Monthly Archives: January 2014

Public Libraries Satellite – Call for Proposals

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The IFLA Public Libraries Section is now calling for proposals for its 2014 Satellite Meeting in Birmingham, UK 12-13 August.

The Conference theme Public Library Futures in a global digital world? provides great scope for presentations the on the  themes of the public library as a physical and a virtual space in the digital age and the public library as an economic driver that helps to regenerate and build communities.

Submissions will be accepted until 17 February 2014 … so get started!

Corinne Hill – Librarian of the Year

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Congratulations to Corinne Hill who has been named Library Journal’s 2014 Librarian of the Year. Corinne is Executive Director at the Chattanooga  Public Library in the US state of Tennessee and is also a member of the IFLA Public Libraries Standing Committee.

A former LJ ‘Mover and Shaker’ Corinne has been recognised for transforming the libraries of Hamilton County into the new Tennessee into the new and vibrant Chattanooga Public Library and for fostering a culture of change and innovation.

Corinne’s PLS colleagues are delighted for her and look forward to toasting to her success .

All roads lead to Malmo

Our host in Malmo Anette Mjöberg

Our host in Malmo Anette Mjöberg

The average February temperature in Malmo, Sweden may be be a cool 7 degrees  but we know that those visiting the Public Libraries Section Mid-Term meeting  26 February – 1 March will be assured of a warm welcome. Our colleagues Anette Mjöberg, Pirkko Lindberg and Leikny Indergaard  have developed a comprehensive program for the Section’s Mid-Term meeting in Malmö, Sweden and Tårnby/Copenhagen, Denmark.

There will opportunities to hear about the latest developments from around the world, visit some great libraries, provide input into the Section’s strategic direction and take advantage of great networking opportunities.

So Much More: The Economic Impact of the Toronto Public Library System

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In December a report, So Much More: The Economic Impact of the Toronto Public Library System on the City of Toronto was released. Commissioned by the Toronto Public Library and undertaken by Martin Prosperity Institute, part of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, this was the first Canadian study to measure the library’s economic impact on Toronto.

Results clearly demonstrate that Toronto Public Library delivers a strong return on investment through the delivery of library services that enhance Toronto’s competitiveness and prosperity and contribute to a better quality of life for all.

Key findings include:

  •  The total economic impact of the Toronto Public Library on the city of Toronto is $1 billion.
  •  For every dollar invested in Toronto Public Library, Torontonians receive $5.63 of value.
  •  For those who use the library, the average value of services accessed is as much as $500.
  • On average, one open hour at any one of the library’s 98 branches generates $2,515 in benefits for the city of Toronto. The average cost of one open hour is $653, so the average benefit is almost 4 times the average cost.

Beyond tangible benefits outlined in the report, the library delivers value to Toronto’s communities and residents in ways that are not easily quantifiable but nonetheless support Toronto’s economy, increase its competitiveness and prosperity and contribute to the city’s livability and quality of life. Measuring the value of programs and services in economic terms only tells part of the story.

The report also includes analysis of some Toronto Public Library programs and services that make a difference to the city, going beyond the numbers. These services are not easily quantifiable, but create significant value for residents, including opportunities to improve literacy skills, engage in lifelong learning and enhance educational and employment opportunities. These outcomes deliver a lifetime of value to residents and increase the economic competitiveness and prosperity of Toronto.

Toronto Public Library Workers Union congratulated the Library Board for conducting this study which they siad reinforced the message of their recently released  four-minute animated video OurPublicLibrary.to

What roles do public libraries play in cities of the knowledge era?

What roles do public libraries play in  cities of the knowledge era? What are the core services of those libraries? ‘Public Libraries in the Knowledge Society: Core Services of Libraries in Informational World Cities’ is the result of an empirical investigation by 6 German professionals who analyzed libraries from 31 Informational World Cities. The results make for very interesting and thought provoking reading.

Imagine yourself presenting at a poster session in Lyon!

Poster Sessions

 

World Library and Information congress
80th IFLA General Council and Congress
Libraries, Citizens and Societies: Confluence for Knowledge
16-22 August 2014, Lyon, France.
Are you involved in an interesting project or in an area of work that you would like to discuss with or show to other congress attendees? Why not present your work in the IFLA Poster Sessions? Your topic could be described on a printed poster or by photographs, graphics and pieces of text that you attach to the presentation panel. All IFLA official languages – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish – are welcome.

Presenters of a poster will be expected to be present on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 August 2014 in order to explain their poster and to hand out any leaflets, or other information materials, they have available for viewers of their poster. Each presenter can therefore only present one poster. Any organization that submits more than one application should indicate a priority to their submissions.

Conference participants interested in presenting a poster should complete the  online registration form. It is important that applicants describe how they intend to illustrate the project in the poster format. The poster has to be an experience in itself for the one who looks at it – and should show awareness of the poster format.

Special consideration will be given to ensure that a variety of topics and geographical/cultural range will be represented.
The deadline is 03 February 2014, after the deadline applications will no longer be accepted. A jury comprised of 2 members of the IFLA Professional Committee will review all submissions and at the congress they will select the winner of the Best IFLA Poster 2014 based on the following criteria:
Does the topic of the poster?

  • Look interesting and/or inspiring;
  • Look lively;
  • Lend itself to a poster session; is not too abstract;
  • Present new ideas or present an application of technology;
  • Appear to be clearly explained;
  • Not duplicate another poster, nor have the same presenter as another poster;
  • Have a relationship to the theme of the WLIC;
  • Have a clear library relevance or perspective;
  • Describe a project that is ongoing or near completion, not one that is yet to start.

For complete and up-to-date information concerning Poster Sessions, please see the Call for Posters webpage on the IFLA WLIC 2014 conference website. If you have any further questions, please contact posters@ifla.org