Tag Archives: #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian

The 10-Minute International Librarian #7: Identify a challenge you have in common with another library

Running or working in a successful library can involve overcoming many different types of challenge.

Resources – time, money, expertise – are always limited, and the demands libraries can face are not only high, but also change over time.

As underlined in previous posts, it can be difficult to find the time to stop, think, identify problems, and find solutions.

Fortunately, engaging in the wider library field – nationally through your association, or globally through IFLA, provides a way of doing this.

In each of our Sections and other committees, there are groups of people committed to exploring the issues libraries must deal with, and finding solutions.

So for our 7th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, identify a challenge you have in common with another library.

Try not to pick a library that is similar to your own, but rather one in another country, or another library type.

This may be a little more difficult, but will help you find themes where working together could help provide answers!

It can also help you work out in which part of IFLA you want to engage first!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Strategic Direction 3, Key Initiative 2: Support Virtual Networking and Collections.

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 Opportunity 7)! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #6: Celebrate an item in your collection

Libraries have a strong history of cooperation and partnerships.

With no single institution able to acquire and preserve everything, we have worked together for centuries to preserve and share materials, for the benefit of users.

Long before the internet, libraries were enabling information to flow around the world in support of education, research and access to culture.

This role is as vital as ever, especially given that so many items in library collections being rare or unique.

Through ensuring their preservation and accessibility, each library contributes to achieving the missions of the field globally.

By highlighting these, you not only underline the importance of your work, but also that of the library field as a whole.

So for our 6th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, celebrate an item from your collection.

Ideally, if copyright and ethical concerns permit, share a photo on social media and a description, or even a full digitised copy.

Let others know about the treasures you are safeguarding for the future!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Strategic Direction 3, Key Initiative 2: Support Virtual Networking and Collections.

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 Opportunity 7)! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #5: Think of a Potential Partner

Libraries should never need to be isolated or alone.

Indeed, building partnerships, not just inside but also outside our field can be a great way of increasing impact while saving effort.

While it can seem like an effort at first, just taking a little time to identify and build partnerships can bring major benefits in future.

Indeed, this was the subject of one of the ten key opportunities identified in IFLA’s Global Vision!

So for our 5th 10-Minute International Librarian, as a first step, think of some potential partners.

Who shares the goals of libraries? Who sympathises with our institutions? Whose support could help you go further?

It could be a business sector, a non-governmental organisation, or even a part of government.

Write your ideas down – you can even categorise them by sector, or by how easy you think it could be to reach out.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Strategic Direction 3, Key Initiative 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 (especially Opportunity 7)! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #4: Find Out Where IFLA Is Active

There’s so much going on in the global library field, it can be hard to work out where to start.

IFLA itself is active over so many different areas and on so many different questions. It can be easy to miss things!

It’s always a good idea to take a step back, and to think about where you might be able to identify colleagues facing similar challenges to you, or where you can ask questions.

This doesn’t need to take long either!

For our 4th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, take a moment to find out where IFLA is active.

You can look at our Activities and Groups page to get an idea of where we have Sections or Special Interest Groups (focused on specific themes, library types, services or regions), as well as other programmes and areas of work.

Click onto the Section or Special Interest Group which is closest to your interests, and see if they have a mailing list, blog or social media. You can then follow them in order to find out more, and start to engage!

Good luck!

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Strategic Direction 3, Key Initiative 2: Support virtual networking and connections

 

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 #3: Think of a success… and share it!

If you’re working in a busy library, it can often be difficult to take a step back.

There are too many short-term priorities, urgent things needing fixing or addressing to be able to take the time to think back.

But it’s important to do so, both in order to feel pride in a job well done, and in order to learn for the future.

As part of a global field, there is also so much to learn from other people, facing similar challenges, trying to find effective solutions.

So for our 3rd 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, think of a success and share it!

The most interesting examples are the ones where you have faced difficult situations, and where you have had to be innovative in order to succeed. Try to evaluate what the key factors in this were.

This can help you – and others – learn useful lessons for the future!

Share your stories on social media, in the comments to this blog, or through your own blog or newsletters, so that others can read about what you’ve done.

Good luck!

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Strategic Direction 3, Key Initiative 2: Support virtual networking and connections

 

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.

Introducing… the 10-Minute International Librarian

IFLA From Home: Introducing the 10-Minute International LibrarianWith a fundamental mission to serve their communities at a time of unprecedented social, technological and economic change, libraries are busy places!

Ensuring access to information and technology, providing support and skills development, managing diverse and every-growing resources, and preserving our heritage against decay and loss – there’s a lot to do.

Our mission at IFLA is to help you do this by inspiring, engaging, enabling and connecting the global library field, and so to deliver on the IFLA Strategy 2019-24.

To do this, we rely heavily on the work of our Professional Units – the biggest brains trust in the library field – a group of committed volunteers giving their time and energy for the sake of libraries globally.

But we know that it’s not always easy to set aside so much time, or to find the resources to attend WLIC every year.

Maybe you can only spare a few minutes a week, beside professional, family and other commitments.

Fortunately, there are so many other ways to engage, and to contribute to the global library field!

In our new series – the 10-Minute International Librarian – we’ll be identifying great ideas for how you can do this.

Each week, we’ll publish a new post, and explain how this relates to the IFLA Strategy.

See you next week!

 

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.