A Report

On

“Global Conversation about how a United Library field can tackle the challenges of the future"

IFLA Global Vision Programme/Discussion and Workshop

15th August, 2017

Kathmandu, Nepal

Prepared by:

Mrs. Gita Giri Thapa

President, Nepal Library Association

Introduction:

IFLA Global Vision Regional Workshop Asia Oceania was held at the Modern National Library of Singapore from 28th to 29th June, 2017. It was the fifth IFLA Global vision Regional workshop. There were 32 participants who attended the workshop from 27 countries in Asia and Oceania and joined the voice of more than 300 librarians gathered by IFLA to explore how a connected library field can tackle the challenges of the future. Myself, Mrs. Gita Giri Thapa, President of Nepal Library Association also participated in the Workshop representing the country of Nepal.

The Workshop was very fruitful and was based on the main theme of: "Together we create the future".

Photo of IFLA Global Vision Regional Workshop Asia Oceania, National Library of Singapore

It was strongly felt by this participant that this message of unity should also be communicated to all the libraries in Nepal. The main objective of this workshop held in Kathmandu, Nepal was to share this knowledge to our librarians in Nepal.

Activities:

On 6th August 2017, a meeting was held on IFLA Global Vision discussion. A discussion group was formed in that meeting which fixed the date and venue for IFLA Global Vision Workshop in Nepal.

On 15th August, 2017 "Together We Create the Future" IFLA Global Vision Workshop was held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The workshop was organized by Nepal Library Association. It was also held to celebrate the 10th Annual Library Day in Nepal.

A total of 30 Librarians attended the workshop and all of them were from Kathmandu City. The participants and facilitators included senior Librarians, Librarians of Tribhuvan University, Librarians of Public Libraries, Librarians from Government, Librarians from Non- Government Organizations and International Non-Government Organizations Libraries.

Following were the main topics discussed in the workshop:

· united library field

· current values of Libraries

· core values of library

· impact on society

· better life for society

· main challenges to society

· main challenges to libraries

· How can Libraries in Nepal improve?

· What more should Libraries do?

· What should Libraries do less of ? etc

The workshop was appreciated as the first of its kind to be held in Nepal in the history of Library Science. It was felt to be a great inspiration and a great start for progressing in the path of unity to tackle problems of future together.

List of participants are included in the Annex

Details of the Programme:

First session

· Welcome speech delivered by Member of Nepal Library Association

Remarks by Dr. Tulasi Prasad Bhattarai, Chairman, Dilliraman-Kalyani Regmi Memorial Library Development Board.

- Introduction of the Participants and facilitators.

Second Session

All the participants were divided into four discussion groups (Table 1-4) and on each table, 2-3 facilitators were arranged. The guidelines provided by IFLA were distributed to all facilitators and participants to be discussed amongst them.

Mrs Gita Giri Thapa gave a Power-point presentation regarding IFLA Global Vision Programme and United Libraries. Please find the attached copy of this presentation.

Mrs Gita Giri Thapa, President - Nepal Library Association during the presentation

After the presentation the group of participant divided in four groups Table 1-4 supporting by two to 3 facilitators. They started to discussion with enjoying.

Table -1 Participants and facilitators are:

1. Mrs. Gita Giri Thapa - Facilitator

2. Mrs. Bina Vaidya – Facilitator

3. Mr. Indra P. Adhikari – Facilitator

4. Ms. Anju Rajbanshi

5. Ms. Nutan Dhungana

6. Ms. Shova Bhandari

7. Ms .Pujan Dahal

Table -2 Participants and facilitators are:

1. Mr. Murari Binod Pokhael - Facilitator

2. Mr. Yadab Chandra Niraula – Facilitator

3. Mr. Gobinda Raj Dahal

4. Mr. Prabin Poudel

5. Mr. Chin Kaji Shrestha

6. Mr. Jadish Aryal

Table -3 Participants and facilitators are:

