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61st IFLA General Conference - Conference Proceedings - August 20-25, 1995

Introduction to Division 3.: Libraries Serving the General Public

Sissel Nilsen and Torny Kjekstad, Norwegian Library Association, Oslo, Norway


PAPER

The Division groups together libraries serving the general public as well as special library services directed to specific groups of the general public, such as children, linguistic minorites, pe ople with disabilities, people in hospital or prison.

The Division promotes the improvement of library services and information to all people, initiates projects, supervises their accomplishment and coordinates the activities of its Sections, Round Tab les and Working Groups. In the recent years the Sections and Round Tables have more than before worked cross-divisional and are cooperating rather than competing.

During the last two-year period the Division has discussed and proposed a new Core programme for literacy and reading promotion through libraries. This basic idea of libraries playing a more import ant role in combatting illiteracy throughout the world, is supported both by the Professional and the Executive Board, and to get this going a 2-3 three year project will be initiated, provided a hos t could be found.

The Division has also, together with the Section of Public Libraries, contributed to the revision of the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto.

The Division which consists of ten Sections and Round Tables, is the largest of the IFLA divisions. Underneath we have compiled a brief report of the objectives and projects of the different bodi es. Most of the Sections and Round Tables also publish newletters presenting trends and activities.

SECTION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES

The section serves as a forum for all types of libraries serving the general public.
Objectives:

Ongoing projects:
Publications:

SECTION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES

The use of school-libraries is the foundation for the use of all other libraries. In most countries this is the only place to reach all children.

Literacy is natured in the schools and is prerequisite for all subsequent library and information use. In a technological world where daily access to information becomes an essential tool, effective school libraries have a significant contribution to make.

In schools the role of the school-librarians is to encourage reading for pleasure and information. Library programmes and library services are essential in meeting curriculum needs and the interests of students and teachers . Vital to such provision is the existence of adequately-trained school librarians, appropriate government policy and effective links with the library and information infras tructure.

Object ives:
Ongoing projects:
Publications:
  • Guidelines for the Education and Training of School Librarians. Will be revised in 1995.
  • Managing School Libraries. By Frances L.Carroll. 1990.
  • Cultural Heritage through Literature. Annotated bibliography of books from twenty-nine countries . Edited by Lucille C. Thomas. 1990.

    SECTION OF CHILDREN'S LIBRARIES

    The Section`s major purpose is to support the provision of library service to children throughout the world.
    Objectives:
    The main objectives are to promote international cooperation in the field of library services to children and to encourage the exchange of experience and research in all aspects of this subject

    Ongoing projects:
    Publications:

    SECTION FOR LIBRARIES SERVING DISADVANTAGED PERSONS

    The Section focuses on promoting library services to meet the needs of those groups in the community that for one reason or another are unable to to make use of the conventional library services, who need support in using these services or who need library services which are adapted to their special needs. These groups include people in hospitals and prisons, the elderly in homes or day centre s, the housebounds, the physically disabled, the deaf, the mentally retarded etc.
    Objectives :
    Ongoing projects:

    SECTION OF LIBRARIES FOR THE BLIND

    The Section reflects the interest in library services for the blind and other print-handicapped readers. It is a main purpose to promote national and international cooperation in this field and to encourage research and development. The Section is also aiming at improving the availability and quality of materials for these groups.
    Objectives:
    Ongoing projects:
    Publications:

    SECTION ON LIBRARY SERVICES TO MULTICULTURAL POPULATIONS

    The Section on Library Services to Multicultural Populations brings together librarians and libraries involved in the development and availability of library services and materials designed to meet t he needs of cultural and linguistic minorities, both immigrant and indigenous, in the belief that all segments of the population in a country should have access to appropriate library and information services.

    To achieve this vision the section seeks to promote education, planning and implementation in multicultural library services by making available information on how to organize, implement and provide services and materials suitable for linguistic and cultural communities.

    Objectives:
    The Section provides a forum for exchange of information concerning the development of multilingual and multicultural library and information services
    Ongoing projects:

    ROUND TABLE ON MOBILE LIBRARIES

    Mobile libraries operate in rural and urban environments to provide library services where it would not be feasible to operate branch libraries. The Round Table focuses on all aspects of mobile libra ry operations and services. It is promoting and developing activities worldwide, particularily in those countries which have few or no mobile libraries.
    Objectives:
    Ongoing projects:
  • Develop an International Resource Kit on Mobile Libraries featuring information from countries around the world.
  • Investigation of twinning mobile library systems in different countries.
    Publications:
  • The Mobile Library Guidelines 1991. Translations into French, Arabic, Spanish, Malay.
  • Publication of guidelines on the design, construction and operations of mobile libraries. 1994
  • Mobile library in the World Community 1980-1992. An annotated bibliography. 1992

    ROUND TABLE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN CITY LIBRARIES (INTAMEL)

    INTAMEL is a platform for professional communication and information for libraries of cities with 400.000 or more inhabitants. The RT reflects inter-divisional interests as they apply to large metrop olitan city libraries.
    Objectives:
    The principle objectives are to provide assistance and support for members sharing similar problems and challenges, given the wide variations in the state of development of library services between c ities and countries.

    Ongoing projects:

    ROUND TABLE ON NATIONAL CENTRES FOR LIBRARY SERVICES (ROTNAC)

    This Round Table groups managers of national centres for library services. It encourages cooperation between the members and promotes cenral services as well as exchange of information on working methods, price setting and new developments.
    Ongoing projects:
    To establish different working groups to discuss current topics for cooperation among its members, e.g. AVM/new media, automation/information technology, publishing.

    ROUND TABLE OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE DOCUMENTATION CENTRES

    This Round Table, that has been established under the Section of Children's Libraries, supports children's literature documentation centres that record and investigate historic and contemporary chil dren's literature as well as documentation centres that provide research materiales on children's literature and reading habits.
    Objectives:
    Ongoing projects:
    Updating the directory of Children's Literature Documentation Centres


    The IFLA Professional Board has decided that the Round Table on Children's Literature Documentation Centres from 1996 would be discontinued and its activities and programmes merged with the new S ection on Reading, at present in Division VII.