Cultural implications of a global context: the need for the reference librarian to ask again 'who is my client?'.

Cultural implications of a global context: the need for the reference librarian to ask again 'who is my client?'. Globalisation provides the contextual framework for culturalchanges in the library user group. In order to be more effective, andrealistically, more client-focused, the reference librarian ischallenged to ask again 'Who is my client?' in this changingcontext. This paper presents a practical response to cultural change andsuggests ways of moving towards understanding this context. ********** TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LIBRARY SERVICES WE OFFER:'their quality, their accuracy, their relevance and theirappropriateness to the needs of each individual user' is what onelibrarian describes as the service ethic of the library profession(Levett, 1992, p6). Hence, when asking 'Who is my client?'there is also the duty to develop an awareness of the changing contextof the library user. How else can our library services be'relevant' and 'appropriate'? It has been suggested that reference librarians are more eager todevelop skills relating to relating torelate prep → concernantrelating torelate prep → bez��glich +gen, mit Bezug auf +accthe information resources (1) The data and information assets of an organization, department or unit. See data administration.(2) Another name for the Information Systems (IS) or Information Technology (IT) department. See IT. they access, thanto review their role in relation to sociological changes in the clientgroup itself (McSwiney, 2000). One way to address this lacuna lacuna/la��cu��na/ (lah-ku��nah) pl. lacu��nae ? [L.]1. a small pit or hollow cavity.2. a defect or gap, as in the field of vision (scotoma). is toexplore social and cultural issues more often associated withinter-cultural co-operation in the corporate world, and apply them topractices in information and library reference services. This paperdiscusses the cultural dimensions Cultural dimensions are the mostly psychological dimensions, or value constructs, which can be used to describe a specific culture. These are often used in Intercultural communication-/Cross-cultural communication-based research.See also: Edward T. identified by sociologist GeertHofstede in the context of organisational behaviour, and relates them inthis instance to information-seeking behaviour in the context ofreference work and the library. There are three parts to the discussion. First, globalisation andits related concepts are defined and presented as a contextual frameworkwith special reference to librarianship and information management.Second, there is reference to culture-related issues and theimplications these have for library professionals in a culturallydiverse and transnational library context. This is relevant whether thatworkplace be the public library, a corporate library or a school oracademic library Finally the paper reflects briefly on approaches usedby two libraries to develop the attitudes and skill-sets of informationprofessionals to enable them to work more effectively in a workenvironment that is characterised by rapid change and culturalcomplexity. The underlying aim is to be both positive and constructive and to: * create an awareness of the implications globalisation might havefor the information workplace * identify cultural issues, influences and circumstances relatingto the library user group * add a further dimension to the understanding of culturaldiversity issues and their effect on professional practice in thelibrary, especially in relation to reference work * indicate some ways in which libraries can and have respondedpositively and creatively to the cultural complexity of the library usergroup. Contextual framework Concepts and related terms Globalisation has been described as a central driving force behindthe rapid social, political and economic changes that are reshapingsociety and the world order (Held et al. 1999 p7). This paper takes asits point of reference a broad interpretation of globalisation as a setof processes that are perceived to be adding a supra-national(overarching) dimension to our way of looking at the world and itsregions. The effects of this movement extend across the social domainsand influence patterns of migration, concern for the environment,sharing of popular culture and the exchange of information (Held et al.,1999; King, 1997; Giddens, 1997). Globalisation is a dynamic movement of thoughts, ideas andprocesses that affects our everyday lives. The media more oftenassociates this with power plays between nations, with trade advantagesand exploitation leading to a widening gap between the rich and poor,and with the growing dominance of the economically advantaged. However,globalisation has also been interpreted as a broad movement and theeffects of its gathering momentum can be felt across areas of the socialdomain including the environment, popular culture and migration ofpeoples and communication (Held et al., 1999, p2). In this sense it canbe regarded constructively as a phenomenon which can energise v. i. & t. 1. Same as energize.Verb 1. energise - raise to a higher energy level; "excite the atoms"energize, excitealter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may much ofour thinking and professional practice. Technological innovation has accompanied and enabled globalexpansion, and