It was standing room only at both of the Public Libraries Standing Committee's Buisness Meetings in beautiful Kuala Lumpur last month. In addition to the 17 SC members who were able to attend, we were joined by 45 observers from 15 countries. A truly international mix!

The Minutes of our meetings are now available on-line including links to the presentations given by SC members and guests. 

We finished with the now traditional photo shoot.

Can new librarians have a voice? Training and professional development vs workplace reality.

Join presenters Christine Mackenzie, Catharina Isberg, Elham Sayyad-Abdi and Antoine Torrens as they share their perspectives on this all-important topic.

Monday, 24 September 2018 (Chicago 7am, Paris 2pm, Melbourne 10pm). Visit the World Clock to check the relevant time in your own location. 

The recording of the event will be made available.

Helping researchers to effectively manage, archive and share their data can be challenging. TU Delft believes that in data management there tend to be very few (if any) one-size fit all solutions. In addition, centralised support does not always find its way to all the departments and faculties. Therefore, there is a need to offer…

The post Webinar Video: TU Delft’s Data Stewardship Project appeared first on LIBER.

There has been significant media coverage of the vote in the European Parliament last week on a revised Copyright Directive. Off the back of the mixed results, we (LIBER’s Copyright & Legal Matters Working Group) thought it appropriate to summarise where we stand in the process leading up to a new European Directive on copyright…

The post European Copyright Reform: How Did We Get Here & What Happens Next? appeared first on LIBER.

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What were your goals?

Association Sénégalaise des Bibliothécaires, Archivistes et Documentalistes (ASBAD) mainly aimed at three objectives through this project:

1. Build capacity of current and emerging leaders in Senegalese library sector on governance and management of library association.
2. Sensitize and train members of the Association on the role and impact of librarian profession in society and national development through cascade workshops in Association branches, interest groups and other frameworks of commitment.
3. Develop a strong and sustainable professional association in Senegal.

The national workshop was opened to current and emerging library sector leaders from Mali, Guinea Bissau and Ivory Coast.

How did you plan to make this happen?

The program of the project was spread over four workshops between October 2017 and February 2018. Three zonal workshops were organized at the level of the regional sections throughout the national territory. A national workshop open to the sister associations of the countries of the sub-region came to close this series of training.

Each workshop was the subject of Terms of Reference to establish the roadmap. The selection of participants was based on a call for applications with criteria established at the start.

The national documentary institutions, the institutional members of the Association and the partners have always been invited to the official ceremonies of the various workshops.

Each workshop was facilitated by five trainers. The participatory approach was favored. For the animation of the zonal workshops the experts of the libraries (Director and heads of institutions) at the local level were involved.

Concerning the national workshop, the Chair of IFLA's Africa Section came to strengthen the trainers' body as an international expert.

With a well-established communication plan, the workshops were mostly covered by the national press. The various communication and information channels of the Association have been used to support all the actions of the process.

How did it work?

Three zonal workshops of two days each in different parts of the country with members of the Association at the base were organized.  A critical mass of colleagues who are able to carry the projects of the association and its animation were selected.

62 librarians, old and new members of the Association were trained. The participants were effectively sensitized on the importance of having a strong library sector, the role and impact of the librarian professions in society and in national development, the importance of collecting data on the library sector. They were trained also in data mining, marketing techniques, lobbying and advocacy on behalf of the library sector.

The program wrapped up with a 3-day national workshop that brought current leaders of the association together with leaders of student library associations, interest groups leaders, and other responsible persons of sections and frameworks of commitment such as Corps of volunteers. It was open also to professional groups outside the Association and colleagues holding project in favor of the community. The selection was made on the basis of a call for applications supplemented by invitations to officials and representatives of the sister associations of the sub region (Mali, Guinea Bissau and Ivory Coast).

The workshop addressed the themes of the 6 modules of the IFLA BSLA Program to build a strong library association. In addition sessions on intergenerational conversation, association culture, developing action plans was in the program. Major IFLA projects and involvements have been presented also like library and UN Agenda 2030, IFLA- IAP, IGVP, LMOW, DA2I.

