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IASL CONFERENCE

Malmö, Sweden
August 6-10, 2000

In Words, Pictures and Sound!

Information Literacy -­ Key to the Future was the theme of the conference of IASL (International Association of School Librarianship) held August 6-10, 2000 in Malmö, Sweden. It was the 29th Annual IASL Conference. Over 325 delegates from more than 30 countries attended the conference, which featured workshops, seminars, school tours, receptions, exhibits, and the Fourth International Forum on Research in School Librarianship. Delegates attend from around the world. Countries represented at the conference included:

Helle Barrett (Sweden) coordinated this year¹s conference.

During the Opening General Session, Hans Persson, Director of Education for the city of Malmö, stated "You can¹t find anywhere a school with excellent quality and very good results without having a school librarian with good standard and highly educated and professional staff." Angeta Eriksson, City Commissioner, followed with "A complete society must absolutely have libraries. They must be supported by government and local communities, so they can make progress and always be in the frontline of information". Anna-Lisa Fäldt, from the Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs stated that "School libraries are strategic in the development of the Swedish school system and that school librarians are strategic persons in this development". Malin Koldenius, Chair of the Scholl library Committee of the Swedish Library Association concluded with "Do we read them? Are we quite sure of what they are saying? Are we listening to them -­ to their wishes, abilities, ideas and needs for knowledge? Do we understand? In my daily work .I will try to think of this -­ the other¹s point of view". The Opening General Session also included the Brass Sextet of Limhamm and the annual traditional IASL flag ceremony.

The conference sign

The Brass Sextet of Limhamm who performed during the Conference Opening Ceremony.

Malin Koldenius, Chair of the School Library Committee of the Swedish Library Association, speaking at the Opening Ceremony

Peter Genco (USA), Vice President for Association Operations, with delegates on stage during the Flag Ceremony

Dr Diljit Singh (Malaysia) plants his country's flag during the Flag Ceremony

Sessions in the Fourth International Forum on Research in School Librarianship included presentations by Dianne Oberg (Canada) "Internet Use in Schools in Alberta, Canada: Implications for School Librarians", Lucília Salgado (Portugal) "Literacy and Learning of Reading and Writing", James Herring (Scotland, UK) "Theory Into Practice: Using the PLUS Model to Teach Information Skills and Support the Curriculum in a Secondary School", Diljit Singh (Malaysia) "Competencies for Teacher-Librarian: The Malaysian Perspective", Ken Haycock (Canada) "Internet Filtering in School Libraries", and Eleanor Howe (USA) "The Relationship Between Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension: Implications for the School Librarian". Linda Langford presented the work of Ross Todd (both Australia) "Knowledge Management: Key to Partnerships, Learning Outcomes and Resourcing a Learning Community".

Other sessions, presented by IASL members, included Margaret Baffour-Awuah (Botswana) "Reading Makes a Difference", Maureen Trebilcock (New Zealand) "Information Literacy and Web-based Training", Gerald Brown (Canada) "Library Volunteers: Developing a Winning Team", Sandy Zinn (South Africa) "Information Literacy and Outcomes-based Education in South African Schools in the 21st Century: the Challenges of Disparities", Peter Genco (USA) "Online in Pennsylvania and Beyond", Penny Moore (New Zealand) "Reflecting on Learning and Information Literacy: a Way of Life", Inci Onal and Ayse Nuray Onal (Turkey) "On a Different Image of Teaching", and Ulf Åkerberg (Sweden) "PEDNET ­- A Pedagogical ICT Platform for 40,000 Teachers and Students in Malmö".

Sandy Zinn (South Africa) giving a paper as part of the professional programme

A new award was presented for the first time in Malmö. The 2000 IASL/Concord School Library Page Award went to Peter Milbury for his library website at Chico High School in California, USA. A committee, coordinated by Dr. Anne Clyde, selects monthly winners of school library websites, which promote the involvement of school librarians in the development of the Web. The annual winner is then selected from the monthly recipients and receives a cash award and plaque from Concord.

The 2000 IASL/Jean E. Lowrie Leadership Development Grant was presented to Thomas Adigun from the University of Swaziland in Kwaluseni, Swaziland. This grant enables leaders from developing nations to attend an IASL conference and is named for Dr. Lowrie, IASL¹s first President and Executive Secretary.

The 2000 IASL/Winnebago Progressive School Library Media Award went to Mrs. S.K.Sandhu of the Budha Dal Public School in Patiala, India. The award is granted for the implementation of innovative ideas to enhance lifelong learning skills for students. The plaque and check for US$400 was sent to the school. Param Jit Sing (Uday), Vice President of the school, traveled to Sweden with Manjeet Kaur, Director of the school.

The 2000 IASL/UNESCO International Book Project #554 was awarded to the Khodobi Primary School in Gazankulu, South Africa. The purpose of the award is to provide funds to purchase books for school libraries in developing countries. Alf Engdahl, Principal of the School of Värner Ryden in Malmö, accepted the 2000 International Book Exhibit, coordinated by Ruth Cady (USA). Books were brought by IASL members from around the world and contributed to the exhibit.

At Malmö City Hall: Penny Moore (New Zealand), organiser of the 2001 IASL Conference; Ken Haycock (Canada), IASL Executive Director; Helle Barrett (Sweden), organiser of the 2000 IASL Conference; Blanche Woolls (USA), IASL President

The Icelandic delegates entertain guests at the Conference Dinner with an Icelandic folk song.

The Botswanans also performed at the Conference Dinner

The Australians sing "Waltzing Matilda" at the Conference Dinner.

The Annual IASL Auction was very successful this year. The auction took place at the Malmö City Library with IASL¹s Auctioneer, Gerald Brown (Canada). Money raised at the annual auction is used to support various IASL projects geared to members in the developing nations. This year¹s auction was the 12th Annual Auction and raised over US$1500. Thanks to all who contributed items to sell and all who bid on items!

This year's Assembly of Associations, chaired by Gerald Brown, heard reports from 29 countries. The membership elected James Henri (Australia) as Vice President for SIGs -­ Special Interest Groups; Margaret Baffour-Awuah (Botswana) as Director for Sub-Sahara Africa; Jenny Ryan (Australia) as Director for Oceania and re-elected Monica Nilsson (Sweden) as Director for Europe. All terms are for three years and will expire in 2003. Other organizational details include adoption of the Sturgis Code of Parliamentary Procedure and the one-year appointment of Sandy Zinn (South Africa) as Vice President for Association Relations. Invitations/preparations for future conferences include New Zealand (2001), Malaysia (2002), and South Africa (2003).

The 2001 IASL Conference will be held July 9-12, in Auckland, New Zealand. The theme will be Inspiring Connections: Learning, Libraries & Literacy.

The New Zealanders, Penny Moore, Jill and Maureen, invite delegates to the 2001 IASL conference, to be held in Auckland, New Zealand.

Reported from the IASL perspective by Peter Genco, IASL Vice President for Association Operations. Genco is a Library Media Specialist and Technology Team Leader at Fairview High School near Erie, PA (USA)

Photographs by Peter Genco, Gene Cady, and Ulf Åkerberg.

Gene Cady took some spectacular photos of Norway while on a post-conference tour. This is a sample.

Last Updated 9 April 2003 (LAC)