the transformation it has effected is fundamental to themanagement and exchange of information. The interconnectedness which hasresulted, and an accompanying sense of constant and rapid change, isparticularly characteristic of the workplace of the librarian andknowledge manager. Thus taken in its broader sociological context,globalisation can be seen as a source of energy for re-thinking many ofthe professional assumptions we make in the library/information workenvironment. At the level of the library user group, the culturalchanges it has brought about call for a review of assumptions relatingto issues such as cross-cultural communication Cross-cultural communication (also frequently referred to as intercultural communication) is a field of study that looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds endeavour to communicate. , patterns ofinformation-seeking and approaches to learning. These are identified anddiscussed further in the course of the paper. While globalisation takes as its point of reference worldconsciousness and world systems, internationalisation (programming) internationalisation - (i18n, globalisation, enabling, software enabling) The process and philosophy of making software portable to other locales.For successful localisation, products must be technically and culturally neutral. focuses on thenation and the interaction between national entities.Internationalisation is interpreted in this context as a response toglobalisation. I suggest that current policies of internationalisation,for example in the higher education sector, find much of their energyand context in the broader framework of globalisation. In an effort tointernationalise v. t. 1. Same as internationalize.Verb 1. internationalise - put under international control; "internationalize trade of certain drugs"internationalize , institutions in Europe and countries of the PacificRim Pacific Rim,term used to describe the nations bordering the Pacific Ocean and the island countries situated in it. In the post–World War II era, the Pacific Rim has become an increasingly important and interconnected economic region. are encouraging the enrolment of international students. They alsooffer incentives to local students to study abroad or study as exchangestudents doing part or all of their studies in another culture andanother country The internationalisation of education is one example ofglobalisation stimulating nations to interact and to enrich each otherwith fresh cultural insights and exchanges (Giddens, 1999a; 1999b). Itis this notion of promoting 'fresh cultural insights andexchanges' at the micro level within the 'culture' of thelibrary profession that is at the heart of this paper. Ours has been described as a time of 'transformational change... when something comes about that is so radical that it alters thebasic performance of our daily activities' (Hawkins & Battin,1998, p4). Giddens (1999a) suggests that the globalisation changes weare now witnessing affect 'almost every aspect of what we do'and that the movement has been influenced 'above all bydevelopments in systems of communication'. These remarkable changesin communication and innovative developments in the transfer ofinformation can be easily linked in pragmatic library terms not only tothe quantity of information available, the development of technology,and the impact of the web and the internet, but also account for thechanging profile of the library user group. In recognising the impact of these developments Jose MarieGriffiths reminds the profession that there have always been 'twooverriding imperatives', and that as well as 'knowledge ofrecorded knowledge domains', librarians need to develop their'knowledge of the users they serve (ranging from the general publicin public libraries to highly specialised groups in research and speciallibraries)' (Griffiths, 1998, p236). It is in this spirit of'knowing the users we serve' in this period of dynamic change,that the next section identifies cultural dimensions and explores how webenefit from, and respond to these insights and exchanges. Culture-related issues As library and information professionals become more conscious oftheir role in providing a link between the information-seeker in anincreasingly global social context and global information resources, adeeper understanding of the cultural changes in the library user groupcan lead to library services that are more effective and realisticallymore client-focused. This section identifies some of the mainculture-related issues that have been found to play a significant partin the context of offering reference library services in a culturallydiverse library environment. Culture is used in this context to denote 'the set ofcharacteristics that distinguish one group from another' (McSwiney,2002, Hofstede, 1994, p5). In this sense, it is, in the words of theDutch sociologist, Geert Hofstede 'not only a catchword for allthose patterns of thinking, feeling and acting learned throughout aperson's lifetime' (described by Hofstede as 'mentalprograms') but also 'the ordinary and menial MENIAL. This term is applied to servants who live under their master's roof Vide stat. 2 H. IV., c. 21. things in life:greeting, eating, showing or not showing feelings' (Hofstede, 1994,p4 8z 5). It follows then that it is in the 'ordinary'information-seeking behaviour in the library that cultural diversity isevident. Issues that particularly affect