The interactive sessions during all the workshops facilitated a collective brainstorming that produced excellent lines of work for the association and for the regional branches.

At the end of the process, a total of 76 colleagues were trained during these four workshops. All of them committed at the completion of the workshops to be more active in engagement, awareness and action. The first notable results are the renewed interest in the Association, including new applications for membership from different categories of colleagues and the rush toward our virtual and physical information points.

11 training experts were mobilized in the process of the 4 workshops. These include the former Director of the IFLA Francophone Center, three university library directors, two university professors in library science, and current and past Association officials who have participated in at least two international BSLA workshops and the chair of IFLA Africa Section, as international expert guest.

How did you use communications during the project?

To conduct the process adequately and to communicate efficiently, a communication plan was drafted using the Association digital tools and channels (Newsletter, listserv, Facebook page, Twitter profile, Instagram), classical media TV and Newspaper which cover activities, and also shows TV. Many official letters was sent to different stakeholders (Policy makers, institutional members of the Association, partners) etc.

A dynamic digital policy documents all the process based on our digital identity asbadsn, from call for application to the promotion of the events and follow- up of activities.

Links to workshop albums:

• Dakar zonal workshop
• Thies zonal workshop
• Saint-Louis zonal workshop
• National workshop opened to Mali, Guinee Bissau and Ivory Coast

What did you learn in the process?

The series of workshops has sparked renewed interest around the Association; interactive discussions have also deconstructed the false image that many colleagues had of the Association.

Such workshops give self-confidence to participants and facilitate their commitment to action on behalf of the community.

The relevance of the participatory approach adopted in the implementation of the program which had facilitated during the process a better understanding between stakeholders in the library sector. The program was an effective way to engage the different institutional and associative actors.

The importance of having decentralized zonal workshops was valuable; it has awakened the feeling of belonging to the same professional community of several colleagues who participated.

Establishing transparent selection criteria from the outset helped to avoid frustrations and challenges in the selection of participants

The challenges of driving such type of program alongside institutional and professional commitments of board members.

Difficulties to adapt the funding model to the realities of the field and the program's funding chapters.

It appears the need to constantly re-adapt the communication policy of the Association by taking into account some parameters as the specificities of the young target.

The openness to sister associations in neighboring countries facilitates the implementation of sub-regional activities.

What are your next steps?

• Leverage the momentum of engagement of participants from different workshops to have a strong voice around a shared vision.
• Build a dynamic framework based on the energy that has emerged from the gathering of current and potential leaders of the library sector in Senegal and the sub-region.
• Implement a synergy of action based on the cohorts of trained colleagues, the institutions involved, the committed partners and the authorities that accompanied the process of workshops.
• Run a project to a collect and exploit library sector data in Senegal and in the Francophone sub-Saharan region.
• Engage trained colleagues as a force of contribution and proposition to conduct advocacy campaigns internal and external to the Association.
• Create a real craze around professional values and go to the development of codes of ethics and deontology of the profession at national level.
• Implement sectoral animation programs at the branches level of the Association and other remote locations in the country.
• Rely on the strength that comes from the interactivity of young professionals and experienced professionals around a strong leadership to carry out large-scale actions at zonal, national and sub regional levels.
• Meet with the national authorities in charge of the sector on the implementation and follow up of conclusions and orientations issued by the workshops.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, 13 September 2018—

In a vote on copyright today, Members of the European Parliament offered welcome support to libraries’ heritage work. However, disappointing decisions elsewhere mean that IFLA, its members and its partners will need to continue working towards a law that empowers libraries to help users share, create and innovate.

IFLA Secretary General Gerald Leitner said:

Libraries across Europe are working hard to build stronger, richer, fairer societies through access to information. We need forward-looking copyright reforms to deliver this. Europe still has a way to go before it has the laws its libraries deserve".

