Bell, Emilia C. (2022) Understanding soft power discourse in the National Library of Australia. Journal of Documentation. pp. 1-19. ISSN 0022-0418
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Abstract
Purpose: This paper presents research that sought to understand how the National Library of Australia engages with soft power in its Annual Report 2019–20. Driving the analysis was the research question: How is soft power discourse reproduced and enacted in the National Library of Australia's Annual Report 2019–20? The research recognises the significance of Australia's soft power, cultural diplomacy, and regional relationships to national interest in the context of a library's contributions to these areas. Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a qualitative discourse analysis, with constructivist and interpretivist perspectives. A critical discourse analysis was undertaken that applied a discourse-historical approach. Findings: The findings suggest that the National Library of Australia primarily engages with soft power discourse through the construction and preservation of an Australian national identity. National identity is framed as key to the Library's collection development, with Australian knowledge prioritised. Originality/value: This study extends on research addressing the roles of galleries, archives, and museums in cultural diplomacy, but rarely examines soft power and libraries explicitly or in a contemporary context. It contributes to broader understandings of libraries in international relations and the role they can play in soft power attraction and cultural diplomacy.
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Item Type: | Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C) |
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Refereed: | Yes |
Item Status: | Live Archive |
Additional Information: | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current - Academic Division - Library |
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current - Academic Division - Library |
Date Deposited: | 11 Mar 2022 07:04 |
Last Modified: | 26 Apr 2022 01:08 |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | Critical discourse analysis; Cultural diplomacy; Discourse historical approach; National identity; National libraries; Soft power |
Fields of Research (2008): | 08 Information and Computing Sciences > 0807 Library and Information Studies > 080799 Library and Information Studies not elsewhere classified 16 Studies in Human Society > 1606 Political Science > 160607 International Relations |
Fields of Research (2020): | 46 INFORMATION AND COMPUTING SCIENCES > 4610 Library and information studies > 461099 Library and information studies not elsewhere classified 44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4408 Political science > 440808 International relations |
Identification Number or DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-11-2021-0231 |
URI: | http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/47446 |
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