Author Archives: richards

Meet the candidates: Raneetha Rajaratnam

Raneetha Rajaratnam
Deputy Director
National Library of Singapore
SINGAPORE

With 21 years of extensive experience in public library operations and services, I am confident of contributing fresh ideas, and leading projects as a standing committee member in the Public Libraries Section.

Recognised for my innovative ideas, ability to motivate teams and enthusiasm for the field of librarianship, I have been the Assistant Manager in 2 regional libraries, setup a department to run an extensive national school reading programme, introduced awards to recognise best reading practices in educational institutions, and created an online reading portal to encourage a three-pronged approach to reading in the 21st century – (i) engagement; (ii) co-creation; (iii) cultivating the reading habit. Currently, as the Deputy Director for Content and Services, I lead the team that is responsible for public library services to children and teens, and this includes nationwide initiatives for underserved communities. One my most significant achievement in the past year was formulating and rolling out a forward-looking 5-year services masterplan for all public libraries in Singapore.

I believe in seeking opportunities to influence change. In my early days as a Senior Librarian, passionate about the professional development of staff, I created a series of literature courses and conducted training for all public librarians. When asked if I could get all public library staff energised and excited about reading, I designed a game show like literature competition for staff to showcase their literary knowledge. My keenness to look into staff professional development led to a recommendation for me to develop a skills enhancement framework for public librarians and para-professional library officers. This pilot initiative is currently being implemented in stages for all staff.

For more information about voting for members of the Public Libraries Standing Committee take the time to read our post

Meet the candidates: Simona Ziliene

Simona Žilienė
Central Library of Vilinus City Municipality
 LITHUANIA

 My name is Simona Žilienė. Work at public libraries field 17 years and recognise public libraries as the main institutions at modern society which are able to provide relevant services to every community group especially to socially disadvantaged community groups members. I have an interest to develop public libraries psychosocial services for communities as today public libraries become spaces where everyone can to have activities which help for persons non-formal education, help to solve psychosocial issues using such methods as bibliotheraphy or reading promotion activities, lifelong learning, learning self-help methods and achieving new skills at digital literacy. Public libraries are important at global processes such as: social inclusion, protection of multicultural societies and help to understand each others, culture diversity preservation, digital literacy learning, lifelong learning, help to understand and accept democratic processes as well public libraries can be enabled to become (or already are) “solicitors” of local communities when help to unite for solving local issues and promote creativity for all communities members.

I am a council member of Lithuanian Librarians Association and also one of founders  of NGO Children and Youth Day Center (it works at public library) which provides sociocultural services for children and teenagers from socially disadvantaged families.   Think that collaboration and partnership between public libraries and NGO‘s is very important and can be very useful for communities.

For more information about voting for members of the Public Libraries Standing Committee take the time to read our post

Meet the candidates: Liz White

Liz White
Strategic Membership Team
British Library
UNITED KINGDOM

I’m delighted to be standing for election for IFLA’s Public Libraries Committee and would consider it an honour to opportunity to engage with colleagues worldwide on strategic issues, share best practice and to advocate for libraries.

I am passionate about the value and importance of public libraries and of the vital roles that library and informational professionals play in today’s society.

In my role as a member of the Strategic Leadership Team at the British Library, I led the development of our Living Knowledge vision, which highlighted the crucial importance of public libraries and librarians in today’s knowledge economy.  In 2016 I was personally responsible for the introduction of the Living Knowledge Network, a new and innovative partnership between 22 public libraries and the three National Libraries of the UK, with the aim of sharing professional knowledge and providing joint offers to audiences- reaching more than 1 million people in two years through exhibitions and live screenings, as well as supporting librarians with professional development and networking.  We’re also working with external arts organisations such as the Hay Festival and Poet in the City to share their work across the UK with public library audiences.

I regularly represent the British Library at national-level and am a Board member of Libraries Connected, a sector-support body for public libraries in England and Wales.  Over the past year I have been leading a project for the UK public library sector to consider ways to use digital to enhance the civic role of public libraries and to reinforce their public and social value.  I’m a regular speaker at international library conferences and it would be a privilege to work with other committee members on developing and implementing a shared international vision for public libraries at a time when they are needed more than ever before.

