities. The author proposes that there are information professionals already in these communities, and their roles in both professional and DIY libraries enhances the librarian-as-ethnographer model by providing an insider perspective that may mediate tensions between the two collection spaces. The author draws on her fieldwork in zine libraries, infoshops, and social centers as example.	en_US
dc.publisher	Journal of Library Innovation	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Library Innovation	en_US
dc.title	The Librarian-As-Insider-Ethnographer	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.for	0807 Library and Information Studies	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/lnstitute for Public Policy and Governance
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.consider-herdc	true	en_US
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	4	en_US

Abstract:

This article considers preliminary findings from ethnographic fieldwork undertaken in Australia and Canada in do-it-yourself (DIY) libraries and archives. These spaces are usually run on small or no budgets, often in squatted or donated spaces, with no paid staff. They are motivated by a DIY ethos, and often have a connection to so-called underground communities. In this article the author responds to Chris Attons model of librarian-as-ethnographer, which argues that information workers can draw on ethnographic methods to build cultural maps of grassroots and DIY communities. The author proposes that there are information professionals already in these communities, and their roles in both professional and DIY libraries enhances the librarian-as-ethnographer model by providing an insider perspective that may mediate tensions between the two collection spaces. The author draws on her fieldwork in zine libraries, infoshops, and social centers as example.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/26570