This EIFL webinar will cover subscription cancellations and alternative access options. Our guest speakers Colleen Campbell, Partner Development at OA2020, and Britt-Marie Wideberg, Coordinator of Bibsam, the Consortium of University and Research Libraries of Sweden, will discuss why the libraries and consortia decided to cancel some of their journal subscriptions, how they secured stakeholder buy-in for the cancellation, how they planned for it, and how they communicated it to users - and what alternative access options are available to their users.
 

EIFL will host the webinar, on behalf of the OpenAIRE Policy and Legal Task Force. It will cover the mapping exercise of a national Plan S compliant OA Policy in Ireland and also discuss new developments in Plan S, offering practical advice to national stakeholders in complying with Plan S provisions.
We invite research funders, national contact points for Plan S, vice-rectors, research administrators and managers, librarians and others who are interested in this topic.  

EIFL will host the webinar, on behalf of the OpenAIRE Policy and Legal Task Force. It will cover the mapping exercise of a national Plan S compliant OA Policy in Ireland and also discuss new developments in Plan S, offering practical advice to national stakeholders in complying with Plan S provisions.
We invite research funders, national contact points for Plan S, vice-rectors, research administrators and managers, librarians and others who are interested in this topic.  

EIFL will host the webinar, on behalf of the OpenAIRE Policy and Legal Task Force. It will cover the mapping exercise of a national Plan S compliant OA Policy in Ireland and also discuss new developments in Plan S, offering practical advice to national stakeholders in complying with Plan S provisions.
We invite research funders, national contact points for Plan S, vice-rectors, research administrators and managers, librarians and others who are interested in this topic.  

LIBER Quarterly is the peer reviewed, open access journal of LIBER, the Association of European Research Libraries.  The journal covers all aspects of modern research librarianship and scientific information delivery. It strives to link Library and Information Sciences (LIS) scholars and research-library practitioners by publishing both theoretical contributions and examples of good practices.  The role…

The post LIBER Quarterly: Could You Be Our Next Managing Editor? appeared first on LIBER.

LIBER’s Linked Open Data Working Group is writing a best-practice guide to library Linked Open Data (LOD) publication. As part of that work, we want to get in touch with people in libraries with experience in this field. Would you like to share your library’s LOD publishing success story? If so, please let us know!…

The post Library Linked Open Data: Share Your Experience appeared first on LIBER.

The SIG Library History was so looking forward to its session at the IFLA 2020 Dublin conference which as we all know was eventually cancelled. The SIG’s “Committee” continues to progress its thoughts on its series of projects on oral histories of the world's librarians, as well as watching the planning for WLIC 2021 in Rotterdam and the SIG’s potential session at it and we will keep you informed.

Dr Kerry Smith, FALIA, AM

Convenor IFLA Library History SIG

The SIG Library History was so looking forward to its session at the IFLA 2020 Dublin conference which as we all know was eventually cancelled. The SIG’s “Committee” continues to progress its thoughts on its series of projects on oral histories of the world's librarians, as well as watching the planning for WLIC 2021 in Rotterdam and the SIG’s potential session at it and we will keep you informed.

Dr Kerry Smith, FALIA, AM

Convenor IFLA Library History SIG

​​IFLA Journal is an international journal publishing peer reviewed articles on library and information services and the social, political and economic issues that impact access to information through libraries.

The Journal publishes research, case studies and essays that reflect the broad spectrum of the profession internationally.

Volume 46, No.1 (March 2020)

Special Issue: Knowledge Management and library innovation in a changing world

Guest Editors: Leda Bultrini and Wilda Newman

Knowledge management and library innovation in a changing world 3
Leda Bultrini and Wilda Newman

From information, to data, to knowledge – Digital Scholarship Centers: An emerging transdisciplinary digital knowledge and research methods integrator in academic and research libraries 5
Zheng (John) Wang and Xuemao Wang

Innovative application of knowledge management in organizational restructuring of academic libraries: A case study of Peking University Library 15
Long Xiao

Knowledge management in practice in academic libraries 25
Sandra Shropshire, Jenny Lynne Semenza and Regina Koury

Problems of knowledge management practices in libraries and information centres of Bangladesh 34
Md Nazmul Islam, Md Shariful Islam and Abdur Razzak

City library network knowledge management for social cohesion: The case of Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, Spain 52
Daniel García Jiménez and Lluis Soler Alsina

Determining the impact of knowledge sharing initiatives in international organizations: Case studies 64
Linda Stoddart

The Organizational Trap-Gap Framework: A conceptual view of library dysfunction 72
Spencer Acadia

Abstracts 88

IFLA Journal is an international journal publishing peer reviewed articles on library and information services and the social, political and economic issues that impact access to information through libraries. The Journal publishes research, case studies and essays that reflect the broad spectrum of the profession internationally. IFLA Journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

To submit an article please visit IFLA Journal on the SAGE platform.

