Tag Archives: collaboration

The 10-Minute International Librarian #22: Find out about priorities for libraries in another country

We have so much to learn from each other!

Wherever libraries exist, there are people reflecting on how best to offer services that meet the needs of users.

Everyone has lessons to give and to take.

Indeed, one of the key goals of the IFLA Strategy is to enable discussion and exchange between libraries in different countries.

A key starting point for any exchange is to identify issues of shared interest – concrete topics on which you can organise discussions or ask questions.

So for our 22nd 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, find out about priorities for libraries in another country.

Thanks to the internet, this can be easy. A first place to look is IFLA’s Library Map of the World, where our country pages include an overview of key issues for the library field in each country.

You can also simply choose a country in which you’re interested, and look for their website or social media pages online.

If they have a published strategy, what are the subjects that matter most? If not, which topics get the most attention?

If some are the same as the issues you are facing, why not get in contact to find out more?

You can use the comments box below to share the most interesting library association websites or social media pages from other countries that you have visited.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 3.2 Support virtual networking and connections.

You can view all of our ideas using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #20: Recruit a Friend

The strength of the library field – locally, nationally and globally – is directly connected to the engagement of the people making it up.

The more library and information professionals there are sharing their ideas and experience, the better we can innovate and spread new practices.

The more professionals there are who are ready to speak up and engage in advocacy, the louder our voice is.

Library associations and other groupings are a great means of doing this at every level, providing a space for cooperation, coordination and joint action.

New members do not just gain themselves from involvement, but also bring benefits to the group as a whole.

So for our 20th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, recruit a friend!

Explain what you gain from working with other members of the profession, at the local, national and international levels.

Explain also why it is so important to work together to ensure that the library field continues to be able to fulfil its missions.

In doing so, you help strengthen our field!

Let us know in the comments below which arguments have worked best for you in convincing others to get involved with the national or global library field.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 3.3 Empower the field at the national and regional levels

As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.

The 10-Minute International Librarian #7: Identify a challenge you have in common with another library

Running or working in a successful library can involve overcoming many different types of challenge.

Resources – time, money, expertise – are always limited, and the demands libraries can face are not only high, but also change over time.

As underlined in previous posts, it can be difficult to find the time to stop, think, identify problems, and find solutions.

Fortunately, engaging in the wider library field – nationally through your association, or globally through IFLA, provides a way of doing this.

In each of our Sections and other committees, there are groups of people committed to exploring the issues libraries must deal with, and finding solutions.

So for our 7th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, identify a challenge you have in common with another library.

Try not to pick a library that is similar to your own, but rather one in another country, or another library type.

This may be a little more difficult, but will help you find themes where working together could help provide answers!

It can also help you work out in which part of IFLA you want to engage first!

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Strategic Direction 3, Key Initiative 2: Support Virtual Networking and Collections.

As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store (especially Opportunity 7)! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.