The satellite conference will be held immediately prior to the World Library and Information Congress in Kpaipeda, Lithuania, 8-9 August, 2012

Conference Theme and Focus

Public Libraries have traditionally worked together to manage and share resources and information, and initiate cooperative projects. Developments in technology have allowed for even greater collaboration and the creation of new networks.

However the concept of a library is changing. If public libraries are to remain relevant to their ever more sophisticated users they have to constantly re-invent themselves; implementing new services, investigating collaborative arrangements and flexible staffing models.

In delivering quality services public libraries are active partners in networks at all levels, raising their profile with government and the community. Through these initiatives public libraries are positioning themselves as places where original ideas are born, hot discussions happen and like-minded persons meet each other.

Public libraries are places where users can creatively solve many problems; develop abilities and competencies; find ideas for their business; and support their interests, life-long learning and well-being. In summary they inspire, inform and entertain.

In today’s interconnected world no library operates in isolation. Through the growth of networks library users are at the centre of developing and sharing knowledge. Public Libraries can use this strength to advocate for their place as being necessary and irreplaceable.

General Themes

The conference organizers invite papers on the following issues:

1. Networked libraries – what do they look like?

• What qualities do libraries need to have if they want to be part of a network?
• What are the key elements of successful collaboration?

2. Looking ahead- new challenges and opportunities for networking
3. The Library as a ‘creative lab’ providing opportunities for users to discover, explore and connect
4. Collaboration and partnerships between public libraries and their communities

Participants will be invited to join in discussions, share best practice and network with colleagues attending this IFLA Satellite Meeting.

Target Audience

We welcome all librarians who are interested in the topic.

Proposals should include

• Title of the presentation
• Abstract of no more than 300 words
• Author(s) name, professional affiliation, postal address, e-mail address
• A brief biographical statement of no more than 50 words

Important Dates and Timelines

Your proposals should be sent no later than 15 March, 2012 to:

Dzeinara Kaunaite, e-mail: dzeinarak@gmail.com and to Rebekka Pilppula, e-mail: rebekka.pilppula@jns.fi.

The proposals will be evaluated and notification of acceptance will be sent by April 15, 2012.

The presenters will be expected to submit the final version of their paper (in Microsoft Word, no longer than 2000 words) by May 30, 2012.

 

On behalf of IFLA, the Public Libraries Section chair Suzanne Payette warmly congratulates Silvia Stasselova and colleagues from the Slovak Librarians Association for recently completing the Slovak translation of the revised IFLA Public Library Service Guidelines.

Suzanne advised this was a very challenging piece of work and it contributes significantly to a number of IFLA’s strategies. This initiative will promote readership and application of the Guidelines for Public Libraries and build the strategic capacity of IFLA and that of its members.

The translation will be highly valued not only to our colleagues in Slovenia but also by library staff in the Czeck Republic. This translation will enable senior library staff to increase awareness among their decision makers of the key role libraries play in advancing the information and knowledge society.

These Guidelines will also provide a benchmark for emerging library services in particular to frame the development of their services to their communities and are a helpful tool for planning, refreshing or updating library services.

We are very proud of this work and the contribution our colleagues have selflessly made to our profession.

I am very proud to comment this work to you.

The translation has been added at

http://www.ifla.org/en/publications/ifla-publications-series-147