The International Network of Library Innovators (INELI) India and South Asia has invited the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) to present a webinar featuring three winners of the EIFL Public Library Innovation Award. 

The webinar is titled ‘EIFL Public Library Innovation Award Winners: community driven library services from Croatia, Lithuania, and Moldova’, and the three libraries are:

The International Network of Library Innovators (INELI) India and South Asia has invited the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) to present a webinar featuring three winners of the EIFL Public Library Innovation Award. 

The webinar is titled ‘EIFL Public Library Innovation Award Winners: community driven library services from Croatia, Lithuania, and Moldova’, and the three libraries are:

“IFLA Green Library Award 2021”
 
Objectives of the IFLA Green Library Award

 

• To reward green library / green library projects that best communicate their commitment to environmental sustainability
• To create awareness of libraries’ social responsibility and leadership in environmental education
• To support the worldwide green library movement, concerned with

1. environmentally sustainable buildings
2. environmentally sustainable services, activities, programming, information resources, collections and projects
3. conservation of resources and energy

• To promote the development of green library initiatives locally, regionally and worldwide 
• To encourage all types of libraries to actively present their green activities to an international audience

Following the IFLA Key Initiative 4.1: Promoting libraries within the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development the award will help to advance the profession through illuminating the role of libraries and librarians in the advancement of sustainability standards and the promotion of specialized knowledge within professional practice.

Guidelines for submissions

Any type of green library or any outstanding green library project, initiative or idea may apply for the IFLA Green Library Award. Libraries with a small budget but a great impact are explicitly invited to participate in the competition!
The green library, project, initiative or idea may be presented in various ways (e.g. essay, video, poster, article, set of slides):

• Applications must be written in one of the seven IFLA languages.
• Applications in languages other than English must have an English abstract.
• Film and video materials in languages other than English must have English subtitles.
• Applications should be max. 10 MB in size, unless a video is also published on YouTube.

The presentation of the project, initiative or idea should be submitted to the international ENSULIB Award Reviewing Committee.
The quality and relevance of the project, initiative or idea will be evaluated by the ENSULIB Award Reviewing Committee in terms of:

• Applicability to the goals and the scope of ENSULIB
• Contribution of libraries to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Quality of the overall presentation, public visualization via website etc.
• Relevance to IFLA’s goals and values (Key Initiative 4.1)

Download the application form: [English – MS Word]

Submit applications before 28 February 2021 to:

Dr. Petra Hauke, ENSULIB Secretary, E-mail: petra.hauke@hu-berlin.de

Notification of the winners and runners-up will be sent in May 2021.
Finalists will be presented at the virtual 87th IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2021.

Closely aligned to the IFLA Key Initiative 3.3 “Empower the field at the national and regional levels” the IFLA Academic and Research Libraries Section (IFLA ARL Section) engages, encourages, inspires and connects a global community of library workers through their outreach and communication efforts.

The section makes a point of cooperating regularly with other IFLA sections and facilitating the involvement of library professionals from low and middle income countries in all their events, activities and programs.

This year, ARL faced the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and turned it into an opportunity to strengthen their technology-enabled work, reaching even more people across the globe, and expanding their knowledge through greater engagement with their audience.

Read more about IFLA ARL highlights here.

In 2018, the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) and the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), which manages a network of 62 public libraries staffed by 600 people, entered into a partnership to strengthen continuous professional development of public librarians in Kenya.

In 2018, the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) and the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), which manages a network of 62 public libraries staffed by 600 people, entered into a partnership to strengthen continuous professional development of public librarians in Kenya.

In 2018, the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) and the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), which manages a network of 62 public libraries staffed by 600 people, entered into a partnership to strengthen continuous professional development of public librarians in Kenya.

IFLA Professional Unit 2021 Action Plans have been developed and posted to Unit webpages.  The Units’ 2021 focus areas, planned outputs and timelines, aligned to the IFLA Strategy, have been compiled and distilled [xls], for ease of browsing. To get involved with the work of an IFLA Unit, or to find out more about their activities please contact the Unit Chair or Secretary directly. 

There are two vacancies at IFLA Headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands for the position of:

• Administrative Assistant – Data and Outreach [closing date: 15 January 2021]

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
18 December 2020

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Headquarters is looking for two Administrative Assistants (both full-time positions, 36 hr/week) to join a dynamic international team working with members and volunteers worldwide.

