Category Archives: General

Library of the year in Sweden 2020 – not a library by Catharina Isberg

Every year a library in Sweden is nominated as Library of the year. This year there were huge changes.

The nomination is carried out by DIK, the Swedish union for library, culture and information. And this prize has been given for the last 30 years. The purpose of Library of the Year is to draw attention to the libraries’ important role in a democratic society. Every year libraries are highlighted which in different ways and according to their unique conditions, have excelled a little extra.

For the first time – Library of the Year 2020 is not a library. Instead, the prize goes to the people behind it – all librarians in Sweden.

This year, due to the pandemic, DIK has seen creativity and forward-thinking spirit in the libraries and initiative beyond the ordinary and traditional approaches.

With scarce funds and their own concerns for infection, the country’s librarians have used their skills and competences and ensured that libraries are open, switched up their digital activities and delivered books to those who, due to the risk of infection, could not pick them up themselves.

The importance of libraries becomes especially apparent in times of crisis and librarians have shown an enormous willingness to spread culture and information. Together they have proven that a library, it is so much more than a physical place. The librarians have a huge skill and competence which the society benefits from.

Therefor DIK wanted to pay a tribute to this effort and therefore award Library of the Year 2020 to all librarians in Sweden.

Further information is found at: https://dik.se/om-oss/stipendier-och-utmarkelser/arets-bibliotek

Turn the page and start advocating for your library

In 2011, I was one of the librarians who enrolled in e-training course entitled: Turning the page 2.0. It was originally developed in 2007 by the Public Library Association (PLA) in the USA in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Turning the page is one of the great courses in advocacy, which I highly recommend if you intend to conduct a training on advocacy at your library.

Turning the Page: Supporting Libraries, Strengthening Communities! Is an advocacy training for librarians and public libraries. The training curriculum -as mentioned in the website- was designed for the public library community – librarians, library directors, library staff, and partners – to help effectively advocate for funding, policies, and other support that will allow libraries to continue to meet the needs of their communities.

The curriculum contains 15 training sessions’; the website identified five sessions as “core” sessions based on your needs, – rather, than the full 15- that are essential to any training.

  1. Introduction
  2. Value of the Public Library (Core)
  3. Defining Advocacy (Core)
  4. Developing Your Advocacy Goal (Core)
  5. Identifying Target Audiences (Core)
  6. Using Library Perception Information and Impact Data
  7. Creating Library Advocacy Messages (Core)
  8. Creating a Library Story
  9. Telling Your Library Story
  10. Effective Presentations
  11. Media Planning and Outreach
  12. Social Media and Advocacy
  13. Making a Library Funding or Policy Request
  14. Building and Sustaining Library Partnerships
  15. Putting Advocacy Plans into Practice

Although the curriculum and the other resources on this website are, free to use and to share, but you are requested to review the licensing agreement and to attribute the curriculum before using. To find more about this course please visit:

https://www.publiclibraryadvocacy.org/

References:

  1. https://www.publiclibraryadvocacy.org/
  2. publiclibraryadvocacy.org/about/

UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy: Singapore style

 

 

 

 

 

Singapore celebrates UNESCO’s Global Media and Information Literacy (GMIL) Day on 30th October 2020

The Council of Chief Librarian’s Information Literacy Interest Group (CCL IL-IG), with the support of the Library Association of Singapore (LAS), is organising an online conference:

Information Literacy – The Singapore Way
Friday, 30 October 2020
2pm – 5pm (SGT)

The conference will feature a PechKucha event, with CCL IL-IG member institutions sharing case studies on how the COVID-19 pandemic has pivoted online teaching including instruction. The keynote address will be given by Dr Alton Grizzle, Program Specialist – Section for Media and Information Literacy and Media Development. Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO, Paris.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about media and information literacy initiatives in Singapore.
For further details and to register for the event, please visit https://library76.wixsite.com/singaporemil

The CCL IL-IG is chaired by Rajen Munoo, Head of Learning and Information Services at Singapore Management University, and member of the CPDWL Standing Committee.

 

 

 

IFLA – A Call to Action and Save the Date for Upcoming Webinar

IFLA announced this new pledge:

“Libraries in Response: Every Community Connected

The global health crisis has made the pre-existing global connectivity crisis more evident – and action more urgent – than ever before. Broadband access is critical to the health, safety, education and economic well-being of communities. Public Access is proven to be an economical and equitable way to connect every community.