The European Union’s draft Directive on copyright has been the subject of intense discussion for almost two years. It is a crucial document for libraries, with provisions relating both to core activities for our institutions, as well as the way people express themselves and access information online.

IFLA has therefore worked hard on behalf of its European members, and in order to set the right precedent internationally. Our members have engaged with their representatives as part of a concerted campaign. And in most of the areas where libraries have focused most, there has been welcome progress.

If the text agreed by the Parliament becomes law, libraries will have clearer possibilities to digitise works for preservation, including via cross-border networks. They will benefit from possibilities to digitise and upload books, articles and other documents which are no longer on sale, and so not available anywhere else. And they will have a right to benefit from copyright exceptions for teaching.

Yet elsewhere, the majority of the European Parliament voted for provisions which could do serious damage to the not-for-profit platforms that host open access articles and open educational resources. They also proposed to make use of two-word fragments of news articles subject to payment. Finally, they have introduced complexity into the rules around text and data mining, which could create confusion and risk setting Europe further behind in the global innovation field.

The next stage for the reform is discussions between the European Commission, and representatives of the Parliament and Member States. IFLA will make sure that all involved know what they need to do to set the right course for a more creative, innovative future.

See our analysis of the impact on libraries of the Parliament's position.

About IFLA

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. Founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1927 at an international conference, IFLA now has over 1,400 Members in more than 140 countries around the world. IFLA was registered in the Netherlands in 1971. The Royal Library, the national library of the Netherlands, in The Hague, generously provides the facilities for IFLA headquarters.

 

The European Parliament today voted to approve proposed changes to copyright reform. LIBER welcomes improvements which will help libraries to better preserve, digitise and share their collections but remains deeply concerned that a lack of support for critical technologies such as Text and Data Mining (TDM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) imply a bleak future for…

The post European Research & Innovation At Risk After Copyright Vote appeared first on LIBER.

Following the launch of a guide to implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty and a statement on copyright literacy at the World Library and Information Congress, IFLA has continued to make the case for copyright that works for libraries. In the last two weeks, the focus has been on the operation of collective rights management and the EU’s copyright reforms.

 

Getting Collective Rights Management Right

IFLA’s work on copyright involves advocacy at both the international and regional/national levels. We argue that libraries need the right laws and practices, everywhere, in order to do their jobs.

At the international level, IFLA is closely engaged in the work of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). As well as providing a forum to discuss copyright law, WIPO has an important role in improving the operation of copyright on the ground.

In order to support this, the Organisation is producing a best practice toolkit setting out rules and codes of conduct for the work of collective rights management organisations.

These bodies collect money when works – books, songs, films – are used, and pay them to creators. They can play a very useful role in simplifying the operation of copyright, not least for libraries. However, for the sake of libraries, users and creators, they need to be well-managed.

Working with EIFL and the International Council on Archives, IFLA has therefore submitted comments to WIPO on the second draft of this guide. This follows a response to the first public draft earlier this year.

These comments underline the need to respect limitations and exceptions to copyright as well as openly licensed works, as well as ensure that libraries are fully engaged in licence discussions.

A new version of the toolkit will be available in the coming months.

 

Crucial Decisions in Europe

As part of its efforts to support its members in their own advocacy, IFLA has played an active role in the ongoing European copyright reform.

This reform creates both opportunities and risks for libraries. At best, it will offer clarity to libraries that they can continue to support research, education and preservation in a digital age, as well as giving access to works which cannot be bought on the market.

At worst, it could lead to unnecessary complexity and restrictions on library activities, and do major damage to the open access and open education movements.

IFLA has therefore submitted voting recommendations to all Members of the European Parliament, and has invited libraries across Europe to echo these points to their own representatives. In this, we have been lucky to work with a strong coalition of organisations representing libraries, universities and research organisations, notably EBLIDA, LIBER, EUA, Science Europe, SPARC Europe, and EIFL.

Read more about the position taken by IFLA in our previous news story, and contact us if you want to get involved.

