EIFL releases a report, ‘Landscape of no-fee open access publishing in Africa’, that provides an overview of open access (OA) journals in Africa that do not charge fees for either authors or readers (often referred to as Diamond OA journals). 

The EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) has completed a series of‘ ‘Small Bites’ training videos for public librarians and public library trainers on the topic of public library performance and outcome evaluation.  

The EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) has completed a series of‘ ‘Small Bites’ training videos for public librarians and public library trainers on the topic of public library performance and outcome evaluation.  

The EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP) has completed a series of‘ ‘Small Bites’ training videos for public librarians and public library trainers on the topic of public library performance and outcome evaluation.  

Teresa Hackett, EIFL Copyright and Libraries Programme Manager, will moderate a session at the event, ‘Why Europe needs a Digital Knowledge Act’, that will bring together EU policymakers, academics and civil society to discuss legislative measures needed to enable knowledge institutions, such as libraries, fulfill their public mission in the digital age.

Teresa Hackett, EIFL Copyright and Libraries Programme Manager, will moderate a session at the event, ‘Why Europe needs a Digital Knowledge Act’, that will bring together EU policymakers, academics and civil society to discuss legislative measures needed to enable knowledge institutions, such as libraries, fulfill their public mission in the digital age.

Teresa Hackett, EIFL Copyright and Libraries Programme Manager, will moderate a session at the event, ‘Why Europe needs a Digital Knowledge Act’, that will bring together EU policymakers, academics and civil society to discuss legislative measures needed to enable knowledge institutions, such as libraries, fulfill their public mission in the digital age.

How do you envision a project and design library buildings and facilities that will not be delivered for several years? The past 18 months has shone a new light on the need for resilient and responsive buildings. What library services and programmes will be provided in the future? How are innovative approaches to the delivery of library services imagined, implemented and accommodated in new facilities? What are the facilities that will fit future services not yet in existence? What are the challenges and debates within the design team and stakeholders as the planning and preparation are undertaken? What works best and what processes should be used? What differences, if any, are there in building a new facility or re-using and adapting an old site? On October 5th join Traci Lesneski, Philip Kent and thought leaders from Australia, Canada and The Netherlands to consider these important issues.

Register today!

The following statement was issued by Secretary General Gerald Leitner, on behalf of IFLA on 25 August 2021.

IFLA has followed closely recent legislative developments in Hungary, and in particular the provisions passed in June which prohibit the portrayal of homosexuality or gender reassignment in children’s books.

As has been noted by commentators, the breadth of the law creates the possibility that libraries, in providing access to books for young users, are covered by these provisions. As such, this raises significant questions about the ability and responsibility of libraries to fulfil their mission to provide access to information for all.

IFLA stands by its Statement on Intellectual Freedom (1999), which underlines that library collections shall reflect the plurality and diversity of society, and that selection and availability of materials should be governed by professional considerations and not by political, moral and religious views. 

In parallel, IFLA also underlines the message of the IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto (1994), which stresses the need to provide information to all, reflecting their needs, and evolutions in society. It also emphasises that ‘collections and services should not be subject to any form of ideological, political or religious censorship, nor commercial pressures’.

The IFLA-UNESCO School Library Manifesto underlines these same points, in connection with the development of children.

In the light of this, IFLA stresses that libraries should not face rules that prevent or hinder them from giving access to works which reflect the experience of any part of the communities they serve – including LGBTQ+ users and their families – or pressure to do so. This includes measures that make it harder for readers – in particular young readers – to find works, or the use of marks or other signs that stigmatise their use of such works.

Such steps limit the ability of library and information professionals to make their own judgements, based on professionalism and an understanding of the needs of users, in order to support the development of all members of their communities.

In parallel, IFLA also voices its support for publishers, authors and booksellers who have fallen foul of these new provisions, and calls for an end to similar restrictions elsewhere.

Gerald Leitner
​IFLA Secretary General 25 August 2021

Download the statement from our publications page.

Dear Friends,    

We are pleased to share with you the August 2021 issue of the IFLA Asia & Oceania Regional Newsletter.  

On behalf of my team, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to all our article contributors and supporters.  

Click on the PDF below to access the amazing articles we have curated for you this time!  

Happy reading and stay safe!  