Location

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

Key areas of Responsibility

These positions are part of the Member Services Team. The Administrative Assistants (Data and Outreach) support the work of the team with an emphasis on data processing, analysis and outreach by responding to member and contributor queries. The work is done under direction but requires some interpretation and judgement.

Key tasks and areas of responsibility:

• Liaison, correspondence and engagement with IFLA members and data project contributors
• Support to the IFLA Library Map of the World (LMW) with data and stories
• Curation of LMW data submissions and uploading to the website
• Supporting all aspects of membership administration including applications, renewals, payments and banking
• Maintenance of information and data within IFLA databases, including membership and professional support
• Provision of member lists to professional units and publishing partners
• Webinar support
• Assisting in the implementation of new developments for the LMW
• Supporting other data projects as required
• Supporting new developments to enhance member services

Qualifications and Experience

• A-levels or equivalent / MBO (Dutch)
• Diploma in Business Administration/Secretarial studies or equivalent
• Min. 3 years related working experience in an international office or NGO
• Excellent administrative skills, attention to detail and works accurately
• Experience working with membership management and reporting systems or similar complex databases
• Strong analytical and numeracy skills
• Ability to use relevant software packages, including Microsoft Office and Advanced Excel skills
• Good planning and organizational skills
• Demonstrate the ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision while providing support where necessary in a team environment
• Excellent command of English
• Fluency in one or more other IFLA official languages (French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) – desirable

About IFLA

Over the next ten years, IFLA aims to transform the library field and itself through concerted and coordinated efforts at the global, regional, and national level. The ultimate benefit of this work will be seen at the local level through better library services helping more people gain literacy, improve their education, find employment, or improve their health. IFLA’s members and volunteers are part of this transformation and your contribution will support their involvement and activities.

Salary

The gross monthly salary offered will be EUR 2804 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 15 January 2021. Interested candidates are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible.

How to apply

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

EIFL has been engaged in copyright work in Belarus since 2006.

In cooperation with our partner, the Council of Belarusian Libraries on Information Cooperation (BelCoLib), EIFL has provided copyright training and supported the adoption of library and disability-friendly provisions in the copyright law.

Since 2016, we have focused on encouraging adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty for persons with print disabilities in Belarus to help fulfill the promise of the right to read for people who are visually impaired or are other print disabled.

EIFL has been engaged in copyright work in Belarus since 2006.

In cooperation with our partner, the Council of Belarusian Libraries on Information Cooperation (BelCoLib), EIFL has provided copyright training and supported the adoption of library and disability-friendly provisions in the copyright law.

Since 2016, we have focused on encouraging adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty for persons with print disabilities in Belarus to help fulfill the promise of the right to read for people who are visually impaired or are other print disabled.

EIFL has been engaged in copyright work in Belarus since 2006.

In cooperation with our partner, the Council of Belarusian Libraries on Information Cooperation (BelCoLib), EIFL has provided copyright training and supported the adoption of library and disability-friendly provisions in the copyright law.

Since 2016, we have focused on encouraging adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty for persons with print disabilities in Belarus to help fulfill the promise of the right to read for people who are visually impaired or are other print disabled.

The NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee, in partnership with UNESCO, is organising the International Conference of NGOs 2020, held virtually from 16-18 December on the theme, “Envisioning a better and sustainable future: a new paradigm for civil society”.

This conference brings over 100 NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO together with UNESCO officials and experts to review collective work over the past two years and consider the primary lines of cooperation for 2021-2022.

This year will be especially significant, as NGOs will have the opportunity to share feedback and suggestions on the preliminary proposals for the UNESCO draft Medium-Term Strategy for 2022-2029 and the Programme and Budget for 2022-2025.

IFLA has been in cooperation with UNESCO since 1947, and we remain committed to aligning our work with the strategic objectives and global priorities of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy. We look forward to exploring how we can help our members and volunteers engage with UNESCO through its many components, including with its field offices and Member States.

Leave No One Behind

If there is one overarching lesson to be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that societies around the world are grappling with both new and pre-existing inequalities.

During this conference, UNESCO has expressed their commitment to addressing both existing and new educational, scientific, cultural, social, and digital divides that COVID-19 has widened. They will work to “leave no one behind” - eradicating poverty, bridging divides, and reducing inequalities in their areas of competency.

