IASL ANNUAL REPORT 2006

Report submitted by the International Development Special Interest Group, Co-ordinator, Gerald Brown
Please direct any communication in response to this report to the SIG - International Development Co-ordinator.

Major accomplishments for IASL:
The following activities have been undertaken within the objectives of the SIG, and in relation to the Mission of IASL

Objectives:

  1. To identify areas of expertise available among the membership for school library development projects
    • CANADA. British Columbia. Reporting on the activities across the province related to National School Library Day
    • CANADA. Linked Canadian College of Teachers Newsletter editor to Shirley Lewis, Volunteer Services Overseas worker to write articles about her experiences working in Ethiopia, entitled “How Volunteering Abroad Changed Me”
    • CANADA. Manitoba. Collaborated with University of Manitoba, Canadian College of Teachers and Phi Delta Kappa to promote the Graduate Research Symposium 2006
    • CANADA. Ontario. Reported on the Canadian Coalition for School Libraries’ research and analysis of school testing results and their congruency of school library programs
    • CANADA. Ontario Library Association. Reporting on the Africa Project, a method of providing support to developing nations projects
    • CANADA. Saskatchewan. Regina Public Schools. Provided international perspective during system school library review
    • CANADA. Saskatchewan. Regina Public Library. Report on research into the changing reading habits of children – a national research study (Gagnon)
    • CANADA. Saskatchewan School Library Association. Participation in conference 2006, including presentations on “Information Literacy – an International Perspective”, as well as discussion forums and annual general meeting.
    • EGYPT. Konouz. Circulated request and provided information relative to a development of beginning libraries in rural schools
    • INDONESIA. Assisted with the editing of an article about school library development in region, with recommendations for development
    • JORDAN. Encouraged Ministry of Education to become a member, and to involve IASL leaders from the region in seminars
    • MALTA. University & MSLA. Set up a process for depositing of professional magazines for use by the teaching faculty and the membership, through donations on a systematic basis from North America
    • NAGALAND. Advice on setting up a foundation, and funding sources to develop community libraries in rural areas.
    • NEPAL. Consultative assistance on the organization of a regional seminar on information literacy, including funding sources, leadership teams, and agendas
    • PAKISTAN. Facilitator for seminar on information literacy: “Empowering 8 – A Problem-Solving Model, Part 2 October 2005, along with several other IASL leaders, and including editing of the Proceedings
    • SIERRE LEONE. Promotion of, and assistance with the Glenlawn (Canada) High School International Club working with the Girl-Child Project, to collect containers of support material and resources to develop a school and dormitory for pregnant teenagers and their children in a small rural community
    • SINGAPORE. Provided advice on, and for contact persons relative to a Request for Proposal” related to the development of curricula for information literacy instruction
    • SRI LANKA. Elaborated Problem-Solving Model – Empowering 8 through a series of ‘Focal Points for Advocacy” document
    • SRI LANKA. Reported on “Reading Activities” and related developments as part of NSLD
    • SRI LANKA. Eastern University. Supported appeal to general membership for tsunami relief, including reports on development
    • SRI LANKA. South Eastern University. Assisted in drafting strategic plans for the re-activation of programs for regional information networking including schools, colleges, universities, public libraries, and community information centres.
    • THAILAND. Facilitator along with several other IASL leaders for a seminar related to the integration of information literacy into school library programs across the region (October), and including editing of the Proceedings.
    • UKRAINE. Kiev. Provided information for Ministry of Education and related pedagogical centres to access IASL programs
    • UK. Middlesex University. Contact names for leaders who could be Ph.D examiners
    • VANUATU. Assisted in editing an article about library development in the region, including recommendations for development
  2. To identify partners who need assistance in applying for grants (or similar funding) for projects, which fall within the objectives of IASL.
    • EAST ASIA. Collaborated as a mentor Angel Leung, Director for East Asia Region on a continuing basis, in the development of strategic plan options, publicity campaigns, regional contact lists, follow-up methods, recommendations development
    • LATIN AMERICA. Assisted Paul Christensen in application for Fulbright Scholarship to work in Latin America developing school librarianship training programs
    • LATIN AMERICA. Collaborated as a mentor Katharine Berg, Director for Latin America and Caribbean Region on a continuing basis, in the development of strategic plan options, publicity campaigns, regional contact lists, and follow-up methods.
    • KOREA. Assisted in promoting the IFLA Seoul Conference Call for Papers, and encouraging members to make submission, as well as to apply for travel grants
    • NEPAL. Provided assistance and contacts for the development of book distribution projects, and book publication projects to meet local needs
    • NEPAL. Provided contact points for funding support for Orphanage Libraries Project
    • UNESCO. Assisted several projects in their application for funding through the “Information For All” granting process
    • USA. Assisted in the drafting of terms of reference for the Publications Dissemination Committee, and with Fran Luther in follow-up publications from the Hong Kong conference, and in publicity for the activity at the forthcoming conference
    • ZIMBABWEE. Provided assistance in drafting applications for funding proposals for resources for developing school projects
  3. To function in a consultative capacity to members in general with relation to grants, matching expertise, or communication issues
    • Connecting Pia Russell, Canadian researcher in policy development to Perth, Australia
    • Article written for Dagestan Conference on Libraries Connecting Communities
    • Submission of material to International Information Literacy Resource Directory in collaboration with SIG – Information Literacy, as well as the promotion of both sources to membership
    • Assistance to the NSLD Committee through access to the Contact List for Assembly of Associations to 2005, and communication with people on that last about the purpose and function of NSLD
    • Provision of advice and assistance to members in Malta respecting cataloguing sources, standards, tools and vendors in different parts of the world
    • Assisted members in Turkey with follow-up on Hong Kong Conference registration matters
    • Edited paper from Russell Bowden for submission to IFLA website and publications respecting the success of the Empowering Workshops Parts 1 & 2, and the relevant Proceedings availability
    • Assisted in editing papers for presentation at the IFLA regional workshop held in Hanoi and Malaysia
    • Provided interview opportunities and applications for jobs in Canada for Library Science students both national and internationally
    • Supported a number of individuals in their consideration for Nominations
    • Distributed information about the International Journal of Education and Development widely among members.
    • Assisted in writing and publicity of Patiala Empowering 8 workshop activities, and resulting materials
    • Promoted the UK. Manchester – Joint Use Facilities Conference June 2007 CFP
    • Promoted World Futures Conference 2006.07.08

