This article will outline the development of an Information Literacy Strategy in 2009 as part of an overall program of curriculum review and renewal at La Trobe University, Australia. Current information literacy programs at La Trobe University Library employ a diverse range of approaches and delivery methods. However, they are limited in scope and scale while they are optional additions to the curriculum. Through participation in a university-wide process of curriculum review and renewal, the library has developed a systemic, coherent and sustainable approach to the design of undergraduate information literacy programs. The resulting strategy employs a combination of online and individual instruction and support embedded into the curricula structure and reflected in assessment tasks. It provides a model of research skills education that gives all La Trobe University students the opportunity to develop foundation information literacy in first year and to graduate with the necessary information literacy skills for study, work and lifelong learning.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 without symptoms is well described, and may be mitigated by mass testing. Nonetheless, the optimal implementation and quantitative real-world impact of this approach remain unclear. During a period of rising SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, students at the University of Cambridge were enrolled in a voluntary programme of weekly PCR-based asymptomatic screening. Swab pooling by household reduced the total testing capacity required by five-fold, without affecting laboratory workflows or compromising test sensitivity. Participation remained >75% throughout the study period. 299/671 (45%) of students diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 were either identified or pre-emptively quarantined because of the screening programme. After a negative screening test, the risk of developing COVID-19 over the following 7 days was decreased by 51%. Modelling transmission using parameters from our study suggests a reduction in R0 of up to 31% attributable to weekly screening. We therefore demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of regular, voluntary mass testing for COVID-19.

Airborne and structure-borne sound transmission are the dominant noise paths in terraced, semi-detached houses and in multi-storey buildings, often causing annoyance when heard. They usually are controlled by applying building regulations before, during and after the construction of the dwellings. As part of a comparative study of the control and promotion of quality in housing in Europe, the acoustic quality in dwellings have been investigated for France, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the United Kingdom. The study highlights many differences in regulations, criteria and methods of measurement. The conclusion drawn from this comparison is that there is no uniformity in the regulations for the acoustic quality of dwellings in Europe and much work is needed to establish uniformity.

Purpose -This paper aims to describe a staff development activity introduced at a small regional library in Victoria, Australia to assist staff to take more control of their work time. The self-directed professional activity (SDPA) allows staff to nominate an activity that would benefit them professionally and then provides the support and infrastructure so they can focus on one task for a sustained period of time, free from external distractions. Design/methodology/approach -This single case study describes the experiences of 11 library staff undertaking the SDPA four times over a two year period, 2006-2008. The perspective of participants was recorded and analysed using a focus group discussion, personal written reflections and written responses to open ended survey questions. Findings -The activity achieved its initial aim of providing staff with greater control over their professional time. Staff appreciated having a dedicated time to plan and complete a specified task, which they nominated as a priority, without external interruptions. Difficulties encountered by staff included defining a task or activity that could be completed in one afternoon and resisting the temptation to check e-mail and answer telephone calls.Research limitations/implications -The sample size is very small, focusing on one specific work environment, which makes it difficult to generalise about the applicability of this model to other organisations. Practical implications -The experiences described in this case study illustrate that allowing staff to set their own priorities and minimising external interruptions can assist staff to feel more in control of their time at work. Originality/value -The paper shows that elements of this approach could be incorporated into any workplace, although it appears to be of greater benefit to workers who must multi-task in open office environments or to those who must juggle competing priorities.

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