Tag Archives: #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian

The 10-Minute International Librarian #35: Check out the IFLA ideas store

The New Year is traditionally a time for trying new things, or taking an imaginative approach to things you have always done in a certain way.

But with the continued lockdown in many countries, it’s not always easy to come up with novel ideas.

Many of us are simply trying to keep going until we can get back to something like normal.

However, you don’t have to have all the ideas yourself!

There are great sources of ideas that others have tried and tested, that could give you inspiration for changing what you do, or the way you do it.

So for our 35th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, check out the IFLA Ideas Store!

It contains around a thousand ideas from around the world. They concern how you work with others, use technology, promote emerging leaders, and advocate.

Some things you can do on your own, some involve working with others.

All will help you work towards realising the opportunities set out in the IFLA Global Vision.

Take a look, and share your favourite idea in the comments box below!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Key Initiative 2.1: Shape public opinion and debate around open access and library values, including intellectual freedom and human rights.

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.

10-Minute International Librarian #34: Reaffirm your library values

Having a longer term strategy can be a great way of keeping yourself focused in busy times.

It can act as a reference point, and help you choose priorities.

But in times of uncertainty, long-term planning can seem ambitious.

Even setting goals for the following week can be tough when you don’t know if you will be able to open or not.

This is where values come in, helping you to stay inspired, and work out what’s the best thing to do in any situation.

So for our 34th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, reaffirm your library values.

For IFLA, it’s a focus on the importance of access to information in supporting personal and societal development, and on how excellent library services can make this happen.

As identified in the IFLA Global Vision, our field as a whole has this same focus on providing universal and equitable access.

Share your values in the comments below.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Key Initiative 1.4: Shape public opinion and debate around open access and library values, including intellectual freedom and human rights.

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 #33: Make a Library Resolution

It’s a cliché, but the start of a new year is a good time to make plans and commitments.

Before things get too busy, you can identify things you can do differently – and hopefully better – and so grow in your job.

You may not know what the outcome will be, but you can only learn by trying new things!

So for our 33rd 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, make a library resolution.

Pick something you have maybe identified as a person goal in the past year, such as delivering a project, or learning a new skill or developing your knowledge or connections.

You can look back at some of our previous 10-Minute International Librarian ideas so far for inspiration.

A great idea can be to find a way to make your own work and practice more international!

Let us know your resolutions in the comments box below.

 

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

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 #32: Say thanks to all those who have helped you

It’s often said that libraries are instinctively collaborative institutions.

This takes place concretely through activities such as document supply or inter-library loan.

But we also see it through IFLA’s different committees, focused on working together to help each other, and the field as a whole.

This all takes time and effort of course.

While this comes naturally to most, it’s still good to give – and receive – gratitude.

So for our 32nd 10-Minute International Librarian exercise – and our last of 2020 – say thanks to all those who have helped you.

Think of those who have freely offered advice, taken on tasks, provided resources or anything else that has made your work easier.

Of course, 10 minutes may not be very much for this, but you can at least list those who have given you ideas, time, or other support over the last year.

It’s a helpful way to remember how connected we are, and how much we benefit from working together.

Share your stories in the comments below.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Key Initiative 3.2: Support virtual networking and connections.

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 #31: Think about what you can offer others in the field

The last months of the year are marked in a variety of cultures by festivals with a strong emphasis on giving.

Much of the time, this is about physical gifts, money or blessings.

But we can also give in other ways – of our time, our experience, and our energy.

IFLA depends heavily on library workers from around the world being ready to give in this way, to help others learn, improve practice, and advocate effectively.

Volunteering is indeed a great form of generosity!

So for our 31st 10-Minute International Librarian, think about what you can offer others in the field.

What particular skills or experience do you have that you can share? What resources have you created, or what connections can you make?

Can you support someone directly, for example as a mentor or coach? Or can you help more broadly by helping out with a project run by one of our professional units, or your own association?

Share your stories of the generosity of other members of our field in the comments below!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Key Initiative 2.3: Build a strong presence in international organizations and meetings as a valued partner.

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 #30: Think about how you can make meetings more engaging and inclusive

Meetings should be a great opportunity to share and learn from colleagues.

The shift to digital tools has made it easier than ever to connect with a wider range of people, brining huge potential.

However, of course, potential is not always reality, and Zoom-fatigue can easily set in.

While this is understandable, it shouldn’t turn us off communicating with each other, but rather encourage us to think about how to make the most of the opportunities we have to work together!

This can offer us richer opportunities to connect, including across borders and library types.

The pandemic period, for all the difficulty it has brought, should be a chance to get closer together as a field, without anyone being excluded by distance.

So for our 30th 10-Minute International Librarian, think about how you can make meetings more engaging and inclusive.

Think about the most effective ones in which you have participated, and what made them special. Can you replicate this?

What can you learn from meetings which were less effective, and what can you do about this? In particular, how can you make sure that everyone is properly engaged?

Share your ideas in the comments below!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 3.2 Support virtual networking and connections.

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: #29: Think how you can work with local representatives of international organisations

A key focus of our 10-Minute International Librarian series is the idea that you do not need to leave home to be active internationally.

This is true for work with IFLA, but can also be for cooperation with other international organisations, including intergovernmental ones.

This can be a really exciting way to strengthen the work of your national library field through accessing new resources and expertise, as well as increasing the status of libraries.

International organisations can also benefit a lot from working with our institutions.

Alongside the positive reputation of libraries, we can offer great opportunities to display information to the public, as well as reach into communities.

There’s a lot to gain from cooperation!

So for our 29th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, think about how you can work with local representatives of international organisations.

Use the list prepared in last week’s post as a starting point. Do you have projects or activities around heritage where you could work with local UNESCO commission?

Could you invite the local UN Information Centre or representation to a meeting to talk about the SDGs?

Are there local projects of UN HABITAT or others which could benefit from engaging with libraries?

Have a think about what you could do, and then use this list when setting out your future plans.

Share your ideas in the chat below.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 1.2 Build a strong presence in international organizations and meetings as a valued partner.

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.