Join us on March 25th for the first in a series of webinets from IFLA Library Buildings to inspire and stimulate ideas about new approaches to library design in challenging times.  Book here. Our three speakers are: Carolyn Robertson, Libraries and Information Manager at Christchurch City Council in New Zealand, who will present a scenario of maintaining and developing community library services against the background of New Zealand’s successful elimination approach to managing the pandemic; Cathal McCauley, University Librarian, Maynooth University, Ireland who will focus on the significance of reinvigorating and redeveloping library services in a disrupted environment while at the same time managing fluid services to the academic community in a constantly-changing environment; Ton van Vlimmeren, recently retired as Director from the Utrecht Public Library, who with a wealth of experience in European libraries and PICA Library Network, will reflect on the past and look forward to the future. The webinet will be hosted by Janine Schmidt and Marian Morgan Bindon.

The Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Centre hosted at the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been actively connecting libraries across the Central Asia. One way they promote information sharing and professional connection is through holding regular meetings and hosting master classes with colleagues from across the region.

One such meeting was held on 24 February within the framework of the School for the Preservation and Restoration of Written Documents, of the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and in cooperation with institutions concerned with the restoration of the region’s documentary cultural heritage.

This meeting featured a master class on the topic, "Bukhara School of Art: production of lacquer binding", offered by Department Head Salimov Marif and specialists of the Conservation and Restoration Service of the Abu Rayhon Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Specialists from Uzbekistan gave an overview of key features of this specific type of design of Central Asian books and shared their experience with conservation and restoration of these materials. They also answered numerous questions and gave recommendations to their colleagues.

The master class was of great interest to attendees, who expressed a desire to learn the skills of the Bukhara school and continue an online dialogue with other experts in the field. The meeting was moderated by the B. S. Sarsenbayeva, PhD, Head of the Restoration, Conservation and Binding Service of the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan and was attended by restorers from Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Russia.

This international relationship building and knowledge exchange is at the heart of IFLA’s PAC Programme! Find out more information about PAC online here.

Are you interested in building Open Science Communities? Would you like to learn more? Join this OpenAIRE webinar, hosted by EIFL, with Loek Brinkman, Assistant Professor at the University Medical Centre Utrecht, who will talk about Open Science Communities in the Netherlands. 

Are you interested in building Open Science Communities? Would you like to learn more? Join this OpenAIRE webinar, hosted by EIFL, with Loek Brinkman, Assistant Professor at the University Medical Centre Utrecht, who will talk about Open Science Communities in the Netherlands. 

Are you interested in building Open Science Communities? Would you like to learn more? Join this OpenAIRE webinar, hosted by EIFL, with Loek Brinkman, Assistant Professor at the University Medical Centre Utrecht, who will talk about Open Science Communities in the Netherlands. 

With access to information recognised as a key component of development in the UN 2030 Agenda, libraries have a powerful potential to contribute to success. A side event at the 7th African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development provided the opportunity to explore further.

This year's Forum is focusing this year on the topic of building forward better: towards a resilient and green Africa to achieve the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

Meaningful access to information can play a key role both in building resilience, and enabling the innovation and behaviour change necessary to move to more sustainable growth paths.

With a unique role in communities, libraries are well placed to support this, ensuring that access to information can be a reality for everyone.

Bringing together library professionals from across the continent, a side event organised by IFLA alongside Library Aid Africa provided an opportunity to explore the contribution of libraries to development, and what more can be done to support them.

Damilare Oyedele, co-founder of Library Aid Africa, moderated the session, welcoming the opportunity to raise the profile of libraries and to highlight the unique possibilities they offer amongst decision makers for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Alim Garga, Director of Library and Information Services at the National Assembly of Cameroon underlined potential of access to information to contribute to better lives and better societies.

Sarah Negumbo, Director of the Namibian Libraries and Archives Service, shared experiences from Namibia, where libraries had already shown how they could contribute to a wide variety of development goals.

She noted the support that libraries provided, for example, to agricultural workers, allowing them to develop new skills and apply new techniques, as well as often providing the only place where they could access other types of information.

Irene Onyancha, Chief of Library and Information Management Services at the UN Economic Commission for Africa, argued that at a time of pandemic, access to information was now a question of life and death.

All agreed that there was a need for investment in libraries, but that this would be one that would rapidly pay off.