1. Mr. Bhola Kumar Shrestha – Facilitator

2. Mr. Chandra Bhushan Yadav – Facilitator

3. Ms. Reshma Dangol

4. Ms. Neela Malla

5. Ms. Goma Banjade

6. Ms. Dimpal Bhattarai

Table -4 Participants and facilitators are:

1. Ms. Indira Dali – Facilitator

2. Ms. Saroja Shrestha - Facilitator

3. Ms. Chandra Kiran Shrestha – Facilitator

4. Mr. Ganesh Baitha –

5. Ms. Janaki Karmacharya

6. Ms. Parbati Nepal

7. Ms. Champa Kumari Gurung

After the (given time) Discussion and there were arranged refreshment.

Then the presentation started by 4 groups

Presentation by the Table -1 presented by Mr. Indra P. Adhikari Librarian of Tribhuvan University Central Library

TABLE - ONE

1. GLOBAL LIBRARY

LIBRARY THE KNOWLEDGE HOB

2. Sophisticated library, Technology savvy, Librarian having innovative mindset

3. [Image]

4. CORE VALUES

· Free access to all

· Lifelong education

· Developing reading habit to children

· Preservation of cultural heritage

· Continuing education

· Recreational center

· Digitization for global access

· Networking for resource sharing

· Information literate society

5 Dissemination of information to all without any prejudices.

6. Provide information to the clienteles both, online and offline media.

7. To reduce Time consuming activities.

CHALLENGES

· Scarcity of adequate fund

· Political interference

· Lack of social awareness

· Illiteracy

· Natural disaster

· Lack of awareness among higher authorities

· Lack of solidarity in library movement

· Attitude

United Library field

1.Characteristics

· Networking

· Free access to library

· Friends of library group

2. Central governing body to overlook the activities of the United Library

3. IFLA

4. Ministry of education should lead

5. NLA should lead

6. Seminar, publication, lecture etc.

Presentation by the Table -2 presented by Mr. Yadab Chandra Niroula under secretary Ministry of Education Library Coordination section .

TABLE – Two

IFLA Global Vision Pogramme/Discussion

Workshop 15th August 2017

Katmandu, Nepal

"Global Conversation about how a United Library field can tackle the challenges of the future"

Discussion: what a united library field might look like

"United Library Field" is a Global Vision: Local Values and Principles:

1. Create the cover of a magazine from 2030

Sun glowing from the dark to the light

Assumed that a library as a sun through digital access represents the overall socio economic aspects of the society around the globe .

"should written as "Library: As a change agent".

2. About highly successful Library

(Library )Economic development

Social development

Create social harmony

Access all types of resources

helps to pride the indigenous culture

3. Which Image support the message

As no 1.

4. What is the title:

Library: As a change agent

Current status of Libraries:

5. What are the core Values of Libraries?

- Safe space for all

- Community engagement and ownership

- Welcoming platform

example a. Free Access to all, Cultural Heritage, Lifelong learning, Knowledge transformation Continuing education etc.

6. What are Libraries exceptionally good at

- Community development center

- Peace building place

- Living archives' and knowledge hub

7. What should Libraries do more of

- reduce the social imbalances

- more user friendly, 24/7 access,

- resource full

- public ownership

8. What should Libraries do less of

- Political influence

- competition with each other among the libraries

- never forget to respect for all

- never bias by religion, caste, creede ….

Challenges and Societies:

Societies

a. Impact of Society:

- Advocacy on importance of library

-regular awareness with success stories

- Award and reorganization

- Special offers with package and motivational speech

-

b. Better life for Society

increased education level

increased economic condition

increased social harmony

c. What are the main challenges to Society (powerful Advocacy)

- Sustainability

- resources management

- human resources

- government priority

d. What are the main challenges to Libraries.