library behaviour patterns aregrouped in the following section under the three headings: culturaldimensions, learning styles and cross-cultural communication. Cultural dimensions In the context of searching for culture patterns in sub-groups ofstudents, or, in this case, library clients, one needs to heed thewarning of Ballard and Clanchy of the dangers of stereotyping behaviourpatterns (Ballard & Clanchy, 1997, p5 & 6). However throughprofessional development programs in cultural awareness for the librarystaff, the University of Melbourne AsiaWeek is now discontinued. Comments:In 2006, Times Higher Education Supplement ranked the University of Melbourne 22nd in the world. Because of the drop in ranking, University of Melbourne is currently behind four Asian universities - Beijing University, over several years repeatedlyconfirmed that the application of the Hofstede cultural dimensionshelped participants to understand and identify patterns ofinformation-seeking in their libraries (McSwiney, Gabb & Piu, 1999). Hofstede studied organisational cultural differences and identifiedtheir practical implications: there is a summary of these in Culturesand organizations: software of the mind (Hofstede, 1994). His workfocuses on inter-cultural co-operation and its importance for survival,and is a valuable aid to understanding trans-cultural issues in aculturally diverse workplace. The responses of 116 000 IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) employees inover fifty countries in the 1980s were documented (Hofstede, 1994; 1986,p306). The study drew attention to the key cultural dimensions whichcharacterise various cultural groups. These have proved to be a usefultool in understanding transactions and the dynamics of the informationenvironment (McSwiney, Gabb & Piu, 1999; McSwiney, 2001) whether itbe the multi-cultural user group of the public library, theinternationality that characterises the academic library community, themulti-culturalism found in the public library, or the global nature ofthe business community that accesses corporate libraries. Hofstede's concepts of power distribution, theindividualist/collectivist differences between cultures, and variousattitudes to risk-taking and uncertainty avoidance are reflected in theinformation-seeking behaviour of the library user. Hofstede'stheories throw some light, for example, on the cultural relativity cultural relativity,n technique for understanding the various ways in which people explain their behavior. of'power distances' displayed in patterns of library behaviour,perceived in my country of origin to be uncharacteristic of Australians.Contrasting cultural attitudes are revealed by the following: in somecountries, attitudes of deference towards senior management and thosewith titles and status, contrast strongly with the egalitarian(seemingly casual) attitude in Australia between employers andemployees. Library practitioners have also reported converse situationswhere the position of the librarian, including the reference librarian,is perceived by the non-Australian client to be purely a clerical one(McSwiney, 1995, p128) and any opinion she/he might express beyond thelocation of the information or the rules governing its access, isconsidered to be out of order. The increased mobility of people from oneregion of the world to another (whether for migration, study, work orleisure) has resulted in the potential appearance in almost any kind oflibrary of a culturally diverse client group whose members reflect arange of library experiences and expectations. This is so across thelibrary sector and perceptions of professional status vary with theexpectations of a fluid library client group currently in a period ofdynamic change. The continuum of individualist in��di��vid��u��al��ist?n.1. One that asserts individuality by independence of thought and action.2. An advocate of individualism.in and collectivist col��lec��tiv��ism?n.The principles or system of ownership and control of the means of production and distribution by the people collectively, usually under the supervision of a government. societies mapped byHofstede also helps explain some of the group behaviour patterns andgroup dependency in the library particularly between co-nationals.Hofstede also found that some societies are more prepared to take risksthan others (in Hofstede's terms: risk-taking versusuncertainty-avoidance). This dimension is illustrated in various ways inthe library, for example through the undue importance placed onexamination papers by a significant number of academic and schoollibrary users, or the expectation that the librarian is there to providea definitive answer (McSwiney, 1995, p 140). This pattern ofinformation-seeking is more often associated in Australia withsojourning so��journ?intr.v. so��journed, so��journ��ing, so��journsTo reside temporarily. See Synonyms at stay1.n.A temporary stay; a brief period of residence. students from Asia, while local students more typically use aself-directed independent approach. These and similar instances aregenerally associated with library users from those cultural regionswhich Hofstede studies have found to display a high level ofuncertainty-avoidance. Translating Hofstede's concepts into an awareness andunderstanding of culture differences as they are manifest at thereference interview results in a more effective and more satisfyinginteraction for the librarian and the client. Learning