We know that libraries leave no one behind. Library and information professionals can help address educational, scientific, cultural, social, and digital divides in our societies. IFLA is committed to aligning our work with UNESCO’s to help maximise our impact and bridge these divides.

You can learn more about the International Conference of NGOs and watch a live stream of proceedings on the official conference website.  

 

Win €3,000 towards purchasing new technology for your library organisation!

The IFLA Section on Management and Marketing is partnering with PressReader in collaboration with the IFLA PressReader International Library Marketing Award for 2021.

The IFLA PressReader International Marketing Award is given to the library which best implements creative, results-oriented marketing projects or campaigns. Three finalists are selected based on innovative contributions to marketing in the library field.

This year, the first, second, and third place winners will receive funds towards the purchase of new technology for their library-related activities. Traditionally, winners receive support to attend and present at WLIC, however this year the winners are invited to present on best practices in marketing at virtual WLIC 2021. The award also honours the top 10 submissions with certificates of recognition.

As the world’s largest digital newspaper and magazine platform, PressReader facilitates IFLA recognition and support of creative, inspired, results-oriented marketing campaigns with special commendation to teams in developing countries. Individuals who submit their application by the deadline will receive an exclusive one-month gifted access to PressReader and access to the full catalogue of global newspapers and magazines on the PressReader app.

Winners will be announced in April 2020 and officially awarded at the IFLA WLIC Awards Ceremony at virtual WLIC 2021. Applications will be accepted from 10 December 2020 through 5 March 2021 at https://iflapressreader2021.org/.

Objectives of the award

• Recognise the best library-related marketing projects from 2020
• Encourage marketing practices in the library community
• Provide opportunities for libraries to share marketing experience and expertise globally

Guidelines

• Any library or library organisation that markets libraries, library products or services is eligible to apply for the award
• Applications must be written in one of seven IFLA languages
• Applicants may also submit an English translation if they prefer
• Applications must be submitted with supporting materials by 5 March 2021 

Proposals must

• Present an original marketing strategy
• Answer each question on the application
• Explain the benefits of the strategy
• Provide a full description of the marketing strategy
• Utilise the marketing glossary definitions (https://www.ifla.org/node/8227)
• Summarise the strategy and its results

Library organisations are encouraged to describe the imaginative and inventive aspects of the projects.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be judged on:

• A strategic approach to marketing, indicated in the research and planning stages of a submitted project
• Creativity and innovation as demonstrated by the originality of solutions to the marketing challenges
• Potential for generating widespread public visibility and support for libraries regardless of the kind or amount of resources employed
• Effectiveness illustrated by measurable objectives and subsequent evaluation methods

Applicants are encouraged to include marketing using digital resources:

• Electronic journals, publisher databases, institutional repositories
• Web and digital libraries
• Information literacy
• New products and new services

Proposals are reviewed based on how well they meet the above criteria.
Other factors are:

• Clarity of planning and partnerships with external organisations
• Efficient allocation of resources (staff, materials, time)

Members of the Award Jury are drawn from the membership of the IFLA Standing Committee on Management and Marketing:

Antoine Torrens-Montebello (France) Chair, Cindy Hill (USA), Nie Hua (China), Bonnie Mager (New Zealand), Ruth Ornholt (Norway), and Leslie Weir (Canada).

Award applications will be accepted from 4 December 2020 through 5 March 2021

Contact: librarymarketingaward@gmail.com

About PressReader
PressReader is on a mission to improve the way people discover stories that matter to them.  With offices in Vancouver, Dublin, and Manila, the company provides the largest all-you-can-read platform of newspapers and magazines where people can discover relevant and trusted content from anywhere in the world — publications such as The Wall Street Journal, La Vanguardia, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Globe and Mail, The Guardian, Newsweek, Forbes, Le Figaro, and Vanity Fair, to name just a few. 

This is the third 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.

The Principal Investigator, David Wilcox, participated in a presentation for CNI that also included Robin Ruggaber from the University of Virginia pilot and Amy Blau from the Whitman College pilot. This was a great opportunity to communicate progress on the grant work so far to a broader audience. The recording is now available on Vimeo.

The Whitman College team has largely completed their metadata remediation and mapping work. This work is being documented in terms of process, resources, decisions made, and lessons learned, and will be shared with the community as part of the grant toolkit. Meanwhile, Born Digital has nearly completed work on the new Islandora 8 theme, and the grant team is just about ready to begin conducting test migrations with sample content.