The European Parliament will hold a critical vote on the draft copyright directive on Wednesday. It may be last time the details of the Directive are discussed in an open and transparent way. LIBER is therefore asking its libraries to contact their Members of the European Parliament and encourage them to vote in support of…

The post LIBER Libraries: Urge Your MEPs to Support Libraries in the Copyright Vote appeared first on LIBER.

This guide, edited by Victoria Owen, and with the wecome support of the World Blind Union, the Canadian Association of Research LIbraries, and the Unviersity of Toronto, offers answers to frequently asked questions. It can also be adapted by national actors to their own laws - IFLA encourages this, in order to get the largest possible number of libraries involved. 

The guide is available in the following languages:

• English (pdf, word)
• Français (pdf, word)
• Espanol (pdf, word) 

This guide, edited by Victoria Owen, and with the wecome support of the World Blind Union, the Canadian Association of Research LIbraries, and the Unviersity of Toronto, offers answers to frequently asked questions. It can also be adapted by national actors to their own laws - IFLA encourages this, in order to get the largest possible number of libraries involved. 

The guide is available in the following languages:

• English (pdf, word)
• Français (pdf, word)
• Espanol (pdf, word) 

​Next Wednesday, all of the European Parliament’s 751 Members will have the opportunity to amend the draft Directive on copyright. In doing so, they will send a message to Europe’s citizens, teachers, creators and researchers. 

Crucially, Wednesday’s discussion and vote is the last opportunity for a truly open and transparent discussion on this legislation. The version that comes out will go into ‘trilogue’ discussions behind closed doors between the Parliament, Member States and the Commission.

So what message should MEPs to send to libraries and their users?

Research and Innovation

To date, Europe has taken a leading role in promoting open science internationally. Open science brings major benefits in terms of efficiency (reducing the risk of duplicating studies), transparency (avoiding fraud and promoting reproducibility) and access (you don’t need to be registered at a major institution to read the results).

However, it has been a slower mover in promoting exciting new technologies such as text and data mining, thanks to inconsistency in copyright approaches. There are those who would like to keep things that way, making the right to mine subject to additional payments and permissions.

Moreover, there are risks that the repositories that provide a vital infrastructure for open access will be subject to the same sort of regulation as major Internet platforms, potentially putting them out of business.

MEPs should send the message that Europe is consistent in its support of open science. They can facilitate a key emerging technology by ensuring that text and data mining is not restricted by unnecessary copyright rules and regulation. They can ensure that the scientific repositories that provide the backbone of open access are not forced to go to court when a user uploads the wrong version of an article. And they can ensure that documents used in teaching or which have been preserved can still be used for research, as well as reject the creation of new barriers to the use of articles and journals.

Education and Learning

Education will be a particular focus at the United Nations next year as part of the ongoing 2030 Agenda. It is, of course, at the heart of any policy aimed at supporting development at the individual and community level. Libraries are a key player in achieving this, both as a complement to schools during childhood, and then as a primary provider of lifelong learning to adults.

The right teaching resources can make a major difference. Publishers have long produced textbooks, but teachers – both in schools, and in libraries and other places – are increasingly looking to use other materials, as well as to create their own, specially adapted to the needs of their students.

The draft Directive has raised the question whether even the smallest uses of other documents – images, articles, videos – in the classroom should be subject to licensing. It has also opened the possibility of different rules applying to digital and more ‘traditional’ uses.

IFLA calls on MEPs to send the message that Europe wants all educators to be able to do the best for all learners. To do this, they should ensure that teachers do not need to pay extra to make basis use of articles, images, videos and other material in their teaching. They should make it clear that it is the act of educating, not the place where it takes place that matters, and call for the same rules to apply to both physical and digital uses.

Culture and Heritage

In the European Year of Cultural Heritage, there have been many reminders of the richness and diversity of European culture. Libraries play a vital role in preserving the creativity of the past, as well as promoting the creativity of the future.

