Libraries to the rescue...again!

 Developing World Libraries:

Connecting People and Knowledge for the Betterment of the World

The subject of how world libraries and how access to libraries around the world could impact developing countries has had me thinking of one of my first blog posts. A throwback to my own work seems a bit pompous but since the subject matter and my own fangirl position is pretty cheesy, I think it's ok. A quick recap in case you didn't click back for review (I wouldn't have either):

In 2014, TNT launched an irreverent sci-fi fantasy series called, "The Librarians" as a spin off of the movie series of the same name. It ran for 4 seasons and depicted a motely crew of misfits taking on the role of librarian to save the world. According to Wikepedia, "The Librarians are an ancient organization dedicated to protecting an innocent world from a magical and fantasy-like secret reality hidden from view." It was a fabulous, goofy show that reflected zero real librarianship but did reinforce the notion that librarians have every resource at their fingertips and that the library stacks are boundless, limitless shelves where all manner of info can be gathered by simply pulling the right tome. Their library was a magical place where the answers to all the problems in the world, real and imagined, could be found. My kind of library!

Update: This Hollywood imagined and green screen created library is not a real world entity. It certainly doesn't exist in the real world. Instead, the lack of access to libraries is in developing worlds is so sad that no tv show would even touch it. And if there are library like options, they are often a mishmash of decades worth of resources, broken or imaginary technology, tables, chairs and questionable leavings by distracted patrons. Arguably, many people around globe don't even have access to donated World Encyclopedias from 1999. 

And yet... we know the power of a library. It is magical and capable of pulling off even the most unimaginable feats of learning, research and education. A library can be almost all things to everyone. In theory. And now, with the possibility of digital access to the world, even developing country patrons can harness the power of the library, once again proving that libraries and librarians are the true super heroes. 

In my search for info on how the digital revolution has helped to connect communities in developing countries with global resources through libraries, I found this 2013 Guardian article that became the springboard into my own deep dive. Quite honestly, reporter Stewart Hamilton did a far better job than I could of explaining the initiatives so I highly encourage you to click over and read his article. But if you don't have time, here's a quick summary: He is arguing that, "There are over 320,000 public libraries worldwide, 230,000 of which are in developing countries. The potential of these institutions to support development goals is being underused. Public libraries, if properly supported, offer their users access to resources which can help improve their economic and social wellbeing". He posits that public libraries are ideal for supporting communities' improvement for two basic reasons; they already exist and people like them. While these seem like very simple concepts, the significance of both cannot go unnoticed. Developing countries or an impoverished community does not have untold coffers from which to pull new money for initiatives. Or to spend on campaigns to draw people to those programs. By using the already embedded and funded public library system, both those hurdles are jumped and the remaining obstacles can be attempted. An argument that once again proves the power of the library and librarians.

Hamilton points to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) as being a front runner in supporting and developing these initiatives. Their mission statement is clear, "IFLA advocates for libraries to be recognised as essential partners for inclusive, sustainable development, through their work to provide meaningful access to information for all." They have partnered with the UN on the 17 Sustainable Goals mission, of which number 4 is quality education, the focus of which is elementary level literacy improvement world wide. 

There are many numerous projects documented by Hamilton's article and on the IFLA website that all reinforce the need for literacy and public libraries in developing worlds. And the digital element is always highlighted as one of the biggest draws; access to the wealth of information and news accessed through real time connections with the world at large through the internet. There is no way to even adequately explain how being connected to the larger global community can impact how people gain literacy and knowledge. 

The one piece that is not really mentioned however, is the curation and organization of the digital collection. Without proper teaching and support, a library cannot be anything more than a quasi internet cafe, minus the coffee. 

TL Takeaway

This is where the TL is able to harness the power of the digital realm and make a library truly magical. As I said in 2022,  with the right teaching librarian at the helm, a library can be almost all things to everyone. In theory. And within budget. No small feat for any librarian, even the magical ones on tv. 

It could be argued that digital access to the world's online resources is just a reference point in any given library. But how to properly manage it? It's not like a set of World Books. Riedling supposes that "reference services revolve around the basic principle of maximization of information resources in all formats" (3). But this description is far too vague to truly express what it is that managing and evaluating a reference resource like the internet is. Nor does it adequately explain what role the TL plays in curating this reference collection, especially in a developing country situation where the patrons may struggle with basic literacy.  So...what is a librarian do? 

Since said reference resources are almost exclusively online, the TL's job would be largely to engage with patrons and point them in the right direction digitally to gain access to those resources. Guided lessons that involved digital literacy and other key skills would be key. 

According to Torukwein, (2019), "[F]or there to be an effective reference service delivery there must be sound and quality reference collections. Acccording to Agidahun(2004) a library that cannot meet the information needs of its users is moribond and anaemic in information system because it has lost its vitality, honour and attraction. Hence, libraries should ensure that they provide adequate and relevant sources in order to meet the information needs of users". If the model of the modern reference collection is all digital then it needs to be curated or collated at an appropriate level, which would be at the discretion of the librarian who would be best able to meet the patrons skill set and needs. The power and duty of this role could be overwhelming so it's a good thing that TLs are real life super heroes. 

TLs in developing countries have a huge job ahead of them. I suppose there is a kind of irony to this conundrum; that which the TL is attempting to figure out (the internet) is the one thing they can use to learn how to manage it. I guess that's the magic of the library yet again. 

References

 

Ajidahun, C.O. (2004) The acquisition management and bibliographic control of government publication in Nigerian university libraries World Libraries 14

“Beyond Access.” IREX, www.irex.org/project/beyond-access. Accessed 24 Oct. 2023.

Hamilton, Stewart. “ Stamping out Poverty as Well as Books? How Libraries Can Support Development.” The Guardian, 12 Mar. 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/mar/12/libraries-power-global-development. Accessed 24 Oct. 2023.

“Powering Sustainable Development.” IFLA - Powering Sustainable Development, IFLA, www.ifla.org/units/sustainable-development/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2023.

Riedling, Ann Marlow, and Cynthia Houston. Reference Skills for the School Librarian: Tools and Tips. Libraries Unlimited, an Imprint of ABC CLIO, LLC, 2019.

Torukwein, David-West, Boma. “Availability and Utilization of Reference Sources in Academic Libraries By.” Academia.edu, 25 June 2021, https://www.academia.edu/49360503/