The University of Virginia team conducted a detailed investigation of the errors that were encountered during migration testing. These errors were revealed to be linked to objects in the legacy Fedora 3 repository that were missing datastreams, which caused the migration utility to skip them. The team determined that these objects were related to content that had already been migrated to newer systems, so they could be safely left behind during the migration. However, had the objects still been relevant from a preservation perspective, the team was prepared to create a script to repair the objects by removing references to missing datastreams in order to migrate what remained.

December is a short month due to the upcoming holidays, but the Whitman team plans to complete their metadata work and review the results of initial test migrations, while the University of Virginia team plans to complete the migration of working content and index these resources into the new Fedora 6 installation.

Stay tuned for further updates next month!

The post Fedora Migration Paths and Tools Project Update: December 2020 appeared first on Duraspace.org.

​

Your ideas, thoughts and contributions are changing the way we work. What we’ve learnt is that you are open to innovation and new experiences with high expectations for IFLA’s events as a place to bring the library field together.

Earlier this year, IFLA made the decision to hold the World Library and Information Congress 2021 as a virtual conference. WLIC is unique as the most international library conference covering every aspect of the profession and offering outstanding opportunities for networking. Our aim is to engage, build upon and reframe WLIC and to invite you to an exciting digital environment.

IFLA is already actively participating in, and supporting, virtual events from webinars to the General Assembly, however WLIC 2021 is totally different in scale and nature. Seeking the input of the main stakeholders of our Congress - past attendees, volunteers in our professional units, and industry partners - was at the heart of our exploration phase and our approach to understanding wants and expectations.

Through the survey distributed in October, we gathered your input on critical questions such as timing, length of the conference, cost, and what you hope to gain from attending. You imagine WLIC 2021 to be different, creative and inclusive. You would like it to not duplicate the physical conference with sessions being interactive, shorter and varied. Although dates are not finalized yet, the preference was for the last two weeks of August.

The kernel of WLIC should remain the same: an opportunity for meaningful connections and to learn from this virtual experience to get a broader perspective. Networking, although mentioned as not easy as in a physical conference, has been described as an essential mechanism to focus on and a precious means to achieve those goals.

We learnt from your own experiences of best practices in virtual conferences. You shared so many fascinating ideas and comments and we thank you for taking the time to contribute.

The surveys have given us significant insights into designing a great experience for all our attendees. IFLA will now move to a development phase where we take your input and create a more concrete concept for WLIC 2021. There is much to coordinate as we develop together an exciting new conference model for IFLA’s first virtual congress.

Download the summary and key findings of the surveys.

Gerald Leitner
IFLA Secretary General

The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) is a unique text – bringing governments around the world (known as State Parties) together in mutual commitment to the protection of cultural property.

Together with the First and Second Protocols (1954 and 1999) which supplement the Convention, it codifies the protection of cultural property in international humanitarian law, making clear that it is illegal to target such property in conflict, and urging proactive efforts to prevent its destruction.

UNESCO is responsible for the monitoring of the 1954 Hague Convention, and does so through the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

The 15th Meeting of the Committee

On 10 and 11 December, the 1999 Second Protocol Committee met in an ordinary session to discuss plans for the coming year and the mobilisation of resources for the implementation of the Convention. IFLA observed this meeting to stay informed on the highest level of international cultural property protection and align our future work in this area with UNESCO’s priorities.

One notable outcome of this meeting was the committee’s declaration concerning the protection of cultural property in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This declaration calls for the prevention of further damage to cultural heritage, encourages measures be put in place to prevent looting, and expresses readiness to set up an independent technical mission.

This complements an earlier statement signed by IFLA appealing for the protection of cultural property in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Why does this matter to libraries?

As memory institutions, libraries are among the stakeholders protecting and providing access to cultural heritage in all its forms. From rare books and special collections to expressions of intangible cultural heritage, access to literature, the arts, and more – libraries are a key connector between communities and their right to participate in cultural life.

For this reason, libraries, and the collections they hold, are included in the 1954 Hague Convention provisions for the protection of cultural property.

Through our role as an NGO partner to UNESCO, and as a founding member of the Blue Shield, IFLA works to ensure that libraries are adequately included in efforts to implement the 1954 Convention.