backgrounds Learning backgrounds and different approaches to education are asignificant factor in the effectiveness of reference services in acultural environment that is becoming increasingly diverse. Thesedifferences are reflected in the information-seeking behaviour oflibrary and information client groups in corporate, public and as wellas in academic library contexts. Reference librarians who take seriouslytheir role as educators will be acutely aware of this. Variations in information-seeking patterns arising from differencesin learning approaches are closely related to the culture dimensionsidentified in Hofstede's studies and were documented by Hofstede inthe 1980s (Hofstede, 1986). Brigid Ballard and John Clanchy of the StudySkills Centre the Australian National University published theirobservations in relation to international students in Australia in1991--and updated them in 1997--in the publication Teachinginternational students (Ballard & Clanchy, 1997). Diverse approachesto teaching and learning and differences in educational backgroundsinfluence the interaction that takes place in reference interviewsacross the library sector, but are particularly apparent in the highereducation sector. This is becoming more evident as the sector,particularly in Australia, makes a concerted effort to internationalise'all aspects' of higher education (Hamilton, 1998, AVCC AVCC Australian Vice-Chancellors' CommitteeAVCC Average Carbonaceous ChondritesAVCC Audio Visual Consultant CenterAVCC anti Virus Control Center ,1997). Ballard and Clanchy illustrated the influence of culturalattitudes to knowledge on teaching and learning strategies in theirlearning continuum representation (Ballard & Clanchy, 1997, p12). In 1995 it was argued that 'there are few single departmentswithin the tertiary institutions in a position to have more significantinfluence on the sojourn of an international student [in Australia] thanthe academic library' (McSwiney, 1995, p178) and Alan Bundy Alan Bundy, FRSE, FBCS, FAAAI, FECCAI, FAISB, is a professor at the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, known for his contributions to automated reasoning, especially to proof-planning, the use of meta-level reasoning to guide proof search. (1996,p 149) suggested that although this is 'an almost self-evidentconclusion' it was 'yet to be clearly and consistentlyreflected in client focus' within Australian university libraries.In the intervening years there have been exceptions, with severalinstitutions offering their staff and international students programsdesigned to address their differential needs in the academic library. Perceptions of the role of the reference librarian have been foundto vary according to according toprep.1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians.2. In keeping with: according to instructions.3. the client's previous education experiences(McSwiney, 1995) and these perceptions are manifest in their attitude toself-directed information-seeking and cross-disciplined research. Linkedwith the risk-taking/uncertainty avoidance dimension identified byHofstede is the case frequently raised by those in professionalpractice, where students who come to the library expecting to findpre-packaged 'answers' to term papers or course assignments.One librarian whose portfolio focused on international students reportedthat sojourning students come to the library with the expectation thatthe librarian will supply them with 'the book which they hope isgoing to be the book... which can supply them with the answer'(McSwiney, 1995, p 140). In Australia this is remarkable because it isjuxtaposed with local students who, from the earliest stages of theirschool education have been used to cross-disciplined referencing andself-initiated research. The perceived role of the librarian in thiscase is to facilitate their search for a synthesis of the knowledge.According to Ballard and Clanchy (1997), and confirmed by the theoriesof Hofstede (1994), a critical, analytical approach to learning andresearch is part of the Australian education experience, and is morecommon there than in many countries in Asia or South America South America,fourth largest continent (1991 est. pop. 299,150,000), c.6,880,000 sq mi (17,819,000 sq km), the southern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. , wherememorisation Noun 1. memorisation - learning so as to be able to remember verbatim; "the actor's memorization of his lines"committal to memory, memorizationlearning, acquisition - the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge; "the child's acquisition of , rote learning rote learningn.Learning or memorization by repetition, often without an understanding of the reasoning or relationships involved in the material that is learned. and the acceptance of printed facts iscloser to the norm. Knowledge of differences in learning traditions can thus be aneffective aid to identifying the expectations of the client and linkingthem with those of the librarian. It is helpful in formulating the scopeof the librarian's role, and helpful in explaining the reticence ret��i��cence?n.1. The state or quality of being reticent; reserve.2. The state or quality of being reluctant; unwillingness.3. An instance of being reticent.Noun 1. ofsome clients. Cross-cultural communication Three reasons for addressing issues of cross-cultural communicationhave been identified by Kerry O'Sullivan (1994). First