Alim Garga noted, for example, how connectivity and better supported libraries could reach further. Irene Onyancha echoed this, suggesting that there was the potential to take on a role as a networked central hub, both physical and virtual, providing information, technology, and expert and dedicated staff.

Nonetheless, to achieve this, alongside investment in personnel and skills by funders, there would need to be proactive efforts by librarians to show that they are catalysts for sustainable development.

Agreeing with this, Sarah Negumbo noting that a further vital step would be to ensure that libraries can reach out more effectively to users and decision-makers alike.

Damilare Oyedele closed the event, thanking the panellists for their participation, wishing them success in their work to bring libraries to the heart of development policies.

IFLA is grateful to all those who participated in the event, and looks forward to discussions at the Europe and Asia-Pacific regional sustainable development fora about how libraries can contribute to the response to, and recovery from, COVID-19.

​

Aujourd'hui s'ouvre le processus de nomination pour les élections et les nominations de l'IFLA en 2021. Les candidats et candidates disposent de six semaines pour se présenter et les membres et affilié·e·s pour soumettre des candidatures pour les plus de 800 postes disponibles.

Lorsque vous - les membres de l'IFLA - avez offert votre soutien massif à la nouvelle gouvernance de l'IFLA le mois dernier, vous avez ouvert la porte à une Fédération plus inclusive, plus efficace et plus transparente.

Nos nouveaux statuts et règlements, qui entreront en vigueur après notre assemblée générale d'août, nous donnent les structures nécessaires pour réaliser l'ambition de notre stratégie.

Il est maintenant temps d'élire et de nommer les bénévoles qui, par leur énergie et leur expertise, donneront vie à notre nouveau conseil d'administration, nos conseils, comités, groupes et autres organes.

Grâce à des moyens nouveaux et plus variés de s'engager, il existe de nombreuses possibilités de contribuer à faire progresser le domaine des bibliothèques. Il y a plus de 800 postes disponibles, y compris le ou la président·e élu·e 2021-23. L'IFLA a besoin de vous !

Nous nous engageons à donner à chacun la possibilité de participer et espérons voir l'éventail de candidat·e·s le plus diversifié jamais vu pour des postes à l'IFLA à tous les niveaux, de toutes les régions du monde, à toutes les étapes de la carrière, dans tous les milieux et avec tous les types de compétences et d'expérience.

Si vous souhaitez vous présenter, jetez un coup d'œil à ce qu'impliquent tous les différents rôles, comme indiqué sur notre page web consacrée aux élections et aux nominations. Si vous pensez pouvoir remplir la plupart ou la totalité des conditions requises, vous trouverez également des instructions sur les prochaines étapes, notamment sur la manière de trouver des nominateurs ou nominatrices.

Pour les membres et les affilié·s· de l'IFLA, vous recevrez des informations sur votre rôle important dans la nomination des candidats et candidates. Nous avons besoin de votre aide pour identifier et soutenir les personnes qui s'engagent à apporter des changements dans notre profession et dans nos sociétés.

Rejoignez-nous. Nous sommes l'IFLA !

Bien à vous,

Gerald Leitner
Secrétaire général
La Haye, Pays-Bas
1er mars 2021

Hoy se abre el proceso de nominaciones para las elecciones y designaciones de la IFLA en 2021. Los candidatos tienen seis semanas para efectuar sus presentaciones, y los Miembros y Afiliados el mismo plazo para presentar sus nominaciones para más de 800 cargos disponibles.

Cuando el mes pasado ustedes, los - Miembros de la IFLA, - dieron su abrumador apoyo a la nueva gobernanza, abrieron la puerta a una Federación más inclusiva, eficaz y transparente. 

Nuestros nuevos Estatutos y Normas, que entrarán en vigencia luego de nuestra Asamblea General de agosto, nos brindan las estructuras necesarias para cumplir con el propósito de nuestra Estrategia.

Ahora es momento de elegir y designar a los voluntarios que, con su energía y experiencia, darán vida a nuestra nueva Junta de Gobierno, a los nuevos consejos, comisiones, grupos, etc..

Con nuevas y más formas de participar, surgen numerosas posibilidades de colaborar en el desarrollo del sector bibliotecario. Existen más de 800 cargos disponibles, incluido el de Presidente electo 2021-23. ¡IFLA los necesita!