IFLA and Cultural Heritage Protection

In 2021, IFLA looks forward to continuing to grow our involvement in the safeguarding cultural heritage – together with our members and with partners such as UNESCO and Blue Shield.

For an overview of our activities, visit our dedicated webpage: Safeguarding Cultural Heritage. 

What can you do?

Learn more about the 1954 Hague Convention here: Frequently asked questions on Armed Conflict and Heritage.

Is your country a State Party to the Hague Convention? If you find your country’s name on this list, then your government has made a commitment to the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict.

Learn more about the IFLA Risk Register and our other activities on cultural property protection.

Let us know can IFLA help you and your library get more involved with safeguarding cultural heritage. Email: claire.mcguire@ifla.org and share your thoughts – this can help inform our future work!

Libraries have traditionally seen themselves as places open to all members of the community, creating opportunities for everyone. However, being welcoming is as much a question of what you do proactively. We interviewed the Sub-Committee on Serving Refugees, Immigrants, and Displaced Persons of the ALA, to find out about their work.

1. What is the background of your committee within ALA?

In 2017, the American Library Association’s Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS) Advisory Committee launched the Serving Refugees, Immigrants, and Displaced Persons (SRIDP) sub-committee. The group consisted of members from ODLOS Advisory Committee, REFORMA: the National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, APALA (Asian Pacific American Library Association), IRRT (International Relations Roundtable), and other leaders in the field who were interested in developing services to immigrant and refugee communities. At the time, the purpose of the sub-committee was the following:

• Research, advocate and provide outreach to promote library services to refugees, displaced persons, and persons held in border detention facilities.
• Report to ALA membership and council, on a regular basis, progress in this area.
• Research, inventory, compile, and publish best practice toolkits and resources for providing library services to refugee populations across the country and around the world.
• Attempt to engage/contact/partner with outside organizations with similar goals
• Make special efforts to reach children and youth in these circumstances in order to offer comfort and education during these difficult times.
• Determine best practices for communicating across the association on these issues.

SRIDP’s first project was a partnership with Mortenson Center at the University of Illinois Library. Project Welcome aimed to learn about and articulate ways libraries can address the information needs of refugees and asylum seekers in order to support and empower them in their resettlement and integration process.

Since then, we have created nationwide efforts to promote immigrant social inclusion. For example, we designed a Welcoming Week Guide to support the movement created by the Welcoming America organization to bring together newcomers and long-standing community members in neighborhoods across the country. We are currently working on several projects to strengthen and provide tools and training for libraries in this critical area of immigrant rights. For example, we are updating ALA guidelines, providing webinars, influencing policy, and forging partnerships on a national level.

 

2. What do you hope to change by forming a group and working together?

The hope of the initial committee leaders was to establish the importance of serving immigrants and refugees in all kinds of libraries but especially public libraries.  U.S. libraries have a very long tradition of supporting access to information and education for all newcomers; however, in the past, these aspirations were mostly limited to assimilating new immigrants to the mainstream culture. Today, we recognize that the U.S. is not a monoethnic country with one cultural heritage, but it is built on the knowledge, experiences, and contributions of people from all over the world. Therefore, this diverse heritage should be ingrained in libraries’ collections and philosophy of service. Rather than focusing on assimilating immigrants to the status quo, our group hopes to promote cross-cultural or bilateral exchange.

 

3. How do you see the role of libraries in supporting refugees and immigrants?

Our priority is to strengthen LIS education or professional development so that library workers recognize and leverage immigrants’ information capacity and resilience. Immigrants are using information and digital tools in dynamic ways. First, we encourage U.S. library workers to recognize immigrants' information capacities and resilience. Secondly, we provide mechanisms for transitioning and building immigrants’ existing information skills to the U.S. context. Assistance includes resource borrowing privileges, access to the internet, language support, immigration services, and employment assistance. Overall, we emphasize the need to rethink library philosophies, spaces, collections, and programs in ways that create a sense of belonging for refugees and immigrants.

 

4. What barriers are there to greater service provision?

Like many other countries, the U.S. continues to be divided socially and politically. Misinformation, demagoguery, and anti-immigrant rhetoric influence many areas of U.S. society. Libraries are not removed from this bureaucracy. Some library workers find service to immigrants to be “too political.” Yet, libraries remain one of few institutions where public trust and credibility are still recognized.[1] Library workers are well-suited to enact positive change. In light of ongoing strife, our sub-committee tries to model the type of awareness, collaboration, and solutions-building that is missing throughout the U.S. as well as library practice.