Meetings of Note:

  1. Opportunity, at no cost to IASL, to meet personally with the Director for East Asia region on two occasions was valuable and productive for both
  2. Opportunity, a no cost to IASL, to work with professional colleagues in Sri Lanka has been important to continue the work of the Empowering 8 workshops
  3. Numerous Internet and E mail connections and communications are handled on a daily basis for the association related to this SIG

Current Concerns:

  1. Costs to attend the conference are relative prohibitive for individuals from developing countries. Can there be a split level fee structure in the same manner as there are options for membership?
  2. The Leadership Development Award must cover a greater amount of the travel costs for the recipient
  3. Electronic access is usually impossible for many people in developing countries. IASL must provide another option to assist them in understanding what they need to do.
  4. There is a need for IASL to establish POLICIES that tell the world what IASL stands for, and what the membership believes. The following are some of the areas that need attention.

    5. a. Glossary of definitions that are accepted across the profession
    b. Terminology for differentiated library staffing patterns
    c. Job classifications to match the above staffing patterns
    d. Educational requirements recommended to meet these job classifications
    e. Guidelines for the Components of a Quality School Library and Information Services Program
    f. Information Literacy and its implications for School Librarianship
    g. Information Literacy and its implications for School Administrators
    h. Information Literacy and its implications for Parents
    i. Assistance in identify sources for funding for distance education programs for members or potential members in developing countries

Recommendations to the IASL Board/Executive:

  1. That Committees be established, with international representation, to address each of the above POLICY matters, and that the general membership be kept apprized of the progress of the committees.
  2. That the results of the Exhibit arranged Publications Dissemination Committee be shared widely among the membership as soon as possible after the conference.