Fundamentalmente, estamos empeñados en brindar a cada uno de ustedes la oportunidad de participar en este proceso, y esperamos contar con la mayor variedad de candidatos jamás vista para los distintos roles de la IFLA en todos los niveles, candidatos de todas partes del mundo, de todas las carreras, con los más diversos antecedentes y con todo tipo de conocimientos y experiencia.

Si le interesa algún cargo, analice los requisitos de los diferentes roles en base a la información de nuestra página web sobre elecciones y designaciones. Si usted considera que cumple con la mayoría de  los requisitos o con todos ellos, también encontrará las instrucciones sobre los pasos a seguir, inclusive cómo contactar a quienes efectúan las nominaciones.

Los Miembros y Afiliados de la IFLA, recibirán información sobre la importancia de su rol en la nominación de candidatos. Necesitamos su ayuda para identificar y apoyar a las personas comprometidas a lograr cambios en nuestra profesión y nuestras sociedades.

¡Únanse a nosotros!¡Somos la IFLA!

Atentamente,

Gerald Leitner
Secretario General
La Haya, Países Bajos
1 de marzo, 2021

اليوم افتتاح عملية الترشيحات لانتخابات الإفلا وتعييناتها لعام 2021. وأمام المرشحين ستة أسابيع ليعلنوا ترشحهم، وليتقدم الأعضاء والأعضاء المنتسبون بترشيحاتهم لأكثر من 800 مكان شاغر.

السادة أعضاء الإفلا، لقد كان دعمكم العارم لإدارة الإفلا الجديدة بالشهر الماضي مفتاحًا لاتحاد أكثر شمولية وتأثيرًا وشفافية.

فقوانيننا وقواعدنا الجديدة، التي سيُعمَل بها عقب اجتماع الجمعية العامة في شهر أغسطس، توفر لنا الهياكل اللازمة للوفاء بتحقيق طموحات استراتيجيتنا.

والآن، وقد حان موعد انتخاب المتطوعين وتعيينهم، والذين سيعيدون إحياء مجلس إدارتنا، ومجالسنا، ولجاننا، ومجموعاتنا الجديدة، وغيرها من الهيئات الأخرى من خلال طاقاتهم وخبراتهم.

ومن خلال طرق جديدة وأكثر تنوعًا للمشاركة، هناك إمكانيات كثيرة جدًّا للمساهمة في دفع مجال المكتبات إلى الأمام. فهناك أكثر من 800 مكان شاغر، بما في ذلك مقعد رئيس الإفلا لـ2021-2023. الإفلا بحاجة إليكم.

ومن المهم جدًّا أننا ملتزمون بتوفير فرص المشاركة للجميع، ونتمنى أن نشهد أكبر تنوع بين مجموعة مرشحين للإفلا على جميع المستويات، ومن جميع بقاع العالم، والمراحل الوظيفية، والخلفيات، وجميع أنواع الخبرات والتجارب.

إن كنت مهتمًّا بالتقدم، ألقِ نظرة على المطلوب من جميع الأدوار المختلفة على صفحتنا الإلكترونية للانتخابات والتعيينات. إن كان بإمكانك استيفاء جميع المتطلبات أو أغلبها، ستجد إرشادات أيضًا عن الخطوات التالية، بما في ذلك كيفية العثور على جهات ترشيح.

أما عن أعضاء الإفلا والأعضاء المنتسبين، فسوف تتلقون معلومات عن أدواركم المهمة في تسمية المرشحين. فنحن بحاجة لمساعدتكم في تحديد الأفراد المنوطين بصنع التغيير في مهنتنا ومجتمعاتنا، ودعمهم.

انضموا إلينا. نحن الإفلا.

مع أطيب التمنيات

جيرالد ليتنر
الأمين العام
لاهاي، هولندا
1 مارس 2021

​

Сегодня начинается избирательная кампания ИФЛА. В течение следующих шести недель все желающие могут предложить свои кандидатуры, а наши члены и аффилированные члены – представить номинации на более 800 вакансий.  

Когда в прошлом месяце вы, члены ИФЛА, подавляющим большинством проголосовали за новую структуру управления ИФЛА, вы открыли возможности для трансформации ИФЛА в более открытую, прозрачную и эффективную организацию.