The right copyright laws are essential for this work. They can ensure that libraries are free to take preservation copies of the works to which they have access. They can save money by allowing libraries to work across borders on digitisation projects. And they can give libraries the space to encourage their users to create and share their own creations.

However, the reforms could also impose new rules that keep books and other materials locked away until they become public domain, or even prevent libraries from taking preservation copies without permission or payment.

IFLA calls on MEPs to send the message that Europe believes that culture and creativity should be accessible for all. To do this, they should ensure that libraries’ have a clear right to make preservation copies of works, and that as far as possible, they should be able to give access. They should also protect the possibility to use Internet platforms to share original content and ideas.

What can you do?

• Contact your MEP! You can download a template text for an e-mail here, and a list of Members of the European Parliament, organised by country. Translate the e-mail (if necessary), adapt it (if you want) and send it on!​

• Join the movement on social media! Use the hashtags #copyright4libraries and #fixcopyright!

• Encourage colleagues to do the same! It is vital that MEPs hear as many local voices as possible, underlining that libraries need the right copyright!

• Read more about IFLA's positions on the different elements of the copyright reform. See also a brief prepared by the Association of European Research Libraries (LIBER) on the need to ensure institutional and educational repositories are not treated in the same way as major internet platforms.

“You can get married in the theatre or celebrate your birthday in the café. Everything is possible in School 7,” declares Jacinta Krimp, director of the School 7 library in the Netherlands (KopGroep Libraries) winner of the 2018 IFLA/Systematic Public Library of the Year

An initial field of 35 libraries from 19 different countries across six continents was  whittled down to five nominees – and then to one winner who was announced at the 2018 IFLA WLIC in Kuala Lumpur last week. 'School 7'  located  in the city of Den Helder was a popular choice.

Other nominees were:

• Austin Central Library (USA)
• Villa-Lobos Park Library (Brazil)
• Deichman Biblio Toyen (Norway)
• Tampines Regional Library (Sinagpore)

The winner library was announced by Vice President Martin Brøchner-Mortensen of Systematic in front of a large audience..

The winner is selected by an international panel of experts consisting of representatives from the IFLA’s Public Libraries, Metropolitan Libraries and Buildings and Equipment Sections. For this year’s winner, it is particularly important that the library is accessible to all the different groups within the larger community.

The Public Library of the Year award is presented each year to a public library that is either newly built or set up in premises not previously used for library purposes. Applicants are assessed on six different criteria, including the extent to which the library considers new digital development, local culture and sustainability. In the case of School 7, it was the criterion of “interaction with surroundings and the local culture” that they considered particularly relevant when they applied to be considered for the prize.

“When we started School 7 we wanted to be able to serve as ‘the living room for the community’ – and we’ve already succeeded in that. People come to the library to read, to work, to attend a lecture or to take part in a workshop. Young people study in our library, and new Dutch citizens practice the language. Enthusiastic volunteers teach children programming, children are often read to aloud, and writers tell about their books. People drink coffee in our coffee corner (the Leescafé), read the paper and meet for a chat. All these facilities are now located under the same roof,” explains Jacinta Krimp.

At the 2018 World Library and Information Congress in Kuala Lumpur, SOCRS held an open program on scholarly communication. The program featured papers from across Asia and Africa.  The main takeaway was the steady march of Open Access (OA) within the world of scholarly communication.  It is vibrant and active in Nigeria. Institutional repositories have been crucial in expanding the reach of scholarly communication there.  The same importance of OA is clear in both Hong Kong and Thailand, though reflected in slightly different ways.  Yet, OA does not end completely the challenge of rights management, a subject raised by many the speakers.  In Thailand, they have found that OA also does not address the needs of digital preservation. In both Nigeria and Hong Kong, the issue of how to fund OA looms large.  But it was not only about challenges. Librarians from the National University of Singapore shared exciting new uses of bibliometrics. Colleagues in India informed us that the opportunities offered by the changing world of scholarly communication excite librarians there. The future of scholarly communication around the world is challenging, but also exciting. You can read more about it here.

