In September 2020, four members of the LRG – Mary Carroll, Jane Garner, Kasey Garrison and Simon Wakeling – produced the first episode of SICS Radio. We had been inspired by a talk given by Lisa McLean, Station Manager of 2mce, CSU’s community radio station which broadcasts across Wiradjuri Country to Bathurst, Orange and the Central West of NSW. Lisa had described the opportunity the station presented for staff and students to create programmes sharing their work and ideas.
We thought this was too good a chance to pass up, and after much discussion (and a few false starts) came up with the idea of a series of programmes focussing on contemporary issues in Australian libraries and archives. These shows are broadcast on 2mce at 5.30pm on the fourth Thursday of each month, and are also available as podcasts.
Over the course of eleven shows we have covered a wide range of topics. We have explored the social role of libraries, introduced the concepts of Open Access and Open Science, showcased three of the school’s PhD students, discussed key issues related to school libraries, considered the relationship between archives and social justice, and investigated the social implications of book censorship. We’ve also covered Australia’s public libraries, including how they responded to the COVID-19 crisis, the ways in which they can and should support underserved members of the community (both in theory and practice), and the role and function of new public library buildings.
In covering these topics we have drawn on the expertise of researchers and practitioners from both within and outside CSU. One of the most rewarding aspects of producing the show has been the opportunity it has given us to engage with these experts, and provide them with a means of communicating to a wide audience.
November’s show, which will be broadcast on 25 November, will highlight the fabulous work being done by independent community libraries and archives across Australia. And we’re always on the look out for new topics for shows, so do get in touch if there’s something you’d like us to cover.