Новые Правила процедуры, которые вступят в силу на следующий день после проведения Генеральной Ассамблеи в августе, позволят создать структуры, необходимые для реализации амбициозных целей нашей Стратегии.

Пришло время выбрать и назначить волонтеров, которые благодаря своей энергии и опыту вдохнут жизнь в работу нового Правления, советов, комитетов, групп и других подразделений ИФЛА.

Новые и более разнообразные способы участия в работе ИФЛА открывают множество возможностей для развития библиотечной отрасли. Открыто более 800 вакансий, в том числе пост избранного президента ИФЛА 2021-2023. Вы нужны ИФЛА!

Для нас критически важно предоставить возможность участвовать всем желающим, и мы надеемся увидеть самый разнообразный состав кандидатов на позиции в ИФЛА всех уровней: со всех частей мира, на любых этапах карьеры, с любым образованием, с самым разнообразным опытом и квалификацией.

Если вы хотели бы выдвинуть свою кандидатуру, ознакомьтесь с информацией о требованиях к кандидатам на различные должности, размещенной на странице выборов и назначений. Если вы считаете, что соответствуете большинству или всем требованиям, вам будет полезна информация о дальнейших шагах, включая поиск организаций, которые смогут выдвинуть вашу кандидатуру.

Члены и аффлированные члены ИФЛА получат информацию о том, как они смогут поучаствовать в выдвижении кандидатов. Мы нуждаемся в вашей помощи в поиске и поддержке коллег, стремящихся изменить нашу профессию и общество.

Присоединяйтесь к нам. ИФЛА  – это мы!

С наилучшими пожеланиями,

Джеральд Ляйтнер,

Генеральный секретарь

Гаага, Нидерланды

1 марта 2021 года

国际图联2021年任职人员提名程序于今日正式启动，参选者可在6个星期内提交申请，国际图联会员与附属机构可针对800多个开放职位提交提名。

上个月，各位会员为国际图联的新治理框架提供了巨大支持，同时也开启了一扇通向更具包容性、更有效和更透明的联合会的大门。

国际图联的新章程和规定将在8月召开的国际图联大会之后生效，它们为实现《国际图联战略》的目标提供了必要的组织层面的支持。

现在，国际图联将开始选举和任命任职人员，他们将发挥自己的能力和专长，为国际图联新一届管理委员会、理事会、委员会、特别兴趣组和其他机构增添活力。

有了新的、更加多样化的参与方式，我们就更有可能帮助推进图书馆事业的发展。我们现提供800多个开放职位，包括2021—2023年的当选主席。国际图联需要您的参与！

最重要的是，我们致力于为每个人提供参与的机会，并希望来自世界各地、各个职业阶段、拥有多样化背景以及专业知识和经验的人积极申请国际图联所有级别的职位。

有意参选者请登录选举与任命网页，了解不同职位的要求。如果您有信心能满足大部分或所有要求，请积极参选。该网页也提供了参选指南，包括如何找到提名人等。

国际图联会员和各附属机构将收到信息，了解自己在提名候选人方面的重要职责。我们需要各方的帮助，从而找到致力于推动图书馆事业和社会变革的人士。

欢迎加入国际图联大家庭！

祝好，

 

国际图联秘书长

杰拉德·莱特纳

荷兰海牙，2021年3月1日

Today, the nominations process for IFLA’s elections and appointments 2021 opens. There are six weeks for candidates to come forward, and for Members and Affiliates to submit nominations for the over 800 positions available.

When you – IFLA’s Members – offered your overwhelming support for IFLA’s new governance last month, you opened the door to a more inclusive, effective and transparent Federation.

Our new Statutes and Rules, which will enter into effect following our August General Assembly, give us the structures necessary to deliver on the ambition of our Strategy.

Now, it is time to elect and appoint the volunteers who, through their energy and expertise, will bring life to our new Governing Board, councils, committees, groups and other bodies.

With new and more varied ways to engage, there are so many possibilities to help advance the library field. There are over 800 positions available, including President-elect 2021-23. IFLA needs you!

Crucially, we are committed to giving everyone the opportunity to participate, and hope to see the most diverse range of candidates ever for IFLA roles at all levels, from all parts of the world, all career stages, all backgrounds, and all types of expertise and experience.

If you are interested in standing, take a look at what is involved with all the different roles, as set out on our elections and appointments webpage. If you think you can meet most or all of the requirements, you will also find instructions on next steps, including how you can find nominators.