As a long-standing advocate for Open Science, LIBER fully welcomes Plan S: an ambitious new initiative from national public research funders and the European Commission to make full and immediate Open Access to research publications a reality.  Under PlanS, all research which has been funded by a coalition of 11 national public research funders (cOAlition S)…

The post LIBER Supports New Plan to Make Open Access A Reality By 2020 appeared first on LIBER.

There is a vacancy at IFLA Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands for the position of:

• Membership Officer (deadline: 28 September 2018)

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

At IFLA Headquarters an international staff of over 20 people manages and develops programmes for members and the library and information sector worldwide. IFLA’s strategic priorities include access to information, digital content, cultural heritage, the contribution of libraries to national development, and professional practice.

IFLA Headquarters
4 September 2018

​

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Headquarters is looking for an experienced Membership Officer to join its dynamic team and global projects. Your responsibilities will include the administration of all membership matters and the provision of membership statistics and information to a range of staff and organizational units in support of IFLA’s activities.

The Membership Officer will work with the Member Services team to implement membership campaigns and improve the provision of material and benefits to members. The work is carried out under general direction and regularly requires extensive interpretation and exercise of independent judgement.

Location

IFLA Headquarters is located in The Hague (next to The Hague Central Station) in The Netherlands.

Key areas of Responsibility

• To maintain accurate and up-to-date membership details in IFLA’s membership management system
• To undertake administration of IFLA membership, including annual renewals, signing up new members and answering queries from members. Includes the raising of invoices and monitoring of payments
• To take an active role in membership recruitment and retention, including campaigns and enquiries about potential membership
• To assist in the development and implementation of member services and benefits
• To develop and maintain procedures and documentation relating to member services
• To support IFLA’s staff and activities with the provision of membership statistics and information as required
• To actively analyse IFLA’s membership statistics with a view to identifying gaps and new sources of members
• To provide training to other staff as required
• To maintain and update information about membership on the IFLA website
• To participate in maintenance and upgrades of the IFLA membership management system
• To undertake other membership-related tasks, as required by the Director, Member Services

Qualifications and Experience

• Good interpersonal skills and a team player
• Excellent written & verbal communications skills in English with experience of adapting your style and approach to the audience and message to be delivered
• Excellent administrative skills and attention to detail
• Experience with membership management systems or customer relationship management systems
• Understanding of the EU GDPR and implications for a membership organisation
• Ability to use relevant software packages, including advanced working knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Office
• Strong statistical skills
• Experience in working with people on an international level
• Proficiency in one of the other official languages of IFLA (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish)

Salary

The gross monthly salary offered will be EUR 3,605 per month in line with the Collective Agreement of Public Libraries in The Netherlands. You will also receive a holiday allowance (8% of your annual salary), an end of year bonus and enjoy 25 days of holidays per year. You will also participate in IFLA’s group pension scheme.

Closing date

The closing date is 28 September 2018. Due to the high volume of applications we are expecting to receive, interested candidates are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible.

How to apply

Please send your CV including a motivation letter addressing the responsibilities and skills required for the position in English to vacancies@ifla.org. Only candidates with valid documentation to work in The Netherlands will be considered.

The Satelllite Meeting Advocacy in Action! Success for library advocacy worldwide was organized by Management of Library Associations Section in the National Library of Malaysia 23rd August 2018. 

Participants and speakers  highlighted successes, challenges and outcomes, shared lessons and practices that could benefit any library association looking to strengthen its advocacy effectiveness.

The presentations are now available in the event page, please see here. 

IFLA 2018 Open Session of Asia and Oceania Section in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was held on 28 August 2018 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malawasysia. Room: Plenary Hall. The title is Libraries Transformed to Transform Their Communities. The attendees was around 300.

The first meeting of IFLA- Regional Standing Committee for Asia and Oceania (RSCAO) was held on August 25 at WLIC IFLA 2018, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.