 

5. What impact have the government’s policies so far had on immigration? How has this affected the ability of libraries to offer services targeted at immigrants and refugees?

The U.S. is seeing unprecedented hardline immigration policy. From proposed limitations on student visas, to the dismantling of the critical Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs, to family separation in immigration detention, plus record-breaking 10-year deportation highs and refugee acceptance lows, the U.S. continues in its trend of draconian immigration measures.[2] There has certainly been a chilling effect such that immigrant communities are less likely to engage with public service providers. For example, a tentative public charge ruling would deem immigrants who have received public support as ineligible for permanent residency. For some immigrants, the legitimacy of traditional public messengers (i.e., faith-based organizations, the media) is now feeble.[3]

Fortunately, many still view libraries as trustworthy. We must do what we can to maintain our integrity. Other issues pertain to budget constraints. Both policymakers and library administrators need to be aware that allocating funds towards programs serving refugees and immigrants is not a burden, but an investment in a sustainable future of the U.S. and world in general.

 

6. What about attitudes to immigration in U.S. society as a whole?

It is very difficult and dangerous to generalize. The U.S. is incredibly polarized; there are immigration supporters as well as opponents. Like other countries -- even nations that were historically perceived as tolerant and hospitable -- the U.S. is struggling with nativism and xenophobia. Through our work, the SRIDP sub-committee tries to dispel a prevalent lack of understanding.

For example, we emphasize that migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees are not a monolith, and a single narrative or template of immigrants does not exist. Library workers must be mindful of wider ethnic and linguistic variations among immigrants and also have the knowledge of immigration history, current policies and the world in general to challenge discourse portraying refugees and immigrants as threats to U.S. security and culture. We believe that a more informed U.S. society and library profession can help eradicate essentialism.

 

7. How have libraries reacted?

Our committee is part of ongoing, strategic efforts to foster social inclusion among immigrants and refugees. Libraries are key to ensuring that immigrants are included in the democratic process, especially in this incredibly complicated year; immigrant representation and inclusion were key areas of concern in the 2020 census, the presidential election, as well as COVID-19 relief efforts.

Library workers across the country have resisted marginalization by protecting and even strengthening service to immigrant communities. There have been incredible demonstrations of solidarity through cultural heritage programming, census 2020 outreach, and digital access and throughout this extraordinarily difficult period.

 

8. Where do you hope that library services to refugees and immigrants will be in ten years?

We hope that there will be greater pathways for immigrants to enter the library profession. Immigrants are not simply library constituents but potential colleagues. Especially for highly-skilled immigrants, the library profession presents a remarkable post-migration career opportunity. We also hope that there are effective solutions to the types of global challenges that prompt migration. For example, we need substantive, systematic answers to climate change and climate-induced migration. Furthermore, we hope for a better economic outlook and, with it, a firm financial commitment to supporting immigrant communities in libraries. Lastly and most important of all, we hope that there will be more proactive, forward-looking projects aimed at investing in immigrant communities.

 

Read more about plans for IFLA's own upcoming Guidelines on Library Services to Refugees, Immigrants, Migrants and Asylum Seekers.

 

[1] Geiger, A. (2017). Most Americans–especially Millennials–say libraries can help them find reliable, trustworthy information. Pew Research Center, August, 30.; Horrigan, J. (2020). Libraires, Trust, and Social Capital. Urban Libraries Council. https://www.urbanlibraries.org/files/ULC_White-Papers_LIBRARIES-TRUST-AND-SOCIAL-CAPITAL.pdf

[2] United States Department of Homeland Security. (2020) Immigration Data and Statistics. https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics

[3] Rainie, L., Keeter, S., & Perrin, A. (2019). Trust and distrust in America. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/07/22/trust-and-distrust-in-america/

EIFL has renewed its three-year agreement with Benetech, a technology company based in Silicon Valley, California, USA, for access to Bookshare, the world's largest accessible online library for people with print disabilities.

Bookshare is an online library for people who read differently because of disabilities that affect their use of traditional print - for example, blindness, visual impairment, learning disabilities, and physical disabilities, such as Parkinson’s disease and paralysis.