For IFLA's Members and Affiliates, you will receive information on your important role in nominating candidates. We need your help to identify and support individuals committed to making change in our profession and in our societies.

Join us. We are IFLA!

Kind regards,

Gerald Leitner
Secretary General
The Hague, Netherlands
1 March 2021

​

Heute beginnt das Nominierungsverfahren für die IFLA-Wahlen und -Ernennungen 2021. In den nächsten sechs Wochen können sich KandidatInnen vorstellen und unsere Mitglieder und Mitgliedsorganisationen können Nominierungen für die über 800 verfügbaren Positionen einreichen.

Als Sie - die Mitglieder der IFLA – im letzten Monat mit überwältigender Mehrheit die Änderung unserer Organisationsführung beschlossen haben, haben Sie die Tür zu einer integrativeren, effektiveren und transparenteren Organisation geöffnet.

Unsere neuen Statuten und Regeln, die nach unserer Generalversammlung im August 2021 in Kraft treten werden, geben uns die notwendigen Strukturen, um die ehrgeizigen Ziele unserer Strategie zu erreichen.

Jetzt ist es an der Zeit, die KandidatInnen zu wählen und zu ernennen, die mit ihrer Energie und ihrem Fachwissen unser neues Präsidium, die Räte, Komitees, Gruppen und andere Gremien mit Leben erfüllen werden.

Mit neuen und vielfältigeren Chancen, sich zu engagieren, gibt es so viele Möglichkeiten, den Bibliotheksbereich voranzubringen. Es stehen über 800 Positionen zur Verfügung, darunter auch die des President-elect 2021-23. IFLA braucht Sie!

Wir wollen allen die Möglichkeit geben, sich zu beteiligen, und hoffen, dass wir die größtmögliche Vielfalt an KandidatInnen für IFLA-Positionen auf allen Ebenen, aus allen Teilen der Welt, allen Karrierestufen und allen Arten von Fachwissen und Erfahrung sehen werden.

Wenn Sie an einer Kandidatur interessiert sind, schauen Sie sich bitte auf unserer Webseite für Wahlen und Ernennungen an, was mit den verschiedenen Funktionen verbunden ist. Wenn Sie der Meinung sind, dass Sie die meisten oder alle Anforderungen erfüllen können, finden Sie dort auch Anleitungen zu den nächsten Schritten, einschließlich der Frage, wie Sie Nominatoren finden können.

IFLA-Mitglieder und  Organisationen erhalten zusätzliche Informationen über Ihre wichtige Rolle bei der Nominierung von KandidatInnen. Wir brauchen Ihre Hilfe, um Personen zu identifizieren und zu unterstützen, die sich für Veränderungen in unserem Beruf und in unserer Welt einsetzen.

Schließen Sie sich uns an. Wir sind IFLA!

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

Gerald Leitner

Generalsekretär

Den Haag, Niederlande

1. März 2021

Dear Friends,

Hope all of you are well.

We are happy to share with you the February 2021 issue of our IFLA Asia and Oceania Regional Quarterly Newsletter.  

In this issue, we are proud to congratulate Mr. Winston Roberts from our Asia and Oceania Region on being awarded the IFLA Scroll of Appreciation at the IFLA General Assembly on 5 November 2020. You can find out more of the recent publication by the National Library of Indonesia on “Impact Stories of Library Transformation based on Social Inclusion”, as well as discover the “Memories of Two Cities”, a pictorial exhibition jointly presented by the Capital Library of China and the National Library Board Singapore. 

Please open the PDF attachment to access the links.

Do enjoy the articles in this issue and continue to stay safe.

Take care everyone.

Best regards,

Ms Lin Li SOH

Manager | IFLA Regional Office 
Asia & Oceania
c/o National Library Board Singapore

Interested in connecting with CPDWL members on Linkedin? Here we are! https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13947624/

Join us and share your professional development tips, resources and ideas with the global library community!

This is the fifth in a series of monthly updates on the Fedora Migration Paths and Tools project – please see last month’s post for a summary of the work completed up to that point. This project has been generously funded by the IMLS.