Best regards,

Ms Lin Li SOH

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

For the next edition of the international Library Publishing Directory, please go to https://librarypublishing.org/lpdq-2022/ before 13 September 2021.  Your contribution will be accessible through the global library publishing map found at https://lib-pub.org/

The economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sharp decrease in jobs worldwide – Sri Lanka is no exception.

A Collaborative Effort

In mid-2020, the National Library of Sri Lanka (NLSL) formed a partnership with Commonwealth of Learning (COL) - Coursera Workforce Recovery Initiative with the aim of helping job-seekers in Sri Lanka to upskill and reskill to enter the job market as well as reinforce job-related skills to regain employment. COL-Coursera Workforce Recovery Initiative offered learners unlimited and free access to 5,000 courses designed to skill and reskill them. In June 2020, the NLSL implemented the programme under the topical theme ‘Skills Online Sri Lanka – Employed for the Unemployed’.

The Skills Online Sri Lanka (SOSL) also collaborated jointly with diverse local organizations such as Vocational Training Institute, public libraries, private training centers, educational institutions and employers. The purpose is to bridge the skill gaps for in-demand jobs responding to employer and industry needs through directly supporting youths and adults to participate and complete skill and professional development courses offered free by the COL-Coursera learning platform.

NLSL with its partners extensively promoted the initiative and attracted unemployed people, especially youths, women and the differently abled people across the country.

Free scholarships produced 4,300 learners, earned 21,343 certificates

NLSL successfully completed the programme in March 2021, producing more than 4,300 learners who earned 21,343 certificates from world renowned universities and institutes. Remarkably, the adoption rate of the programme has been as high as 89.8% and is therefore successful. This was made possible as a result of awareness sessions conducted at various locations across the country along with virtual sessions and helpdesk activities including close coaching and mentorship. NLSL and the Colombo Public Library provided their ICT facilities including Wi-Fi to the needy learners to access learning platform and complete the courses.

Overall, it has uplifted lives and livelihoods

The SOSLP initiative resulted in positive outcomes. It has helped unemployed to find jobs, secure jobs and improve livelihood. A wide range of courses that can tap requirements as well as the potential of learners have enabled the employed people to hone their skills – for career advancement through promotions. Some of the skilled learners have set up small business, created avenues for self-employment to sustain their livelihood. Some have even become entrepreneurs.

Nearly half of the learners enrolled into the programme were females!

This means the programme has also immensely contributed towards gender equality, thereby strengthening the female participation in the workforce.

Most importantly, with this wholehearted initiative, communities have already started noticing the value of national and public libraries as skill development centers.

As a result, COL extended its support to NLSL for another 3 years from April 2021 to March 2024 through its ‘Skills for Work’ initiative.

Contributes to SDGs

This initiative supports enhancement of Education and Training, Skills Development, Digital Literacy, Life-long Learning and contributes to several SDGs especially 4, 5, 8, 10, and 1, 3.

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face this century.

As stewards of knowledge, libraries play a part in educating and demonstrating the importance of environmental sustainability. According to the American Library Association, “Libraries by their very nature are ‘green’ in that their resources are shared by the larger community.” Yet, there’s still a lot more we can do.

NUS’ largest and flagship library, the Central Library, achieved the Green Mark Platinum certification by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) on March 2020.

The Green Mark certification scheme was launched in January 2005 to promote sustainable design and best practices in construction and operations in buildings. In 2018, BCA launched the Super Low Energy (SLE) Programme to push the envelope of environmental sustainability in Singapore.

SLE buildings feature best-in-class energy efficiency, the use of onsite and offsite renewable energy and other intelligent energy management strategies.

The Central Library’s green features include:

• Energy efficient chilled water plant (operating efficiency - 0.58 kW/RT)
• Energy efficient lighting system (>60% savings over baseline)
• Use of motion sensors for toilets and staircases
• Extensive greenery around main entrance foyer
• Extensive use of sustainable products
• Naturally ventilated circulation space to adjacent buildings
• Provision of 460 kWp photovoltaic system
• 48% energy savings vs NRB 2015 reference

Besides reducing energy consumption, the Central Library BookBridge is a first-of-its-kind bookshelf made from tropical Mass Engineered Timber (MET), a renewable, sustainable building material for architecture. The 31-metre BookBridge was launched in March 2021 and houses the library’s rare book collection that needs to be stored in a controlled environment.

