Tag Archives: #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian

The 10-Minute International Librarian #14: Find a good source of library news

Libraries are all about ensuring that the communities they serve are well informed.

We know how important this information is for allowing people to take decisions and enjoy their rights.

But it is not only library users, but also library and information workers themselves who can benefit from being well informed!

In order to understand changes in the world around us, it is important to know what is going on.

With this knowledge, a key condition is in place for seizing opportunities and planning responses. It enables libraries to be proactive in finding the best way to support their communities.

But how to do this?

So for our 14th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, find a good source of library news.

In many countries, library associations play this role, through newsletters, e-mails or social media.

In some places, there are also individuals who gather and share stories in order to help others keep up to date.

Of course, IFLA also works to share news about the field through its social media feeds also.

You can share your recommendations for great sources of library news in the comments below!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 2.2 Deliver high quality campaigns, information and other communications products on a regular basis to engage and energise 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! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #13: Develop your 1-minute pitch for libraries

Advocacy is an important part of IFLA’s work to support the library field.

As institutions often dependent on the support of others – governments, funders, host institutions – libraries need to be able to explain why they are a great investment.

There are lots of very good studies and other materials which explain, in depth, how libraries make a difference.

However, if you want the person you need to convince to pay enough attention, you need to be able to ‘hook’ them. You need to find a way to make them sufficiently quickly, or risk losing their focus.

So for our 13th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, develop your 1-minute pitch for libraries.

It’s not a long time! You may only be able to give a few short sentences, so make sure they count.

You could try writing out what you want to say, and then cutting it back until it fits into a minute – only keep the most powerful arguments.

And don’t forget to find a strong first line. You can share yours below in the comment – they may help someone else!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 1.3 Work with library associations and libraries to identify key legal and funding challenges to their work, and advocate for action.

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 #12: Check out an IFLA Standard

Each library is unique, with staff needing to use their skills and judgement to assess what their communities need.

Nonetheless, there is also plenty that we have in common, there is plenty that we can learn from each other. One of the key types of work that takes place within IFLA is the development of standards and guidelines.

This provides a way to harvest the fruit of the discussions and exchanges that take place across our organisation, and present them in a way that can benefit the field as a whole.

From providing specific instructions on more technical issues, to simply underlining issues to consider, these can help librarians everywhere benefit from the collective wisdom of the field. This both saves time, and should help improve services.

So for our 12th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, check out an IFLA standard.

You can find a full list of current IFLA standards on our website.

There are a huge range of materials already available, focusing on different library types, library users, and library services.

Let us know which one(s) you have found most useful in your work!

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 #11: Think of a skill that you can improve

We are in a time of rapid change in the information field.

The materials we work with, the possibilities we have to use them, and the expectations of users are changing.

Even the best library education cannot prepare you for all that you are likely to see in the course of your career.

What it can do, however, is build the confidence and the ability to learn and develop throughout life.

This is also what IFLA is about, with its focus on engaging and enabling the global library field.

There are so many opportunities to use engagement in committees, presentations at conferences or events, or simply reading to update your knowledge and your abilities.

So for our 11th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, think of a skill that you can improve.

Reflect on what you find hard now and would like to get better at. Or think of the skills you would need to reach the next step in your career.

In this way, you will have a great starting point for thinking about how and where you can engage in IFLA!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Key Initiative 3.4: Provide targeted learning and professional development .

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 #10: Find, and sign up to, a library blog

Libraries are at the heart of so many key discussions.

Information – and the changing ways in which it is collected, produced, presented, shared and used – is a top political issue.

With centuries of experience, libraries have so much to bring to any discussion

Of course, these changes also affect libraries, forcing us the library field to think deeply about the our role, and how we can best serve our communities.

These are often big questions, and it can be difficult to find the time to sit back and think through them.

But you’re not alone in doing so! There are lots of great people thinking and writing about the library field, from different backgrounds and points of view.

Reading what they have to say can be a great starting point for engaging in wider discussions.

So for our 10th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, find and sign up to a library blog.

Think of interesting people you’ve heard speak or read about, or you could ask a friend or a colleague.

Try also to look for people with different perspectives. You don’t have to agree with what they say – disagreeing can be a great way to refine your own ideas.

Share your favourite ideas in the comments box below – you may just help someone else discover a great source of ideas!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Key Initiative 2.1 :Produce, communicate and distribute key resources and materials that inspire the profession .

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 #9: Think how you can support someone in their career

Connections and communications between libraries are a great way of learning.

IFLA is all about providing a space and opportunity to do this, across borders, between library types.

We all have things we can share with others, as well as ways we can gain by listening.

But this is particularly important for newer professionals, in order to help them gain knowledge and experience.

Indeed, we can make a major contribution to the future of our field by helping those who will lead it be ready to take on this responsibility.

So for our 9th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, think how you can support someone in their career.

Can you share advice or experience?

If you have newer professionals working to you, what opportunities can you offer to take on responsibilities, and grow in confidence?

Perhaps you could become a coach or mentor, following the suggestions from IFLA’s Section on Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning?

Of course, actually providing support will (usually) take more than 10 minutes, but this should be long enough to come up with some ideas!

Feel free to share them as comments below!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Strategic Direction 3, Key Initiative 4: Work with library associations and libraries to identify key legal and funding challenges to their work, and advocate for action.

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 #8: Think of an Advocacy Priority

What makes for a successful library or library system?

Clearly, the energy and dedication of staff plays a major role. We are lucky to have so many inventive and focused people in the field.

But there are also other factors, not least the decisions made by law-makers and funders.

This is why it is so important to advocate, in order to shape their opinions. You can do this directly, or indirectly, by working to build wider public support for libraries.

But in doing this, it’s important to have an idea of your goal. This will help keep your message clear and well defined.

So for our 8th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, think of an advocacy priority.

Think about what you might want to change, in order to deliver more for your community. This could be funding, but could also be something else – a law that would give you new possibilities, integration into plans for education, employment or health, or rules around staffing.

Think what would have most impact, but would also be achievable. And don’t hesitate to share here – you’ll likely find many others in a similar situation who can share their experience!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Strategic Direction 1, Key Initiative 3: Work with library associations and libraries to identify key legal and funding challenges to their work, and advocate for action.

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.