• Editor: Steven W. Witt
• Frequency: Quarterly
• ISSN: 0340-0352
• eISSN: 1745-2651
• List of previous issues

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While the World Library and Information Congress will not be taking place this year, IFLA still plans to hold its General Assembly, in line with its statutes, later this year. In a message to IFLA Members, IFLA Secretary General Gerald Leitner set out next steps towards defining a date.

As you will know, WLIC 2020, due to be held in Dublin, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic which is affecting countries across the world.  As a consequence, this year’s General Assembly, which would normally have been held during WLIC, will need to be re-arranged.

In accordance with Motion 11.1, which was approved at the General Assembly held in Athens on Wednesday 28 August 2019, “In the case of an unavoidable delay the General Assembly may be convened at a later date, but no later than 30 November 2020”.

You will be aware that the current situation regarding COVID-19 is still very fluid. Travel restrictions and levels of risk to health vary from country to country, and change very frequently.  The Governing Board, who are responsible for setting the date of the General Assembly, are regularly monitoring the situation. 

Reflecting this, they will make a decision on the rescheduling of the General Assembly, and will share this with Members no later than the first half of July 2020.

As a consequence, the closing date for items to be submitted for inclusion in the agenda of the General Assembly – previously set for 11 May – will be extended.  The new closing date for these items will be announced at the same time as the date of the rescheduled General Assembly, giving a final opportunity to submit items

Shortly after the closing date for motions the formal Convening Notice for the General Assembly will be issued, giving three months’ notice of the meeting.  The notice will include the agenda alongside the rules and provisions on proxy voting for those unable to attend in person.

Gerald Leitner

IFLA Secretary General

While the World Library and Information Congress will not be taking place this year, IFLA still plans to hold its General Assembly, in line with its statutes, later this year. In a message to IFLA Members, IFLA Secretary General Gerald Leitner set out next steps towards defining a date.

As you will know, WLIC 2020, due to be held in Dublin, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic which is affecting countries across the world.  As a consequence, this year’s General Assembly, which would normally have been held during WLIC, will need to be re-arranged.

In accordance with Motion 11.1, which was approved at the General Assembly held in Athens on Wednesday 28 August 2019, “In the case of an unavoidable delay the General Assembly may be convened at a later date, but no later than 30 November 2020”.

You will be aware that the current situation regarding COVID-19 is still very fluid. Travel restrictions and levels of risk to health vary from country to country, and change very frequently.  The Governing Board, who are responsible for setting the date of the General Assembly, are regularly monitoring the situation. 

Reflecting this, they will make a decision on the rescheduling of the General Assembly, and will share this with Members no later than the first half of July 2020.

As a consequence, the closing date for items to be submitted for inclusion in the agenda of the General Assembly – previously set for 11 May – will be extended.  The new closing date for these items will be announced at the same time as the date of the rescheduled General Assembly, giving a final opportunity to submit items

Shortly after the closing date for motions the formal Convening Notice for the General Assembly will be issued, giving three months’ notice of the meeting.  The notice will include the agenda alongside the rules and provisions on proxy voting for those unable to attend in person.

Gerald Leitner

IFLA Secretary General

The COVID-19 Pandemic has seen so much energy and inventiveness from libraries as they work to continue to fulfil their missions. In line with our Strategy, IFLA in turn is working hard to support its members. With our new #IFLAFromHome series, will be sharing tools, ideas and resources so you can benefit from being part of a strong and united global library field.

With libraries around the world obliged to close their doors for the safety of both users and staff, the last weeks have seen a major shift towards providing services at distance.  Library and information workers have shown both resilience and creativity in finding ways to ensure that their communities can benefit from services at home.

From greater investment in electronic content to distributing computers and WiFi hotspots, and activities such as online storytimes and public debates, libraries have shown themselves more than ready to face and overcome challenges.

IFLA too has been affected by the pandemic, with the World Library and Information Congress – the most international event in the library calendar – not taking place for the first time in 74 years.

However, despite the disappointment of not being able to meet in person in August, the good news is that IFLA is open all-year-round, bringing benefits to our Members and the profession and providing opportunities for engagement.

