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Roles of Local Information Professionals of the Thai Provincial University Libraries
University of Borås, Faculty of Librarianship, Information, Education and IT.
2021 (English)In: Knygotyra, Vol. 76, p. 260-293Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This paper aims to investigate the roles of information professionals in local information departments. These roles were identified by interviewing the members of the Local Information Working Group of the Provincial University Library Network (PULINET) in Thailand. This study applied qualitative research methods, including the 23 interviews of the Local Information Working Group members and a qualitative observation. The need for investigation of the roles as perceived by local information professionals was prompted by the placement of local information departments in the provincial university libraries, which is different from the Western countries where similar work is carried out in public libraries. The activity theory was applied to understand the roles of these professionals as emerging within their community through the division of labor, norms as expressed in responsibilities, and actions as expressed in functions of local information professionals. The study has revealed eight professional roles including manager, curator, service provider, promoter, researcher, collaborator, learner, and educator that overlap with the roles identified in the library research of other countries. The study included a specific group of respondents – the members of a working group of the Thai provincial university library network. This group consists of the representatives of all Thai provincial university libraries and is producing the recommendations and standards for local information work, works with competence development and develops common local information resources. Thus, the results of interviews with its members are both limited to this group, but also can be generalized to a wider professional community of provincial university librarians.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2021. Vol. 76, p. 260-293
Keywords [en]
information professionals, local information departments, Local Information Working Group, Provincial University Library Network, Thailand.
National Category
Information Studies
Research subject
Library and Information Science
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-26166DOI: 10.15388/Knygotyra.2021.76.83Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85110349702OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hb-26166DiVA, id: diva2:1584239
Available from: 2021-08-11 Created: 2021-08-11 Last updated: 2025-09-24
In thesis
1. Local information in Thailand: An activity theory analysis of the Provincial University Library Network’s (PULINET) Local Information Working Group
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Local information in Thailand: An activity theory analysis of the Provincial University Library Network’s (PULINET) Local Information Working Group
2024 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The thesis is a compilation thesis (thesis by publication) comprising a theoretical and methodological framing of the research project as a whole, along with summaries and full-text inclusion of four published articles that explore and shed light on the overall research aims in complementary ways. The conclusions of this study suggest that working together as a group on local information aspects, requires not only a mutual and deep understanding of the local information concept, the roles and competencies of the information professional, and organisational conditions affecting their possibilities to perform these activities, but also an open recognition of and attention to the tensions and contradictions that surround these activities in various aspects and levels of work. This research provides a unique and pioneering internationally contextualised investigation of Thailand’s provincial university libraries’ local information resources and activities. It opens up opportunities for deeper, follow-up studies into particular areas of interest and concern within the Thai context, as well as for international comparisons with similar activities and projects in other countries, regions, and communities, including digitisation of indigenous and local knowledge (ILK). Set within the field of library and information science, the study presents new avenues of research in both empirical and theoretical terms, adding insights into the internationally underexplored Southeast Asian region. The results should be of interest to the LIWG members, local information professionals, provincial universities and policy makers in Thailand, shedding light on the tensions and contradictions associated with local information activities. There are actionable insights into what issues to address, why and how. These results can also offer similar insights and grounds for comparison with information professionals’ work with local information, cultural heritage and ILK in other countries and regions.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Borås: Högskolan i Borås, 2024
Series
Skrifter från Valfrid, ISSN 1103-6990 ; 82
Keywords
local information, typologies, information professionals, roles, local information working group, provincial university library network, collaboration, Thailand
National Category
Information Studies
Research subject
Library and Information Science
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-32670 (URN)978-91-987635-2-2 (ISBN)978-91-987635-3-9 (ISBN)
Public defence
2024-11-22, Online, Allégatan 1, Borås, 10:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2024-10-31 Created: 2024-10-08 Last updated: 2025-09-24Bibliographically approved

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Publisher's full textScopushttps://www.journals.vu.lt/knygotyra/article/view/24387

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Nonthacumjane, Pussadee

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