The Central Library BookBridge at Level 2

“We have a big part to play in sustainability. Energy efficiency is part of greening the environment and more importantly translates to cost savings,” said Mrs Lee Cheng Ean, University Librarian of NUS Libraries.

The Central Library’s efforts in greening the environment is part of its space revitalisation project which kicked off in 2018. Since then, it has come a long way. Phase 3 (of 4) of its transformation was completed in early 2021. Watch this video to see the latest renovated floors. The project is currently on its last mile towards final completion. Do keep a lookout for more updates of the fully renovated Central Library.

In 2019, the Central Library also won a BCI Interior Design Award 2019 in the Learning Category

The Maldives is a small island developing state in the Indian Ocean that has a strong Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure comparative to many other countries in the South East Asia region. Being a popular tourist destination, and irrespective of the lack of natural resources other than white sandy beaches and ample fishing, the economy of the country is on a strong footing. At the same time, it is vulnerable to external shocks that disrupts the world economy or tourism sector inclusive of negative climate impact.

The populace enjoys a high universal literacy rate which places the Maldivian society at an advantage to reap the benefits of the information provisions made possible through ICTs. However, the library and information science (LIS) sector in the country has much more to do to keep pace with other in-country developments such as universal access to education including free access to higher education up to undergraduate degree, and also the universal access to the internet and smartphones leading to a technology savvy society.

In this backdrop, a project was commenced in 2019 exploring one central aspect that has ramifications on the development of the library sector. Qualified professionals are the engine who propel any profession forward. While the first library in the Maldives is known to have been established in 1945, to date, there are literally only a handful of qualified LIS professionals in the country. Agreeably, having a base qualification to begin with, and then continuous development of skills and knowledge is essential for librarians as well as libraries to remain relevant in a quickly evolving information landscape.

The Maldives National University (MNU) initiated the first in-country long-term library education program in 2010. This program commenced as a one-year certificate course, which was extended in 2012 to a Diploma. To overcome the shortage of local experts to teach these programs, the first two years of the program was taught by expatriate LIS professionals from Sri Lanka (Jayathunga Amaraweera, Deepali Talagala), Bangladesh (Dilara Begum), and Canada (Amman Adam).

In 2018, with the employment of a fulltime LIS professional, the MNU initiated curriculum development for a Bachelor Degree in LIS to cater to the cohort of students who have completed these earlier programs as well as to attract fresh school leavers to join the sector. The course curriculum has been finalised and the first batch will commence their studies within the next few months. The curriculum development for this program proceeded through stakeholder collaboration at various stages.

One such activity was the ‘Workshop on Library Development for Librarians and Library Managers’ held in April 2019 led by MNU and co-hosted by the National Library and the Maldives Library Association. One main purpose of this workshop was dialogue between library managers and librarians in various job ranks to ensure the proposed curriculum framework resonates with the sector.

Figure 1. (On the left) Resource persons and some of the participants from the Workshop on Library Development.
(On the right) Gina presenting at the workshop.

Figure 2. Participants of the Workshop on Library Development for Librarians and Library Managers, outside the National Library of Maldives

The workshop was a collaboration between both authors of this article. Gina was pursuing a regional research project on continuing professional development (CPD) of the LIS sector across different countries and Aminath as the lead curriculum developer for the in-country LIS degree program. A project that explores CPD was seen to be a welcome enhancement to the MNU in their efforts to educate information professionals. Accordingly, the Maldives LIS sector was taken as a pilot study for the CPD project. Through this collaboration, both the authors of this article along with Aminath Shiuna and Mahasin Ahmed Didi from the National Library contributed to the workshop as resource persons.

This collaborative work has continued over the last two years and has been beneficial for both parties. The findings of the CPD pilot study highlighted the need to strengthen collaboration between the LIS stakeholders in the country and provides basic data to develop a CPD plan and strategies for the Maldives LIS sector. In the face of the ongoing pandemic situation as well as the identified desire by LIS professionals in the CPD study to have access to online CPD learning opportunities, the National Library has introduced a webinar series for librarians, a few of these sessions supported by Gina.