A couple project-related presentations will be delivered at upcoming conferences: Paige Morfitt from Whitman College will present with David Wilcox on Mapping Metadata: Cleaning and controlling fields to improve migrations on March 24th at the online Code4Lib Conference. A more general update on Fedora 6.0 and the work we’ve been doing on the grant project will take place at the upcoming CNI Spring Meeting.

Meanwhile the Whitman College pilot team completed an initial installation of Islandora using Drupal 9 and an Alpha build of Fedora 6.0. This instance has been populated with test content so the team can begin reviewing against the spreadsheet of functional requirements to determine any gaps and how to address them. At the same time, test migrations using real data will begin using the Islandora Workbench tool. The workflow for using this tool will be documented so others can follow a similar path.

The University of Virginia pilot has been on hold while work on Fedora 6.0 and the migration validation utility progresses. Changes between the Alpha and (soon to be released) Beta versions of Fedora 6.0 will require another run of the migration utility, after which the data will be validated before being tested with the latest build of Fedora 6.0.

With the impending release of Fedora 6.0 Beta we are quickly approaching production release, which is a prerequisite for the completion of the pilots. Over the next couple months we will validate the UVA migrated data, test this data in Fedora 6.0, and ensure front-end services have been updated accordingly. At the same time, we will run test migrations of different data types in the Whitman College Islandora instance while going through the list of functional requirements and making a plan for addressing any gaps.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates!

 

The post Fedora Migration Paths and Tools Project Update: February 2021 appeared first on Duraspace.org.

As the Safer Internet month draws to a close, libraries around the world scale up, maintain and continue to explore new ways to champion digital literacy, online safety and wellbeing in their communities.

In a new interview, Pam Ryan discusses the experiences of Toronto Public Library: the different digital literacy learning formats TPL explored over the years; the initiatives running today; and the ways TPL has adjusted its digital literacy programming in light of the pandemic.

IFLA: What initiatives and activities to support digital skills learning and online privacy does the Toronto Public Library run at the moment?

Pam Ryan: Digital inclusion and literacy are among TPL’s five strategic priorities. Access to technology and the skills to navigate and use it are critical for all Torontonians to be successful, connected and well.

Our Digital Privacy initiatives began in 2016 and we offer programs and services to help Torontonians gain the digital literacy skills they need to succeed in the digital world. All of our strategic priorities are considered through an Equity Lens. We are committed to helping level the playing field for all Torontonians with a particular focus on equity-seeking groups and vulnerable populations, breaking down barriers to access and increasing inclusion so everyone who wants to use the library feels welcome and represented in our spaces, is able to access our services, and can benefit from the outcomes we’re driving.

In June 2019, the City of Toronto became a signatory on the Declaration of Cities for Digital Rights. As part of that adoption and in recognition of the work TPL already had begun in this area, the City Council funded a new position for TPL to be dedicated to the creation of programming to further digital safety and literacy in support of the Declaration’s five principles.

The first three of these principles speak to the importance of offering digital privacy programs and services: universal and equal access to the internet and digital literacy; privacy, data protection and security; transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination of data, content and algorithms.

The responses to our programs in the area of digital literacy and privacy have been very positive and there is a huge appetite for more. We will grow our programs in the coming years to further reflect the priorities of the Cities for Digital Rights declaration and our communities’ interests.

 

Photo by courtesy of Toronto Public Library

Could you tell us a bit more about the different formats and approaches to digital skills-building that you have explored over the past few years?

TPL has provided a variety of different formats and approaches to help our learners build their digital skills and awareness about privacy.

In-person programs are one key way we deliver this information. Our staff-led workshops have included a recurring four-part Digital Privacy series that teaches learners how to better understand the threats and myths about online security and how to strengthen their computer and online security. Staff have also hosted algorithmic literacy workshops to help learners understand the complexity of their online environments, including a Do-It-Yourself machine learning kit that supported self-directed tinkering. Most recently last October, we launched our Let’s Talk Privacy video series, which covered basic privacy concepts over 6 videos.

We continue to work with external experts and partners. Programs with external presenters have included speakers from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association's Privacy, Surveillance, and Technology Project, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, and leading academics and legal scholars that have covered a range of topics including privacy and freedom, privacy rights, and user privacy on the Web.

In 2018, we hosted a Digital Privacy Expo in partnership with Tor, the CitizenLab at the University of Toronto and the Digital Justice Lab. This full-day program attracted nearly 350 guests who attended sessions that covered privacy and security on the 21st Century Internet, Canadian privacy law, an insider’s look at spyware and malware and a panel on privacy tech featuring leading technologists.

