IFLA-ALP-funded Workshop on Library Advocacy
IFLA-ALP-funded Workshop on Library Advocacy
Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. Information supplied by Arlene Cohen, University of Guam
The IFLA Advancement of Librarianship in the Third World Programme (ALP) recently sponsored a workshop to train Library Association leaders in Micronesia in library advocacy and policy development, presented at the Pacific Islands Association of Libraries and Archives (PIALA) annual meeting, November 1997, in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. The proposal, prepared by Arlene Cohen of the University of Guam,was approved by the Standing Committee of the IFLA Section on Asia and Oceania in May 1997, and provided funding to cover the participation of 11 library association leaders from Micronesia and also of Tuula Haavisto, the workshop presenter, from the IFLA Round Table for the Management of Library Associations and currently on leave as Secretary-general of the Finnish Library Association.
PIALA was formed in 1991, to address the needs of librarians and archivists in the Pacific, with a special focus on the Micronesian islands. One of the strongest areas of need is education and training. This workshop was designed to look at issues in library advocacy within the context of Micronesia and provide new skills to Library Association leaders and librarians in the region. It was held in conjunction with the PIALA '97 Conference, during the week of 17 November 1997, in Pohnpei.
Prior to the workshop, participants were asked to read two very recent papers: Jennifer Joseph's "LATT's response to the National Library issue in Trinidad and Tobago" (063-RTMLA-1-E), and Kay Raseroka's "How do we raise awareness about ourselves as Library Associations?"(066-RTMLA-4-E). These papers had been presented at the 63rd IFLA General Conference, Session 96, Section on Management and Library Associations on 2 September 1997.
The project was planned to take place at the end of the PIALA '97 annual meeting. Ms Haavisto arrived with the grant participants at the beginning of the meeting, which allowed her, and the conference participants, time to meet informally and to take part in the discussions. Prior to the workshop Ms Haavisto spent many hours informally discussing the unique issues and challenges of librarianship in Micronesia.
PIALA '97 drew 86 participants. Along with the participation of the grant funded attendees, the workshop was open to anyone registered for PIALA '97. More than 20 people pre-registered for the workshop, prior to the actual PIALA gathering. By the time the workshop had begun, the registration had increased to 43 people, due in no small part to Ms Haavisto's earlier presence.
The goal of the workshop was to have participants:
understand the role of library associations as pressure groups for political action and policy development;
understand the importance of policies and standards, and how to formulate them;
learn methods to implement policies and standards, including ways of communicating then to governing agencies and the public at large.
see the value of lobbying, how it can be effectively accomplished and the relationship between library advocacy and funding.
At future PIALA conferences participants will be encouraged to share and critique their library advocacy efforts. Sessions will be planned in which participants share their experiences about advocating library services to governing agencies and the public at large,based on the information and skills gained from this very successful workshop.
