Empowering Access to Information

During Social Sciences week, 7-11 September events are held across Australia which provide an insight into the impact of the social sciences on our lives. This program wrapped up Social Sciences Week with a discussion on empowering access to information for all members of society.

This program was produced and presented by staff from Charles Sturt University’s School of Information Studies and explores the importance of access and archives.

Social Sciences Week is an initiative of several of Australia’s Social Sciences associations and is coordinated by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Charles Sturt University plays a major role in Social Sciences Week which, due to the COVID-19 pandemic has to be done a little differently this year. With most events moving online this actually provides everyone with the opportunity to get involved. Find out more at https://socialsciences.org.au/socialsciencesweek/

Topics included:

• Mary Carroll on libraries, history and culture.
• Louise Curham talks territory of archives, things we can’t meaningfully digitise and how to keep them.
• Jane Garner on the value of libraries for disadvantaged communities, such as prisoners.
• Kasey Garrison on the value of libraries in schools and for youth, information literacy practices for youth .
• Hamid Jamali discusses open science, evaluation of research, research impact and engagement.
• Yazdan Mansourian talks about the value of libraries in supporting and enriching leisure activities.
• Simon Wakeling discusses Open Access scholarly publishing, and public library infrastructure and funding.