Category Archives: General

New Uses of the Public Library – Seminar in Barcelona

Members of IFLA's Public Libraries Section at Esparreguera Library

Members of IFLA’s Public Libraries Section at Esparreguera Library

The Seminar ‘New uses of the public library’, held on 26 February 2015 in the functions room of the Design Museum of Barcelona and organised by the Barcelona Provincial Council Library Services Management Office with the cooperation of the Barcelona Libraries Consortium and the IFLA’s Public Libraries and Library Buildings and Equipment sections, provided a forum for debate on the changes that are taking place in the use of the public library and how they affect services, users, spaces and professionals.

One of the challenges currently facing library professionals is defining the library model in a global context marked by profound change and social and economic uncertainty. A constantly evolving society characterised by factors such as the increased use of technology, changes in cultural consumption, a trend towards immediate access to knowledge, a diversity of interests and multiculturalism.

These social factors are changing how citizens approach libraries and create new challenges in responding to needs and expectations in the design of library services and amenities. To address this, three round tables were organised on Users, Services and Professionals and composed, in all cases, of a local moderator, a professional from the Barcelona Municipal Libraries Network (MLN), a member of the Public Libraries section and a member of the Buildings section. The programme concluded with a presentation of good practices applied in the province of Barcelona.

Our colleagues in Barcelona have now provided a summary of discussions. I know that everyone who was in attendance will agree that it was an outstanding program that set the stage for ongoing debate and conversations.

 

Metlib in Zurich

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Our friends at Metlib have reminded us that registrations are open for their 47th Conference in Zürich!  With the theme Reaching Limits – Crossing Borders, the conference will be hosted by Pestalozzi-Library in Zürich, Switzerland, May 3-8. The unmissable programme includes four sessions with 10 speakers from Europe, North America and Asia, 8 visits to libraries, social evenings, face-to-face networking with librarians engaged in metropolitan areas all over the world.

Public Libraries at the Crossroads

Western Cape Mobile Library

Western Cape Mobile Library

The IFLA Public Libraries Section is excited to announce  a Satellite Meeting to be hosted by the City of Cape Town Library Service and the Western Cape Provincial Library Services on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 August 2015 in conjunction with the 81st IFLA General Conference and Assembly.

Public library services around the world have reached the cross-roads. Collection formats and community needs continue to evolve at a rapid pace. Technology plays a major role providing people with access to information; bringing library staff out from behind the desk to engage with users and delivering programs and activities, to suit the local community.

  •  How do Public Libraries cope with these changes?
  •  How do we plan and adapt our spaces to incorporate these changes?
  •  How do we reorganise our service models?

These are the questions we need? to answer through our exciting and very practical program. It’s a multi-pronged approach with a combination of keynote speakers, targeted papers and workshop sessions.

How can you be involved?  Why not propose a panel, a workshop or a debate Session theme and focus. The Call for Papers is now open but be quick, the closing date for applications is 22 February.

Mid-Term Program Now Available

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Members of IFLA’s Public Libraries Section are packing their bags in readiness for the upcoming Mid-Term meeting in Barcelona. As part of the Mid-Term the Barcelona Provincial Council in collaboration with the Consortium of Libraries of Barcelona and IFLA’s Public Libraries and Buidldings and Equipment Sections have developed a one day symposium New uses of the Public Library .

This will provide a space for reflection and debate on the new uses of the public Library , and how these changes affect service users and professionals and spaces without losing sight the importance of the value of libraries to the public.

 

National Libraries Day

Johnny Rotton

 

In a specially recorded message singer, songwriter and musician John Lydon, also known as Johnny Rotten, implores the UK to value its libraries and urges everyone to show their support on National Libraries Day, Saturday 7 February.

Crediting libraries and librarians for his recovery from memory loss after contracting meningitis as an eight year old, the audio message was recorded to mark the annual national celebration of libraries and library staff and follows the recent publication of Lydon’s autobiography, Anger is an Energy.  The recording will be available to listen to on Saturday 7 February via the National Libraries Day website.

7 February rounds off a week’s worth of celebrations hosted by libraries of all kinds around the UK for their communities, including a J.R.R. Tolkien trail walk, a school’s Guinness World Record attempt, stargazing and Warhammer and special appearances by local authors, historians and others.

Details of nationwide events are posted to the National Libraries Day online event map and people can show their support in person by joining a local event or by simply visiting their library during National Libraries Day week. Supporters can also share stories, messages and library ‘shelfies’ online and on social media.

First introduced in 2012, National Libraries Day is designed to say a collective thank-you to librarians and library staff everywhere and to raise awareness of the valued services they offer. Last year thousands of people took part in over 600 events and many public figures including well-known authors, illustrators, MPs and musicians sent messages of support.

Image source: “John Lydon Mosaic by Ed Chapman” by dullhunk, used under CC BY 2.0 / Background colour changed, text added and image cropped and resized

 

Statistical Profile Released

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Metlib has announced that the Statistical Survey of the Metropolitan Libraries Section of IFLA for 2012 is now available. It was compiled by Auckland Libraries on behalf of the Section. There was a participation from 49 libraries from all over the world.

Due to lack of funding this year it was not possible to elaborate the usual indicators and rankings. Metlib is forming a working group with the Public Libraries Section and the Statistics and Evaluation Section to discuss and approve a valid set of indicators.

‘Public Libraries in the United States Survey’ Released

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In 2012, Americans made 1.5 billion trips to public libraries in the United States—the equivalent of more than 4.1 million visits each day, according to new research by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The research indicates there is still a high demand for the resources and services of the nation’s approximately 9,000 public libraries. IMLS released the report, Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2012, an analysis of the most comprehensive annual data collection of US public library statistics.

The Survey  examines when, where, and how library services are changing to meet the needs of the public. These data, supplied annually by more than 97 % of public libraries across the country, provide information that policymakers and practitioners can use to make informed decisions about the support and strategic management of libraries.