Through the work of our Professional Units and Headquarters team, and guided by our Strategy, we are always working to provide opportunities to share, learn and develop, as well as to advocate for libraries at all levels. There are so many tools, ideas and resources that you can draw on, including from home.  

In order to highlight all of these possibilities, we are therefore launching #IFLAFromHome. Under this banner, we will share ideas and resources through social media and e-mail that help you to get involved in IFLA.

IFLA’s Secretary General Gerald Leitner, said: ‘IFLA is committed to inspiring, engaging, enabling and connecting the global library field, even in difficult times. With new and exciting initiatives on the way to deliver our Strategy, building on the wealth of materials IFLA has already produced, it’s easy to make the most of IFLA from home.’

Look out for tools and materials on how you can help implement the IFLA Strategy, ideas on how to get involved in the global field, memories of past Congresses, and tools and other reports that can help you in your work! Simply keep an eye on our social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), follow the hashtags #WeAreIFLA and #IFLAStrategy, or wait for update e-mails through our IFLA-L mailing list. 

In February 2020 five young public librarians from Africa travelled to Nashville in the USA to take part in an international learning, knowledge-sharing and networking experience organized by EIFL and partners. The five were participants in the EIFL Initiative for Young African Library Innovators (IYALI). After their journey, we asked them about the experience and how they might apply what they had learnt in their libraries back home.

In February 2020 five young public librarians from Africa travelled to Nashville in the USA to take part in an international learning, knowledge-sharing and networking experience organized by EIFL and partners. The five were participants in the EIFL Initiative for Young African Library Innovators (IYALI). After their journey, we asked them about the experience and how they might apply what they had learnt in their libraries back home.

In February 2020 five young public librarians from Africa travelled to Nashville in the USA to take part in an international learning, knowledge-sharing and networking experience organized by EIFL and partners. The five were participants in the EIFL Initiative for Young African Library Innovators (IYALI). After their journey, we asked them about the experience and how they might apply what they had learnt in their libraries back home.

In May 2020, member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) appointed Mr Daren Tang to WIPO’s top job in Geneva. As leader of WIPO, the global body that sets international law and policy on intellectual property issues, the new Director General takes charge of an organization whose direction on copyright determines how libraries do their work, especially in the digital environment.

In May 2020, member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) appointed Mr Daren Tang to WIPO’s top job in Geneva. As leader of WIPO, the global body that sets international law and policy on intellectual property issues, the new Director General takes charge of an organization whose direction on copyright determines how libraries do their work, especially in the digital environment.

In May 2020, member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) appointed Mr Daren Tang to WIPO’s top job in Geneva. As leader of WIPO, the global body that sets international law and policy on intellectual property issues, the new Director General takes charge of an organization whose direction on copyright determines how libraries do their work, especially in the digital environment.

We are pleased to announce our guide to resources for Global and Disaster Health is now available in Spanish, and we have a new guide on Multilanguage tools for evidence based practice. 

Our new guide on Multilanguage tools for evidence based practice contains a range of Multilanguage tools to support cross-working and overcome language barriers in global and disaster health.

This guide complements our Finding the Evidence for Global and Disaster Health guide now in English and Spanish.

Suggestions for additional resources are welcome, and will be considered for future updates. Please send these to E4GDHteam@gmail.com.

The long-standing mission of libraries to promote equitable access to information often leads them to get involved in digital inclusion efforts. We talked to Catharina Isberg, Library Director, and Eva Hveem, Librarian, Helsingborg City Libraries to find out about their experience of working with a European Union programme on the subject.

Helsingborg City Libraries is part of European Union programme, Urban Agenda Digital Transition. One of the results of this work is a published booklet on how to set up a digital competence centre. The two models on this are Helsingborg, Sweden and Sofia, Bulgaria.

We asked Catharina and Eva for more

1. How did you first get involved in this project?

The city of Helsingborg is developing and evolving with a growing population, new city districts and changed social structures. Work on smart cities, with a vision of being one of the most innovative cities in Europe and taking advantage of the possibilities of digitalisation are important parts of all of the work of the city.

The city library is working intensively, developing and changing its operations to continue to be in line with the ambitions of the city as well as to better serve today’s society and continue to be relevant in the future.

Helsingborg public library continuously strives to get more people digitally included by providing access to digital information and technology with the added service of supervision and training by the library staff if needed.