- Support from the public

- Technology adoption

- budget

Challenges ans.

a. Political

b. Economic

c. Rapid IT Development

d. Illiteracy

e. Climate Change

f. unskilled staff

g. Copyright

h. Insufficient resource support

i. Rate of Change in Technology

j. Lack of Advocacy

A United Library Field:

The idea of a united library field-

1. How should a united library field help to meet the Challenges identified?

- public awareness

- regular meeting with stakeholders

- create pressure for policy makers

-

2. What would be the characteristics of a united library field?

- Community ownership

- Library as guardian

-

3. What are the opportunities you to see to create a more united library field?

- Network to all libraries

- Resource sharing

- ownership building

4. What examples do you have of collaboration across countries regions or the globe?

- Resource sharing

- globe voice

- mutual cooperation among libraries

5. What are your suggestions for continuing this conversation in our country?

- discussion forum creation

- regular meeting/workshop/conference

-

6. What are your suggestions for continuing this conversation with our wider professional community?

- join already created discussion forums

- communicate information through regular meeting/workshop/conference

7. How can we include all voices in the Conversation?

- Sending the output of the workshop to the wider community

- Collecting feedback from concerned agencies

TABLE – Three

Presentation by the Table -3 (PP ) presented by Mr. Chandra Bhushan Yadab Library and Information Officer Nepal Health Research Council

Presentation by the Table -4 presented by Mrs. Chandra Kiran Shrestha Senior Program Officer RECPHEC

Title, message

Gyanko jharna (Spring of knowledge) :

Gyanko Chautari (Common platform/ Forum of knowledge) :

2. About highly successful library :

A. Fully equipped library (infrastructure, resource, IT development) for every sector

· Children

· Youth

· Disable

· Adult

· Women centered

· Senior citizen

B. Access to library (as extended time, easy access place)

C. Publicity/dissemination/marketing

D. Use as a platform (sharing forum for illiterate group, discussion on any social issues)

5. What are the core values of libraries ?

Government should provide free access information to people.

Private libraries should provide easy access with cost effective

Access to information from children to elders from their house as E- library.

Focus to illiterate people to promote readers

6. Community ownership

7. Play pro active role

8. helped to increase literacy rate

-empowered women

Challenges

· Library policy

· Law and regulations

· Authentic data of existing library

· Research : users

· Budget allocation

· Capacity building

· Advocacy

· Lack of coordination & solidarity

· Professional recognization

· Lack of motivation/promotion

· Lack of positive thinking attitude towards library & librarian

· Include library education from school

A. United Library field:

1. Proper advocacy

· full equip

· uniformity of database e. MARC

2. Positive attitude toward the users and manners

3. Coordination & cooperation between professionals

4. International conference, national conference

5. Interaction program, library orientation workshop, conference should organize periodically

· Capacity building: training should provided as require

6. Interaction program, idea sharing, meetings, talk programs

7. IFLA conference should be continue in different level/part of the country i.e: province, regional national and international

After the session, certificate was awarded to each participant

Conclusion:

The following were the main concepts of conclusion after the discussion among the participants.

1. Library: as an agent for change

2. One World One Library

3. Library as a source of “Spring of Knowledge” (“Gyanko Jharna” in Nepali)

4. Library: the Knowledge hub

As core values were discussed, similar collaborative values were indicated from all groups. Regarding challenges Nepalese libraries have faced, there was discussion about recent issues like natural disaster, lack of social awareness, library policy and law and regulation of library, Lack of Advocacy, etc. Further, the participants pointed out characteristics like networking, free access to library and possibilities of further intervention by Ministry of Education regarding united libraries . Last but not the least, it was discussed that we should give continuity to seminars, publications and lectures in order to continue the concept of unity as well as to empower the libraries. We distributed scarf to the ladies and Nepali cap to the gents to indicate the unity.