For more information about voting for members of the Public Libraries Standing Committee take the time to read our post

Meet the candidates: Jieyin Feng

Jieyin Feng
Shanghai Library
China

I received a MLS from the University of South Florida, USA in 1998, and since then have worked as a reference librarian in the Shanghai Library, China, providing services to the general public in a city with a population of over 25 million. We also receive readers from all over the world.

I served two terms as a standing committee member of the IFLA Reference and Information Services section (2003-2011), then two terms for the Government Information and Official Publications section (2011-2019). I hope my experience working for these two sections and as a long-standing librarian in a large public library can allow me to make more contributions to the Public Libraries section.

I’m also willing to participate in all the activities involving the section, work with my international colleagues as a trustworthy member, and help to advocate the missions and goals of the section.

For more information about voting for members of the Public Libraries Standing Committee take the time to read our post

 

 

Meet the candidates: Hege Kristine Myhrebakken

Hege Kristine Myhrebakken
Østre Toten folkebibliotek
Norway

My name is Hege Kristine and I am 29 years old. I started my library career in 2015, in a public library in a small municipality of 15 000 people. I am a fulltime youth librarian at Østre Toten folkebibliotek, and my background is an education in creative writing and cultural project management.

In 2017 I attended my first IFLA congress, thanks to a scholarship from Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees (Fagforbundet). After IFLA17 I became a member of Fagforbundets library interest group, which gives guiding advice on library politics. I received yet another scholarship last year, and attended IFLA in Kuala Lumpur. Whilst there, I attended several Public Libraries business meetings/sessions, and found your work something I myself would like to be a part of.

As a librarian and a member of my union, I am interested in further development of public libraries and the access to knowledge and information. I would like to work for strengthening the role that the public library has in society, both as a free and equal place to meet other people and as a democratic arena for debates and discussions.

I would love to be a part of shaping the future of public libraries, and to work with talented and unique colleagues from all over the world! I will bring my passion for libraries and reading, and convert them into actions that will be a part of the shaping of the future.

For more information about voting for members of the Public Libraries Standing Committee take the time to read our post.

Meet the candidates: Ines Vila

Ines Vila
Oporto
Portugal

My name is Inês Vila, I have been working in public libraries since 2005. During twelve years I work as librarian responsible for a Public Library, where I coordinate the Library Reading Promotion Projects and Programs, I select, manage, evaluate and develop all the services for children, young and adult users. I was responsible for by carrying out various projects, including the “Makerspace BMI – Juntos Fazemos!”, the first Makerspace in a Public Library in Portugal. Since last month I’m Head of Libraries Services in Oporto.

As a Librarian I’ve been an active member of my National Library Association (BAD), and during the last two years I represent the Association in the two European IFLA Global Vision Workshop, and also in the Generation Code meeting organized by Public Libraries 2020. I was also involved with colleagues from Latin America, because I was selected to participate during 2015-2017 in the INELI Iberoamerica, International Network of Emerging Library Innovator. In 2017 I participate in IFLA WLIC 2017 and It was the moment that I feel ready to work more actively in the international library movement, specially on the focus of public libraries, librarians and consequently the communities they serve.

For more information about voting for members of the Public Libraries Standing Committee take the time to read our post.

Meet the candidates: Byong Joon Na

Byong Joon Na
Library Director
Chungnam Library
Republic of Korea

I have worked as a librarian in public libraries for the last 20 years.
I am currently the director of the Chungnam Library
I would like to spread my dreams and passion at IFLA  if I have an opportunity.
I will devote my best to the development of the public library.
In addition, I will continue to study for the better tomorrow of the IFLA Public Libraries Standing Committee.

To contribute sustainable development of IFLA, l would like to carry out the following activities as a member of the Public Library Section  with creative passion.

First, Contributes to the development of public libraries by carrying out various projects,

Second, Developed a standard manual for the operation of public libraries to disseminate them to libraries in member countries and provide the basis for library operations,

Third, I will develop an online community space for mutual cooperation and communication, which is a public library in the world,

Finally, I want to establish a network of libraries through cyber space to promote all public libraries in member countries.

 

For more information about voting for members of the Public Libraries Standing Committee take the time to read our post.