Welcome to Flinders University Library

Future-proof our active learning spaces

The Library encompasses both physical and digital environments, which we are integrating to support all learning and research at Flinders University. The importance of the Library as a physical space to learn and reflect has been amply demonstrated over the past few years, and we are working to adapt our spaces to ensure they provide a contemporary and inspiring range of environments for our community. As we shift to digital as default, we are investing in infrastructure and resources and developing services and skills to meet the evolving needs of future teaching and learning.

Use evidence-based decision making to maximise value in providing equitable access to information

‘Student Centred’ and ‘Integrity’ are two of the values we hold at Flinders University. As part of the Library’s commitment to these values we are developing analytics to understand usage and engagement with our collections. A comprehensive decision-making rubric will assist our collection development ensuring equitable access to all students, while being fiscally responsible with the significant university investment in content. Equitable also refers to the ability to engage with collections regardless of location. As expectations of digital access become the norm, we will increase the distribution and automation of our services and collections. Matching our physical space opening hours, our electronic resources are available 24 hours a day from anywhere.

Ensure that Library holdings of Flinders’ research outputs are compatible with FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles

The Library supports the philosophy that the findings of publicly funded research should be free and easy to access, in support of an inclusive and sustainable research culture. In order for students to be effective learners they need to be able to identify open resources both by Flinders University’s researchers and from other institutions. We are supporting equitable education by partnering with the teaching community on the development of open educational resources. We are developing sophisticated technology to allow Flinders’ researchers to share their research findings online. Our staff have embarked on a learning journey to both increase their skills and knowledge and to stay abreast of this rapidly changing area. Our goal is to extend our existing work beyond support to partner in future research.

Co-develop improved records management processes with Library partners across the University

As a community of information professionals, the Library is in a unique position to work with other areas of Flinders University to address challenges of records management within a complex digital environment. Within a culture of innovation in partnership with the University, we will establish institutional records management processes. This will ensure that our institutional, cultural, and research outputs remain accessible for future research, learning and engagement.

Guide our University community towards the future of scholarly communication by empowering Library staff to develop as knowledge experts

The way scholarly outputs are published, purchased and read has undergone significant and rapid change over the past decade. Library staff bring a wealth of knowledge, attributes and expertise to Flinders University and we need to ensure they have the necessary support to navigate this changing landscape and guide our community through it. We have created internal initiatives for staff development and actively encourage engagement with external opportunities. We aim to understand skill gaps in order to focus development. By fostering a research and learning culture within the Library we will aim to be a community that encourages innovation, learning from our peers and working collaboratively to reach our goals.

Transform the Library’s engagement model to foster independent scholarship

The Library plays a central role in supporting teaching, learning and the student experience at Flinders University. We aim to ensure all staff and students have the capability to access information and digital technologies at their time of need. As we embrace an increasingly digital future, students’ requirements for information management skills have expanded, including navigating a digital tsunami. The Library is developing automated management of queries to increase the efficiency of services. This will free specialised Library staff to provide focused support to our community to increase their skills to unearth the rich resources available through our collections and identify those beyond.