We pledge to do all within our power to ensure every community is connected. In turn, we call on decision-makers at all levels to:

  1. Ensure that each community has access to at least one publicly-available, adequately connected, no-fee internet access point, and that every school has access to an online or offline library.
  1. Mobilize libraries to act as community labs for action research, improving how we connect, protect and respect each other, and work together to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
  1. Ensure adequate trained staffing and access to equipment for libraries and other community anchor institutions to provide a safe and secure access point to networks, respectful of privacy, and support for digital skills and education throughout life, enabling people to learn, earn and thrive.

Pledges

Electronic Information for Libraries:

The EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) advocates for equipping public libraries with computers and internet connections for free public use. Public libraries – trusted institutions, staffed by skilled information professionals – are uniquely placed to provide public access to information and communication technology and train people to use it. Through the EIFL-PLIP capacity building initiative in Africa we empower public librarians to use public access computers and internet connectivity creatively to provide digital literacy training and other services in communities, addressing critical needs and contributing to achieving local and global development goals.

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

Maximising Access Now: A Library Pledge to promote digital inclusion and access to information during COVID-19 and Beyond

To the best of our abilities, and with full respect for the law and public health:

  • We pledge to promote the best possible internet access for communities, reliably and at no or low cost, so that no-one should lack connectivity for financial reasons
  • We pledge to promote the widest possible access to relevant digital content and services, supporting education, research, and economic, social and cultural participation
  • We pledge to promote the strongest possible support for the development of digital skills, giving users the ability to be successful and confident internet users
  • We pledge to promote equitable broadba​nd policies at all levels.​”

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CPDWL has an upcoming webinar on this very topic:

14 – December (time TBC) – Librarians Supporting Universal Broadband to Continue Providing Essential Service to Communities Everywhere

IFLA has championed the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for a long time. The Internet Governance Forum has called attention to the Internet as a vehicle for human resilience and solidarity. They have stated that inclusion achieved by access to the Internet is a key contributor towards a stronger economy and enhanced economic development through shared wealth, shared employment, and equal opportunity for all, and is an enabler towards the fulfillment of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNESCO has indicated that broadband is “the missing link” in global access to education. COVID-19 propelled a massive shift to digital which made evident the reality of inequality of access to the Internet which also plays into the mission and operation of libraries. As per the ALA, broadband in libraries is needed by patrons to access devices, collections and information, and a myriad of services. It is also used by librarians to create and develop content accessed by patrons and provide access to transformative resources to better the education and lifelong learning of communities deeply impacted by COVID-19 in all regions of the world. Join us and hear from library leaders from IFLA, UNESCO MIL,and libraries in different regions share considerations on how to move forward towards this urgent goal.

Date/Time: December 14 /10:00am ET USA | 4:00 pm Sweden, 8:30 pm India

Moderated by Loida Garcia-Febo, CPDWL Consultant, International Library Consultant

Speakers:

Dr. Jesus Lau, Co-Chair UNESCO Global Alliance for Partnerships on Media and Information Literacy (GAPMIL)

Catharina Isberg, Library Director Helsingborg City Libraries, IFLA Governing Board Member

Sanjay Kumar Bihani, Library and Information Officer, Ministry of External Affairs, Patiala House Annexe, Tilak Marg, New Delhi, India and IFLA Governing Board Member

Register here

Stepping into leadership

CILIP -the UK’s library and information association- believes that “leadership” is not confined to people at the “top” of organizations. Leadership qualities are found at all levels” which is very true.

CILIP is currently hosting a course in leadership entitled “Stepping into leadership”. The program was originally developed as part of the Carnegie Library Lab (CLL), created by the Carnegie UK Trust (CUKT) to encourage creativity, innovation and leadership in public libraries in the UK and Ireland. This course can be accessed by those working in the library and information sector worldwide. The program will help you:

  • Increase your understanding of key leadership concepts.
  • Encourage you to reflect on your own leadership qualities.
  • Help you to develop a personal action plan to improve your effectiveness as a leader.