In 2018, TPL hosted the Glass Room Experience, a temporary interactive art installation by Mozilla and Tactical Tech.org that explored the companies and mechanisms that make our everyday technology and the connection to the Internet of Things. Participants were invited to play Fake or Real – a Glass Room exhibit – to see how smart they are in knowing about the world of smart devices.

That same year, the TOR browser was installed on our learning centre computers, which is a free and open source web browser that anonymizes your web traffic using the Tor network, making it easy to protect your identity online. Our intention is that, in order to help people learn how to protect themselves against online tracking, surveillance and censorship, we need the tools available for in-person instruction. This initiative won a 2019 American Library Association Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects.

One of the big takeaways from our experiences is that there is such a hunger and need for this information. The community wants to learn more about these topics and how they affect their day-to-day life. We benefitted from the expertise of the larger community and it was through working with presenters and partners that we were able to amplify our staff’s expertise and our work to greater results.

TPL has long been very active in supporting digital literacy and skills-building for your communities. Did you adjust or adapt these activities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic?

When library branches closed in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic, TPL quickly transitioned our programs to online.

Our staff are hosting a wide variety of digital literacy and skills programs covering topics such as web and graphic design, coding, Adobe software, podcasting, photography and more. From April to December 2020, our Digital Innovation Team hosted nearly 120 online programs for over 1,700 learners.

The pandemic has and continues to expose key issues around privacy. Our online programs spotlighted these timely topics. External presenters spoke about artificial intelligence, privacy and social media in the age of COVID-19. We featured an interview with Canadian law professor Michael Geist about the creation and privacy considerations of the government’s COVID Alert App. Our Innovation Council presented a panel that shared the work of women leading efforts using AI and explored issues including gender and racial bias in AI and the importance of approaching AI through a diversity and inclusion lens.

Most recently this January, the library launched Seniors Tech Help, a pilot program that connects seniors via e-mail or phone to a library staff member who can provide one-on-one support with tech-related inquiries.

This March, we will host an Innovator in Residence on the topic of data privacy. This 10-week online residency features privacy lawyer Migan Migardichian who will host programs and workshops on topics such as privacy law, privacy design, smart cities, open data and even privacy as it relates to space law!

 

 

Photo by courtesy of Toronto Public Library

What advice would you give to libraries who would like to start building up or expanding their programming around digital skills and privacy?

Digital skills and privacy are universal topics and how you interpret these topics will be unique to the interests and needs of your community. Your staff will know best what interest your customers and by keeping up with the latest news, research and articles about this subject area.

You can take a look at what other libraries and community organizations have done. See if there are open and shared resources that you can draw on, adapt and build upon to meet the unique learning needs of your customers. Survey your staff teams as there will undoubtedly be individuals with the skills, knowledge and enthusiasm for these subject areas that can help build your programming.

Reach out to your community and connect with the academic or community agency experts who are examining or developing and providing services in this work. Bring them in to share their expertise and work. Partner with organizations and groups that are doing relevant and impactful work in this area to leverage their expertise and to connect them with your community.

Experiment! Be open to trying things out. Sometimes things will work out and you can find ways to scale them up. Sometimes, a program might not work out as you had imagined but there are also important lessons to be learned from these experiences.

 

Toronto Public Library

Pam Ryan, Director, Service Development & Innovation and TPL’s Innovation, Learning and Service Planning Team

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Closely aligned to IFLA Key Initiative 3.3 “Empower the field at the national and regional levels” the Mexican library field is paving the ways for libraries not only in Mexico, but also throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to empower, revolutionize and innovate.

 

 
The empowering work of the Mexican Association of Librarians

The Asociación Mexicana de Bibliotecarios (AMBAC), the largest association of librarians and information professionals in Mexico, has lately been contributing to the achievement of the IFLA Strategy 2019-2024.

The Association's annual plan considers each of the four IFLA Strategic Directions, with actions and projects established and carried out for each of these areas.

The Association has rapidly expanded its official YouTube channel, through broadcasting a vast number of webinars on different areas of interest, thus enhancing the capacity building of Mexican and other Spanish speaking library professionals around the globe.

