Evidence Based Library and Information Practice: A New Zealand perspective

The evidence-based library and information practice (EBLIP) movement emerged in the

mid-1990s and arrived on the shores of New Zealand in 2000 with Andrew Booth’s LIANZA Conference

address in that year. The uptake of the practice in New Zealand in the 20 years since that time is the

focus of this article, looking at its use in all library sectors. The growth of interest in evidence-based

practice is shown in the increasing number of articles and reports of EBLIP use in New Zealand over

that 20-year period, and current EBLIP use is outlined to provide examples and context to its use.

Key findings include evidence of the use of EBLIP at both individual and institutional levels in New

Zealand, and encouragingly, there is also evidence of library practice using evidence-based measures

and techniques but without the overt application of the EBLIP label to their work, possibly indicating

its acceptance and more widespread use. The LIANZA Research-SIG committee conducted its own

research into this practice using EBLIP methods, resulting in the identification of benefits and barriers

to the use of this practice in the New Zealand context. This information forms the basis of advice

and support to those wanting to further explore the use of evidence-based library and information

practice in the New Zealand context.