Figure 3. Poster presented at ALA 2021 annual conference (reproduced with permission)

Further findings from the CPD pilot study can be accessed from:

● Journal of Education for Library and Information Science (Paper titled: Library employees’ perspective of capacity building through continuing professional development (CPD) in the Republic of Maldives),

● IFLA Journal (Paper titled: A review of LIS profession in the Republic of Maldives: development, challenges, and opportunities)

● International Knowledge Conference 2021 (Paper titled Library’s role in supporting SDGs in a SMART World: the reality in the Republic of Maldives).

The National Library of Australia’s digitisation programme has been running for more than 20 years,  with more than 41 million pages now digitised and available online via Trove [LINK: https://trove.nla.gov.au/]. The Library is now accelerating these efforts, recognising how dispersed the Australian population is and the impact of the Covid epidemic on travel and access.

Launched in 2019, the National Library of Australia’s Treasured Voices Digitisation Programme aims to ensure a truly national library, removing geographical, economic and other barriers to connect all Australians with their stories. The Australian Government is supporting this ambition by providing $10 million over four years, to digitise the collection and inspire further philanthropic contributions.

A portrait of Dame Nellie Melba receiving treatment in the NLA Preservation lab.

The programme is transforming public access to Australian history and culture by making the most important and impactful parts of our unique national collection accessible to everyone online. Digitised items are freely available online through the digital platform Trove which attracts some 33 million visitors annually, from all over Australia and the world.

The extensive personal papers of General Sir John Monash—equating to nearly 300 boxes of archival material have already been digitised through the Programme, and are available to view online now via Trove [LINK: https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-229738465/findingaid]. One of Australia’s most renowned military leaders, Monash was highly regarded for his role as a military commander in the First World War and his work as a civil engineer.

Director-General of the National Library of Australia Dr Marie-Louise Ayres FAHA explains that "Sir John Monash was a meticulous record keeper, and his papers reveal the lives of his contemporaries, as well as the era, through eye-witness accounts of significant events as they unfolded. This collection also provides context around Monash's many professional successes, while still offering an insight into lesser-known aspects of his personal life."

Currently being digitised for the Treasured Voices Programme are the papers of another significant Australian leader, Sir Robert Menzies. Prime Minster of Australia for an unmatched total of 18 years, Menzies’ papers cover not only his professional political career but also his personal interests, family photographs and a number of publication drafts.

Sir Robert Menzies’ commission as Prime minister of Australia, 1939.

Covering a period of over 70 years, the more than 600 boxes of material uniquely capture a tumultuous period in the history of Australia, as it continued to define itself as a country and as a people throughout the twentieth century, including during the Second World War. The digitisation of this collection offers a glimpse of the communications between the Allied world leaders including Churchill, but also of what drove and inspired one of our most enduring and revered Prime Ministers on a personal and private level.

Philanthropic funding has also allowed the Library to begin digitising some of its fantastic performing arts collections, including those relating to soprano Dame Nellie Melba, one of Australia’s most famous performers. The Library has material relating to Melba in several collections including Monash’s. Two deposits that include letters written by Melba and autographed photographs are now online; MS 9331 [LINK: https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-234844371/findingaid] and MS 9561 [LINK: https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2943255338/findingaid], with more performing arts material to be added to Trove later this year and in the future.

The digitisation of these collections are the first milestones in this very important Programme that promises to bring Australian’s cultural history to them, everywhere, for all time.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR CULTURAL INCLUSIVENESS; GOING BEYOND THE PHYSICAL WALLS OF ABDUL HAMEED SHOMAN FOUNDATION’S PUBLIC LIBRARY

Emanating from the belief that culture is a necessity rather than a luxury, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation was established by Arab Bank in 1978 as a pioneering non-profit initiative to support cultural and social responsibility initiatives in the Arab World. The Foundation aims to serve as a beacon of light in Jordan and the Arab World by laying the groundwork for a society that nurtures reading, caters to scientific research and innovation, and promotes cultural enlightenment. 