On an operational level, in 2015 the library implemented a new organisational structure including a specific department responsible for the digital inclusion.  On a strategic level, the library cooperates with other departments to increase the digital skills of citizens, reduce the digital divide and develop access to the digital arena. With regard to this ambition, a Digidel Center was opened at the Helsingborg City Library in February 2018 in collaboration with the city's digitalisation department.

As a spin off from this intensive work, the library was asked to get involved in the European Union project Urban Agenda Digital Transition. The library was one of three city departments involved in this work. This shows the impact of the long-term strategic work which had been carried out within the city, which had built greater awareness of the relevance of the library’s work.

2. The project works on the assumption that simply having access to the internet isn’t enough for people to benefit from it fully. Why is this?

There are four steps in including citizens digitally: motivation, access, skills and use, where motivation is the fundamental factor for digital participation.

It is clear that technical knowledge does not equal digital inclusion. There are so many different knowledge areas one has to master to benefit fully from digitalisation. Becoming digitally included is a multi-step, ongoing and lifelong process.

That´s why it is important to offer support for existing and new training as well as retraining programs for the citizens. A Digital Centre combined with training offers and tutorial guidance approach, can accomplish just that.

3. What was your experience as a library in helping users build skills and confidence previously?

Before we started the Digidel Centre project, the library participated in a service design project, “Customer journey mapping” where we interviewed our visitors in depth using our public technology and came up with a number of important insights, e.g. “Those who come to us have nowhere else to go”. We found, in particular, that once at the library, users often need to do private, sensitive tasks on our computers.

As the authorities become even more digital and shut down physical offices, the number of cases / problems we help with has increased and widened in recent years. We get a wide variety of questions and issues every day.

4. How did participating in the project – in particular alongside Sofia, Bulgaria – change your views?

Helsingborg City Library joined the partnership in the spring of 2018.

Working alongside colleges from other countries with a similar agenda has been educational and has heightened the awareness of the problems we face.

Primarily, the huge need for digital inclusion and the lack of basic digital skills overall in the EU were highlighted. Over 43% of the population in the EU aged 16-74 are digitally excluded or does not have enough or the right digital knowledge to take up the jobs that exist today.

This means that almost half of the European population is missing out on learning opportunities brought about by the digital transformation. 

Whilst working on the partnership and setting up and running our pilots we were able to do a lot of knowledge sharing leading up to the final result. It really was a team effort.

5. How do you hope the model and toolbox could help others? 

The idea with the model is that it should be as general as possible so that everyone can take it and change it based on the needs and conditions of their country, region or city. There are already a lot of good projects and initiatives around Europe and the world, but most of them are aimed at a specific target group.

Our aim was to make our model as general as possible to avoid unnecessary limitations. The model is applicable to various conditions and should be seen as one starting point and reference to start up a Digital Centre.

6. What options are there, in particular, for libraries with fewer available resources?

They can always start up small and build over time. It is important to build a sustainable operation that will last. A good idea is to involve the whole community and municipality, to collaborate with others since digital inclusion is the entire municipality's responsibility and not that of the libraries.  It is also important to offer the services to all citizens in the municipality and not only specific target groups.

7. In what way do activities such as this project fit in with the IFLA Strategy?

As we see it the work is in line with all four Strategic Directions of the IFLA Strategy:

1. Strengthen the Global Voice of Libraries

2. Inspire and Enhance Professional Practice

3. Connect and Empower the Field

4. Optimise our Organisation

All four areas are constantly in our mind when developing our business. Our focus is of course on the benefits to the citizens of Helsingborg, but we constantly exchange ideas with other libraries to learn together and to continue to stay relevant.

In particular, Key Initiative 2.3 “Develop standards, guidelines, and other materials that foster best professional practice” is being realised by this project.

By meeting demands in a number of different projects and ways, we continue to develop our work to ensure a good library service for both today's and tomorrow's residents.

Catharina Isberg, Library Director, Helsingborg City Libraries

Catharina Isberg is the Library Director of Helsingborg City Libraries since 2013. Catharina is actively working on developing the library services to best meet the need of the community on both local, regional, national and international level. Since 2011 Catharina is active in IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations) and is from 2019 Division Chair and an IFLA Governing Board member.

Eva Hveem, Librarian, Helsingborg City Libraries

Eva Hveem is a librarian with a large focus on digital inclusion and digital skills, she sees VR, AR and 3D as a part of the library’s mission within education. She is also active on the regional, national and European arena within different projects. Eva Hveem is an active member of the Urban Agenda for the EU Digital Transition Partnership, responsible for implementing Action 2.