he suggestsone could argue that it is a worthy goal that 'should' bepursued for the sake of better understanding; second O'Sullivanargues there is a need to examine these issues for successfulinter-cultural transactions to take place (it is a means to an end,especially in the business context); or third, it is 'an enjoyable,self-enriching and worthy goal' (O'Sullivan, 1994, p4). Communication has a dual dynamic, and the librarian as well as theclient has a part in the success or failure in communicating a referencetransaction. In a context of cultural diversity, there are differencesin communication patterns between subgroups within the library usergroup, as well as between librarians themselves. In an age of extensiveuse of digital media, coupled with the assurance of ongoing andsubstantial dependence on analogue material, (Johanson, Schauder &Lim, 1998, p134) the challenges of cross-cultural communication extendacross both the spoken and written word. There are particular demands tobe articulate and brief when communicating via electronic means. Elements of cross-cultural communication influence referencetransactions whether they take place in a local multi-cultural contextor as part of an international transaction. Oral communication has itsown set of challenges whether the transaction is face-to-face, bytelephone or some other form of telecommunication. Phonic phon��icadj.Of, relating to, or having the nature of sound, especially speech sounds.phonicpertaining to the voice. and semanticaccents pose peculiar problems in a country such as Australia where wetake for granted that our English is 'standard' and that ouraccents and our use of words are universally accepted. Combine, forexample, the Australian accent and local colloquialisms with libraryjargon and acronyms, and non-English speaking clients as well as Englishspeakers from other regions are faced with a formidable challenge. Online communication circumvents many of the phonic challengesencountered in face-to-face interviews, but additional problems surfacewhen successful interactions depend solely on the written word. Thecircumlocution cir��cum��lo��cu��tion?n.1. The use of unnecessarily wordy and indirect language.2. Evasion in speech or writing.3. A roundabout expression. practised in some regions of the world (for example,Asia) contrasts with the direct approach (immediately getting to theheart of the matter) generally used in Western society. Here toocultural customs and traditions account for different patterns ininter-cultural communication including the choice of topic, non-verbalcommunication and body language, the use of honorifics and relatedgestures of respect, the avoidance of 'loss of face', and theinterpretation of what constitutes courtesy and politeness(O'Sullivan, 1994, p94). The cultural dimension theories ofHofstede underpin these communication patterns which in themselvesdemonstrate various interpretations of power distance and levels ofuncertainty avoidance. While in pragmatic terms it is not possible to map every responseor pattern in a cross-cultural setting, it is possible to 'buildthe skills to interpret, evaluate and develop effective communicationstrategies' (O'Sullivan, 1994) and to develop a sensitivity tothe cues, signals and codes used by a culturally diverse library usercohort. Responses from the academic library In the context presented above, the library-user brings to thereference interface a body of 'customary beliefs, social forms andmaterial traits' (Furnham & Bochner, 1982, p173) often quiteforeign to the librarian. Responding to the differential needs of thelibrary user in a climate of global change and cultural diversityrequires new skills and heightened sensitivity from the referencelibrarian. It also demands from the library manager new strategies fordeveloping these skill-sets in the library staff. There are a number of ways in which these can be addressed. In1997, Alan Bundy observed that the importance of these issues was'yet to be clearly and consistently reflected in the funding orclient focus' in the libraries of Australian universities (Bundy,1997, p149). Since then there has been some response though it would behard to define it as 'clear or consistent'. The diversity andautonomy within and between Australian universities might explain theplurality of responses to global influences and internationalisation ofthe sector. Two examples are quoted here. The University of Melbournebetween 1998 and 2000 funded a series of professional developmentprograms in cultural awareness conducted over three years by theVictorian Trans-cultural Psychiatry Unit for the staff of its libraries.These programs are documented in the Australian Library Journal(McSwiney, Gabb & Piu, 1999). Addressing a different set of needsare the workshops for onshore staff and programs in library use andinformation literacy Several conceptions and definitions of information literacy have become prevalent. For example, one conception defines information literacy in terms of a set of competencies that an informed citizen of an information society ought to possess to participate intelligently and for staff and students conducted over the lastthree years offshore by staff of the library of the University of SouthAustralia South Australia,state (1991 pop. 1,236,623), 380,070 sq mi (984,381 sq km), S central Australia. It is bounded on the S by the Indian Ocean. Kangaroo Island and many smaller