Tag Archives: #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian

The 10-Minute International Librarian #21: Identify a non-user and think how to engage them

Libraries have a mission to serve their entire communities.

Yet it is rare – if not impossible – to be able to reach everyone. What is important is to try and reach further.

This is because when people are not connected to their library, there is a risk of missed opportunities to improve lives, or to win over supporters for your work.

In both cases – in order to increase impact and strengthen advocacy – it is worth thinking about who these people are, and what can be done to work with them.

So for our 21st 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, identify a non-user and think how to engage them.

A first target will of course be users who could benefit from library services, but are not yet doing so.

Imagine someone in this situation – you can even create a persona – and think about what you could do in order to build awareness. What are the barriers, and what can you do about them?

In other cases, you could think about people who may not come to the library, but could be important supporters.

What can you do to help them understand the importance of the services you are offering?

Let us know in the comments below about your experiences here!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 1.1 Show the power of libraries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

You can view all of our ideas using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #20: Recruit a Friend

The strength of the library field – locally, nationally and globally – is directly connected to the engagement of the people making it up.

The more library and information professionals there are sharing their ideas and experience, the better we can innovate and spread new practices.

The more professionals there are who are ready to speak up and engage in advocacy, the louder our voice is.

Library associations and other groupings are a great means of doing this at every level, providing a space for cooperation, coordination and joint action.

New members do not just gain themselves from involvement, but also bring benefits to the group as a whole.

So for our 20th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, recruit a friend!

Explain what you gain from working with other members of the profession, at the local, national and international levels.

Explain also why it is so important to work together to ensure that the library field continues to be able to fulfil its missions.

In doing so, you help strengthen our field!

Let us know in the comments below which arguments have worked best for you in convincing others to get involved with the national or global library field.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 3.3 Empower the field at the national and regional levels

As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #19: Map Your Library Ecosystem

No library is an island.

It has almost always been the case that libraries rely on others for budgets, in turn providing a key service to their communities.

Increasingly, libraries can be seen as partners and platforms. By combining their strengths with others, they can be better able to respond to the needs of their users.

With so many interconnections, we can see libraries as part of an ecosystem, made up of lots of different individuals, groups or institutions, interacting with each other and their environment.

While this term originates in biology – and is particular relevant with the UN Summit on Biodiversity this week – it can also apply to libraries.

Indeed, it offers a helpful model for structuring thinking about the environment in which our institutions operate.

So for our 19th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, map your library ecosystem.

You can do this as a diagram, on your own or with colleagues. Try to identify the other people and institutions around you which can help you achieve your goals.

Of course, funders are key here. But so too are the actual and potential partners with whom you can work to provide services.

This can include not only other official institutions, but also individuals and community groups.

This map of your ecosystem can help you think both about your own plans and priorities, but also about the impact that changes may have.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 2.3 Show the power of libraries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

 

The 10-Minute International Librarian #18: Think of a Powerful Advocacy Tool

Advocacy is a global priority for libraries, and will only become more important with hard financial times likely ahead.

When trying to change people’s minds, it can be powerful to go in with some sort of tool or support, that you can prepare beforehand.

This can help start conversations, or leave a favourable impression on someone you want to convince.

It can also save you time while increasing your impact.

So for our 18th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, think of a powerful advocacy tool.

This could be a postcard, leaflet, poster, report, or other object that supports you in your work to build support for libraries. It can share data or stories, set out arguments or make suggestions.

Think about what could work best in your country and your circumstances, and what you have seen others do that worked.

What do people respond best to? What has the most reach and impact?

Share your favourite examples of library advocacy tools below!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 1.3 Show the power of libraries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #17: Think about how you can measure success

The test of a great idea is in its delivery.

In order to understand whether a service or programme is working, it’s important to be able to see whether it is meeting its goals.

But also, proof of what you have achieved is also powerful when advocating.

Politicians will meet lots of enthusiastic people with great ideas. But what should work best in changing their minds is evidence.

Libraries can better protect and improve their situation when they can make it clear how they are contributing to their communities.

So for our 17th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, think about how you can measure success.

There are different ways of doing which could fit to your own situation, from stories from individuals to statistics, from the way people feel (did they appreciate what you did?) to life-changes.

Looking through stories on IFLA’s Library Map of the World will give you some great ideas from libraries elsewhere. You can also learn more in our Storytelling Manual.

Thinking about measurement early also pays off, as it means you can collect feedback as you deliver any service or programme.

Share your stories on measuring success in the comments below!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 3.3 Develop standards, guidelines, and other materials that foster best professional practice.

As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #16: Review your risk-management plans

Libraries provide services to their communities that are as varied as they are essential.

This can be particularly true during times of crisis, when people need information – and comfort – more than ever.

But of course to be able to provide services, libraries themselves need to be ready to deal with the unexpected.

It is therefore valuable to have plans for how to deal with risks – for example something that libraries rely on no longer being available.

COVID-19 of course has forced many libraries to find ways to work when they cannot rely on in-person contacts, or even have staff together in person.

There are already great resources at the national level in many countries, while IFLA is working to provide more useful information and ideas through our renewed Risk Register.

So for our 16th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, review your risk-management plan.

Clearly, carrying out a full review will take more than 10 minutes.

But you can look again at the plans you have in place, and think quickly about what may be missing. In particular faced with COVID-19, almost all libraries will have experience that you can use.

You may not have a single document, or indeed anything formally written down. In this case, it could be a great moment to think about how you could prepare one.

We’d love to hear which resources have been most useful for you in the comments below.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 2.3 Develop standards, guidelines, and other materials that foster best professional practice.

As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #15: Think how you can use technology to improve services

Libraries have long been innovators in using technology to share information and carry out their missions.

From automation to the creation of inter-library networks that predate the modern internet, there are plenty of stories of libraries leading the way.

This should be a source of confidence – libraries have it in them to use technology to serve their communities better!

With technology always advancing, there are always new opportunities being created.

Often, this happens so fast it can be hard to keep up! But as highlighted in the IFLA Global Vision summary report, we need to work to make the most of the tools we have available.

So for our 15th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, think how you can use technology to improve a service.

It doesn’t need to be something advanced.

For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries have made powerful use of well-established and used tools such as WhatsApp to provide reference services, or platforms like Facebook to organise storytimes.

It can be a great way to reach more people, or save time and effort. Of course, it is important to ensure that it doesn’t leave some people excluded.

But with a little time, and a knowledge of users, technology can increase the positive impact of libraries on communities.

Good luck, and share your experiences of using technology to improve services in the comments box below!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 2.4 Provide tools and infrastructure that support the work of libraries.

As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store (especially those related to Opportunities 2 and 4 of the Global Vision)! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.