Teaching Strengths
Mrs Catherine Barnes
Lecturer, Information Management
School of Computer Science and Information Technology
College of Engineering and Information Technology
I am a Lecturer in Information Management and Course Coordinator at Adelaide University, where I teach and coordinate courses in resource description and discovery, metadata, and project management. My professional background spans vocational, special, and school library settings, and I actively contribute to a range of professional committees and initiatives across the GLAMR sector.
My research focuses on immersive learning environments, storyliving, and the application of metadata to enhance information discovery and support diversity and inclusion.
The Master of Information Management program is delivered 100% online, structured across four 10-week terms. Commonwealth supported places are available for domestic students. Our programs are accredited by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA), and the Records and Information Management Practitioners Alliance Global (RIMPA).
I am researching the intersection of storytelling, virtual environments and intercultural understanding.
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Award | Joan Brewer Award: Teacher Librarian of the Year | Educators SA | Australia | - |
| 2024 | Achievement | South Australian Library and Information Awards | Australian Library and Information Association | Australia | - |
| 2023 | Recognition | Silver Pin | Australian Library and Information Association | Australia | - |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Adelaide University | Australia | PhD |
| 2011 - 2014 | University of South Australia | Australia | Graduate Diploma Education (Secondary) |
| 2002 - 2008 | University of South Australia | Australia | Masters Information Technology |
| 1998 - 2000 | University of South Australia | Australia | Bachelor of Arts (Information Studies) |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Barnes, C. (2024). A trip to the bookstore - an exercise in student agency. Teacher Magazine. |
| 2023 | Barnes, C. (2023). The Question of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Connections, 125. |
| 2023 | Barnes, C. (2023). School library culling is not ‘book burning’, but there are dangers – and I should know. The Age. |
| 2022 | Barnes, C. (2022). Metadata to enhance diversity, connection and belonging. Connections, (123). |
| 2021 | Barnes, C. (2021). Pivot! Moving a library forward when COVID gets in the way. Connections, 117. |
| 2020 | Barnes, C. (2020). Inquiry Learning: Beyond the School Walls. Access, 34(1), 32-37. |
| 2019 | Barnes, C. (2019). So, you have established a reading culture: now what?. Connections, 108. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Barnes, C. (2026). Empowering Future Information Professionals Through Real World Education in University Information Management Programs. Poster session presented at the meeting of KohaCon 2025. Wellington, New Zealand. |
| 2025 | Barnes, C. (2025). Immersive Technologies for Adventurous and Compassionate Education. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Conference on Lutheran Education. Brisbane, Queensland. |
| 2025 | Barnes, C. (2025). Harnessing AI in School Libraries: Insights from Australia's Framework for Generative AI in Schools. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Federation of Library Associations: Libraries for Children and Young Adults Midyear Meeting. Türkiye. |
| 2024 | Barnes, C. (2024). Presentation: Immersive storytelling in the school library. Poster session presented at the meeting of IFLA Research and Effective Practices Seminar. Brisbane, Queensland. |
| 2024 | Barnes, C., & Adolphi, A. (2024). Building cultural competency through immersive environments. Poster session presented at the meeting of Association of Independent Schools of South Australia. |
| 2024 | Barnes, C. (2024). Presentation: Teaching Diverse Literature and Students through Immersive Technologies and Environments. Poster session presented at the meeting of National Education Summit. Brisbane, Queensland. |
| 2024 | Barnes, C. (2024). Applying a challenge ready approach to school libraries: the Australian experience. Poster session presented at the meeting of American Library Association Annual Conference. San Diego, California. |
| 2024 | Barnes, C. (2024). Cataloguing for Innovative School Libraries. Poster session presented at the meeting of School Library Association of South Australia & Children's Book Council Australia (SA) Conference. |
| 2024 | Barnes, C. (2024). Forging Future Libraries: Creative Collaborations for the Sustainability of School Libraries. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Library and Information Association National Conference. |
| 2024 | Barnes, C., & Hepworth, T. (2024). Censorship in a changing world. Poster session presented at the meeting of ALIA Schools. |
Courses I teach
- INFO 5051 Information Management Project Placement (2026)
- INFO 5054 Metadata (2026)
- INFO 5021 Information Description and Discovery (2026)
- INFS 5067 Information Management Project Placement (2025)
- INFS 5126 Metadata (2025)
- INFS 5138 Information Description and Discovery (2025)
- INFS 5063 Information and Records Management (2024)
- INFS 5087 Information Management Professional Practice (2024)
- INFS 5126 Metadata (2024)
- INFS 5138 Information Description and Discovery (2024)
| Date | Role | Board name | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Board Member | International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA): School Libraries Section | International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) | - |
Connect With Me
External Profiles
Available For Media Comment.