A few examples of the webinars offered are:

• Reading in times of COVID-19
• GLAM: labour trends for the information professional
• Intellectual property and repositories
• Makerspaces: the diversification of library collections and services
• Round Table: The Social Library: from the Human Library to digital humanism
• Libraries contribute to the formation and transformation of their communities. "Reading sustains"
• Roundtable-Conversation: Libraries in the context of Sustainable Development 

An important Round Table entitled: "Libraries in the context of sustainable development" was held on August 18, 2020 during one of the two Forums for the 2030 Agenda. Those Forums have been the result of the joint effort of several university institutions and the main library associations in Mexico, including the General Directorate of Libraries, the Institute for Bibliotechnology and Information Research, AMBAC, the National College of Librarians, CONPAB and IFLA. during the aforementioned Conference.

Statistics so far show that AMBAC’s webinars are highly attended by librarians not only in Mexico, but also in other Spanish speaking countries. For example, one of their webinars first broadcast in August 2020, the Roundtable-Conversation: Libraries in the context of Sustainable Development, has been watched 2,810 times, by librarians  from 11 countries (see the statistics below).

With all this work currently being done by AMBAC, it is not a surprise that many innovative projects have emerged in Mexico to address the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• The Mexican Chamber of Deputies and the Mexican Association of Librarians (AMBAC) organized the colloquium entitled "Libraries and Sustainable Development Goals: Good Practices in Latin America and the Caribbean", held at the Chamber's facilities located in Mexico City on March 2, 2020.

 

To demonstrate the power of libraries in the implementation of the SDGs, AMBAC’s associates, like Rosa Chavarria carried out important actions in Mexico.

The “17 de Abril” library located in the city of Cuernavaca, in the state of Morelos, held a training workshop for 150 librarians for the sustainable development. With the library staff having learnt how to work with the SDGs, they developed projects to be carried out in their libraries. The projects differ and benefit the entire community: workers, women, children and librarians themselves.

A few examples are:

1. “Agenda 2030 and SDGs” workshop for librarians, taught by a UN-Mexico volunteer and a member of the Council of the Youth of the State of Morelos
2. “Introduction to gender equality policies”, workshop given by the Training Director of the Morelos State Institute for Women.
3. “Disruptive innovation for public libraries 2030” taught by an UN-Mexico volunteer and member of the Council of Youths of the State of Morelos
4. “Development of social projects” given by Rosa Elena Chavarria Flores, “17 de Abril” Library.

  

 
Innovative work by the Colegio Nacional de Bibliotecarios

In 2019, another Mexican library association, the Colegio Nacional de Bibliotecarios A. C. (CNB) celebrated its 40th anniversary. As part of this celebration, a ceremony was held in which IFLA Secretary General, Gerald Leitner participated, talking about the importance of library associations and the strengthening of the library profession.

In early 2020, before the global lockdown, the CNB participated as co-organiser of the event called: “Bridging the gap between research and practice in library science”. This event was held in conjunction with other institutions and brought together different IFLA sections.

Since the middle of 2020, CNB has held several events related to the library community. Among these was the webinar “Documenting LGBTTTIQ[1] + history: experiences and needs”, where representatives of various communities spoke about the importance of documenting the history of LGBTTTIQ+ collectives today.

In addition, another event held at the CNB was the virtual forum “Educational programs in librarianship: challenges and visions against the COVID-19”, where library schools in Mexico presented their position on the pandemic and lockdown, and how they are responding to the challenges that have impacted the library education.

Finally, as part of the celebration of Mexico's National Librarians’ Day (July 20), a virtual forum was held on “The Prospective of librarianship: present and future”, in which three generations of library professionals spoke about their current perception of the library profession today.

 

[1] LGBTTTIQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, intersex and queer.

​

Read more about the IFLA Strategy 2019-2024

How is your library or library association engaging with the IFLA Strategy? Let us know! Post on your social media, using the hashtag #IFLAStrategy and #WeAreIFLA or send an email to Despina Gerasimidou, IFLA’s Strategic Development Officer at despina.gerasimidou@ifla.org.

 

      

Minutes of meetings have recently been posted:

• 2020: August, Virtual

• 2021: January, Virtual (Meeting January 29)

New tools have been added in the page dedicated to the Relindial Cartonera Project. Guidelines and flyers in German Language are now available and can be downloaded.