It consists of the six modules:

  1. Thinking about Leadership
  2. Why?
  3. Power
  4. Creativity and Innovation
  5. Change
  6. Becoming the leader I want to be

There is no deadline for the program, everyone can follow and learn at their own pace and since this is not a formal program, it does not lead to a qualification or certificate.

Reference:

  1. https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/CarnegieLeadership
  2. https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/CarnegieLeadership2#rightBtn4

INELI-MENA recognized as WSIS Champion 2020 in the e-learning category!

September 2020 witnessed one of the amazing events worldwide, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) prize ceremony, which took place virtually provided by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Eighteen WSIS prizes were awarded during the ceremony. The prizes recognized successful initiatives by governments, private sector actors, civil society members, and partnerships between all stakeholders. In total, there were 72 champions, 354 nominees, and more than 2 million votes(1).

INELI-MENA was recognized as WSIS champion 2020, it ranked among the top five projects in the world in the e-learning category. INELI-MENA is an e-training leadership program, implemented by the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information (AFLI) and funded by Global Libraries Initiatives (GL) at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). It aims to:

  1. Support future Arab leaders in public and national libraries by developing, improving their skills & competencies.
  2. Build an active regional e-learning network of emerging leaders in libraries in the Arab region by the end of the program.
  3. Encourage cooperation between regional library associations and specialists in the field through a cooperative project.

The program consists of:

  • Online activities: a Moodle website was created to provide the participants with the learning modules; the website offered a translated version of Global Libraries INELI content, including the following modules: building successful teamwork; innovation; using data; risk management; resolving conflict; change management; advocacy; libraries and development (SDGs); and team projects.
  • In-Person Activities: INELI-MENA conducted two convenings in Germany & Egypt.
  • Combined In-Person and Online Activities: innovators worked in teams to produce new, innovative services and programs and implement them in their public libraries. Innovators implemented six projects for their communities: a library for homeless children; a human library; two marketing plans; a program for developing talent; and a pre-school program.

Certificate of recognition to AFLI

 It is worth mentioning that this would not be possible without the support of Global Libraries Initiative (GL) at the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

Thanks to IFLA for conducting an interview with the INELI-MENA program Director, to read the full interview, please follow this link:

https://www.ifla.org/node/93348

Reference:

  1. https://dig.watch/resources/opening-segment-wsis-prizes-2020-awards-ceremony

Australian librarians go above and beyond to promote children’s literacy!

As part of Library and Information Week each year, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) hosts National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS). In 2020, over 1.25 million participants simultaneously read the same picture book in libraries, schools, pre-schools, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. The success of this annual event has challenged the Australian LIS profession to come up with innovative ideas for future NSS events.

When thinking about the biggest thing that could happen for NSS, a suggestion was made to do it from space. There was already a science education program with stories read aloud by astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS), so the idea was really not too outlandish…

So when ALIA approached the Australian Space Agency and the Office of the Chief Scientist, they received a very positive response.  And the planning for NSS 2021 began and work commenced on sending a book into space.

Today, the selected picture book, with a single copy especially created to meet the precise physical requirements for space travel, lifted off from NASA’s flight facility at Wallops Island, Virginia, USA, heading for the ISS.

The book is entitled Give me some space! written and illustrated by Australian author Philip Bunting. It tells the story of Una, who dreams of a life in Space. She thinks that life on Earth is just so so-so. But how will she get there? And will she complete her mission to discover life in Space?

 

The story actually had to be fact-checked to ensure that the ideas were scientifically accurate.  As part of the project, there will also be a citizen science experiment where school children across Australia will record the temperature in their location. The data they collect will be combined with ISS data to map specific climate details of the vast continent.

NSS 2021 is scheduled for Wednesday 19 May 2021 at 11:00 AEST – which seems light-years away from now! However, do pop the event in your diary, so that you can all make the most of the opportunity to join millions of children around the world as they listen to an astronaut read their special story aloud to them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further resources

ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime https://www.alia.org.au/nss
Scroll down the webpage to ‘Resources’ to find heaps of creative ideas to support the NSS activities

Story Time from Space https://storytimefromspace.com/

Philip Bunting: Give me some space! https://philipbunting.com/books/give-me-some-space/

NASA Antares rocket launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, USA  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRhgcY-yaf4