Founded in 1986 as the first computerised and fully equipped public library in Jordan, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library contributes significantly to the achievement of the Foundation’s goals. For the past 35 years, AHSF has been continuously working on developing an operating model for public libraries to serve as active learning centers that offer accessible and diverse resources, as well as services and opportunities for self-development for all. In 2013, the Foundation relaunched the Knowledge Path Children’s Library (KP) to cater for Children and Youth. The Knowledge Path Library provides a free and lively space for children of all ages and backgrounds to meet, connect, and learn through interactive reading and inspiring activities that promote creative thinking.

To further optimize the model, the public library and KP were incorporated into a 360° scheme of AHSF programs to ensure the achievement of AHSF’s desired impact on its beneficiaries. However, social and economic inequalities remain among Jordan’s biggest challenges to date. Thus, the need for AHSF to leverage its homegrown model by taking it to scale and replicating it elsewhere across the Kingdom, despite the limitations imposed by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, has never been more pressing.

Subsequently, the community outreach strategy of AHSF’s library became increasingly vital. As a first step towards meeting community needs, AHSF undertook two initiatives to attain a better understanding of community needs and dynamics. Firstly, an intense community participation training was conducted for all employees to involve relevant stakeholders in the design and implementation of the Foundation’s community-based programs and initiatives. Secondly, experts in human sciences will be solicited through AHSF’s scientific research fund to help identify community needs and potential opportunities.

Three main pillars evolved from the AHSF library outreach strategy as follows:

1. Geographical Expansion and Presence:

Besides the main library headquarters, another AHSF library branch was established and activated in East of Amman, and 2 new additional AHSF library branches are currently underway in densely populated areas that have limited access to cultural resources and services, one of which is in another governorate. Partnerships with community centers are also key in maximising our reach and ensuring the extension of AHSF library programs and services. Additionally, AHSF offers funding and capacity building opportunities to existing libraries and projects that unleash creativity from local communities.

1. Ease of Access to Services, Resources, and Information:

AHSF library embarked on a path of digital transformation in 2020, taking all its programmes and services online to achieve its outreach goals. The library activated its electronic management system to include electronic indexing for children and adults, an online search for library resources, and self-services for reserving, borrowing, and renewing a book subscription. AHSF’s e-library services were also made accessible through mobile phones. Moreover, the library regularly conducted different online activities and events during the COVID-19 pandemic. These included musical evenings, book launches, lectures, training sessions, and book reviews. The AHSF library also launched its podcast program and conducted an online specialized two-day seminar addressing the role of libraries in adapting to the new norm.  

Similarly, the Knowledge Path library offered its activities online, delivering them via the Foundation’s social media platforms to enhance their reach. A total of 693 interactive questions, books of the day, interactive activities, and story readings were conducted online to promote and encourage reading. As a result, KP’s presence on Facebook, reached about 738,000 people, with more than a 60% increase in the number of subscribers on the ‘’Friends of the Knowledge Path’’ Facebook group.

Spreading awareness about the library’s programs and services through a variety of online platforms helped foster its outreach capabilities. The Foundation strengthened its presence on social media channels, by holding 123 live broadcasts of its cultural activities. Most significantly, the electronic content offered by the Foundation enables readers and patrons to access information resources easily.

1. Outreach visits:

This approach continues to be a crucial modus operandi for reaching out to distant communities and beneficiary groups. Capacity building programs are implemented all over the Kingdom for university students and professionals. Regular visits are made to schools in different governorates to implement interactive activities for children and activate school libraries. The Young Innovators Lab (YIL), which works on developing the critical thinking skills of children aged 10-13 years who are passionate about science and innovation, is implemented every year in a different city.

The AHSF library continues to pursue its mission to deliver diverse and integrated programs and activities that are inclusive, sustainable, and easily accessible in Jordan and the region.

We are delighted to announce that the IFLA Academic and Research Libraries Section has won the IFLA Dynamic Unit and Impact Award for 2021. The Dynamic and Impact Award is awarded to the IFLA unit which has "the greatest impact on IFLA’s global work – engaging members, developing strong leadership and identity, delivering high-quality services with a measurable impact, and communicating activities within IFLA and beyond".  You can discover more about the ARL section and its activities here.

In 2020, IFLA ARL received a Special Mention for its outreach and advocacy in the 2020 Dynamic Unit and Impact Award,

Read the announcements for the IFLA Professional Unit Awards for 2020-2021 here.