islands off the south coast are included in the state. . By being pro-active in identifying and implementing researchinitiatives, by designing staff development programs with culturalawareness as their focus, and by investing funds and human resources The fancy word for "people." The human resources department within an organization, years ago known as the "personnel department," manages the administrative aspects of the employees. inlibrary education and information literacy programs specificallydesigned to address differential needs relating to cultural backgrounds,the library profession can add an important dimension to its researchbase and its literature. Conclusion Writing under the title Runaway World, in the 1999 Reith Lectures A Reith Lecture is a lecture in a series of annual radio lectures given by leading figures of the day, commissioned by the BBC and broadcast on BBC Radio 4. They were begun in 1948, in honour of the first Director-General of the BBC, John Reith. ,Anthony Giddens Anthony Giddens, Baron Giddens (born January 18, 1938) is a British sociologist who is renowned for his theory of structuration and his holistic view of modern societies. He is considered to be one of the most prominent modern contributors in the field of sociology, the author of observed that the effects of global trends cannot beignored for they impinge on our professional and persona] lives as the'first generation to live in this global, cosmopolitan societywhose contours we can as yet, only dimly see' (Giddens, 1999a). He believes that: Globalisation is not incidental to our lives today it is a shift in our very life circumstances. It is the way we now live (Giddens, 1999a). I have suggested that the cultural implications of this contextcall for a shift from the comfort of routine and ritualised services toa level of cultural exchange that is energising and enriching forlibrarian and client alike (McSwiney, 2001). It is this ideal that hasdriven the agenda which underlies this paper, and can inspire ourefforts towards understanding the diverse and culturally complex libraryuser cohort whose information needs we strive to meet. The question 'Who is my client?' needs to be asked againwithin the framework of a rich and dynamic cultural context, and it isin consciously seeking to understand this context that the libraryprofessional will move closer to finding an answer that ensures that ourservices are appropriate and relevant. Manuscript received August 2002 This paper was originally given at the IFLA IFLA International Federation of Library Associations and InstitutionsIFLA International Federation of Landscape ArchitectsIFLA Instituto Forestal Latinoamericano (Venezuela)IFLA Israel Free Loan Association Conference GlasgowAugust 2002 References Ballard, Brigid and John Clanchy, 1991 Teaching students fromoverseas: a brief guide for lecturers and supervisors. Melbourne:Longman Cheshire. [This is an earlier version of the IDP 1997publication] Ballard, Brigid & John Clanchy, 1997 Teaching internationalstudents. Deskin, ACT. 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Trans-cultural psychiatry and informationprofessionals' Australian Library Journal, 48 [3] pp253-262.[Refereed Paper reprinted with permission from Conference Proceedings:ISANA beyond 2000: Renewing the Vision. 9th International StudentAdvisers Network of Australia (ISANA) Conference, Canberra, 1-4 December1998.] McSwiney, Carolyn. 1994. 'Academic library needs ofinternational students from non-English speaking backgrounds inAustralia', Australian Library Journal 43 [3] pp197-217. McSwiney, Carolyn. 1995. Essential understandings: internationalstudents, learning, libraries. Adelaide. Auslib Press. McSwiney, Carolyn. 2000. 'Think globally! Libraries, culturaldiversity and the 21st century'. Conference Proceedings: ALIA 2000:Capitalising on Knowledge (online). Australian Library and InformationAssociation. 23-26 October, National Convention Centre, Canberra.http://www.alia.org.au/conferences/ alia2000/proceedings/carolyn,mcswiney.html McSwiney, Carolyn 2001 'Global influences: implications forthe reference librarian'. Symposium Proceedings: Revelling inReference 2001 ALIA/RAISS--Reference and Information Services Section,12-14 October, 2001. VUT VUT Vanuatu (ISO Country code)VUT Victoria University of Technology (now Victoria University)VUT Vaal University of Technology (South Africa)Conference Centre, Melbourne. O'Sullivan, Kerry 1994 Understanding ways: communicatingbetween cultures. Alexandria, NSW NSWNew South WalesNoun 1. NSW - the agency that provides units to conduct unconventional and counter-guerilla warfareNaval Special Warfare : Hale & Iremonger. Carolyn McSwiney is Australian-born and writes from a background oftwenty years TWENTY YEARS. The lapse of twenty years raises a presumption of certain facts, and after such a time, the party against whom the presumption has been raised, will be required to prove a negative to establish his rights. 2. in education and educational administration in South Asia This article is about the geopolitical region in Asia. For geophysical treatments, see Indian subcontinent. South Asia, also known as Southern Asia .Her first major research project was published as: Essentialunderstandings: International students, learning, libraries Adelaide,Auslib Press, and her doctoral thesis is titled:'Internationalisation of the university: Implications for theacademic library.'