Publications:

The Regularly publishing journal and souvenir in Library and Information Science "Pustakalya Awaj" (Library voices) , monthly publication and "Souvenir "yearly publication in the Library day celebration August , 2017 published the article in each issue regarding the IFLA Global Vision Program. The photos of the article are:

Pustakalaya Aawaj vol.10 Number 2, 2074 (Library Voices vol.10. Number 2, August 2017

(Nepali Language)

SOUVENIR 10 th Library day 2017 August

PLAY CARD

English

PLAY CARD

Together we create the future in Nepali language

The following are some photos of the workshop.

.

List of Participants:

NameOrganization/Institution

1. Dr. Tulasi Prasad Bhattarai Chief guest Dilliraman-Kalayani Regmi Memorial Library

2. Ms. Indira DaliCCDL

3. Mr.Indra Prasad Adhikari Trihuvan University Central Library

4. Mr. Yadab Chandra Niroula Ministry of Education Library Coordination Section

5. Mr. Bhim Dhoj Shrestha (HoD)Tribhuvan University Department of Library and Information Science

6. Mr. Murari Binod Pokharel (Founder Member)Nepal Library Association

7. Mr. Bhola Kumar Shrestha Dilliraman-Kalayani Regmi Memorial Library

8. Mr. Chin Kaji ShresthaREAD Nepal

9. Mr. Rudra Dulal

10. Ms. Gita Giri ThapaNepal Library Association

11. Mr. Ganesh Baitha Nepal Library Association

12. Ms. Saroja ShresthaLIMISEC

13. Ms. Chandra Kiran ShresthaRECPHEC

14. Ms. Janaki Karmacharya

15. Ms. Bina Vaidya

16. Ms. Parbati Nepal

17. Ms. Anju RajbanshiCDPS/TU

18. Mr. Jagadish AryalSocial Science Baha

19. Mr. Chandra Bhushan YadabNepal Health Research Council

20. Mr. Gobinda Raj DahalNepal Library Association/KVPL

21. Mr. Prabin PoudelMadan Puruskar Library

22. Ms. Champa Kumari GurungNepal Library Association/TU Ayurved Campus

23. Ms. Nutan DhunganaB.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital

24. Ms. Neela MallaNepal Medical College

25. Ms. Dimpal BhattaraiKathmandu Valley Public Library

26. Ms. Reshma DangolNepal Library Association/SAARC

27. Ms. Shova BhandariKathmandu Valley Public Library

28. Ms. Pujan DahalOKRML

29. Mr.Ritesh NewaKathmandu Valley Public Library

30. Ms. Goma BanjadeTribhuvan International Airport

THANKS

IFLA Global Programe

Facilitators: Chandra Bhushan Yadav

Reshma DangolParticipants:1.NeelaMalla2. Goma Banjade

IFLA Global Programe

Facilitators: Chandra Bhushan Yadav

Reshma Dangol

Participants:

Neela Malla

2. Goma Banjade

Library

Anywhere of the World LibraryLibraryLibraryLibraryLibraryLibraryLibraryLibrary

Library

Anywhere of the World

Library

Library

Library

Library

Library

Library

Library

Library

United Library Field

•Union Catalogue (all fields)

•Make a National Library Server for all the libraries in Nepal•Create interactive website for each library and make link to the

National Server (Government)

•Create a link to IFLA server

United Library Field

Union Catalogue (all fields)

Make a National Library Server for all the libraries in Nepal

Create interactive website for each library and make link to the National Server (Government)

Create a link to IFLA server

About Highly successful Library

•Make it continue to sustain & Promote

About Highly successful Library

Make it continue to sustain & Promote

What is the title

“One world One Library”

What is the title

“One world One Library”

Current status of Library

•Manual Library

•Partially Automated Library•Partially Intranet base library•Few Libraries have own website

•Not updated the Library Webpages even (Government, Universities,

Communities NGO Libraries )

•Few Library have online digital libraries systems ongloing

Current status of Library

Manual Library

Partially Automated Library

Partially Intranet base library

Few Libraries have own website

Not updated the Library Webpages even (Government, Universities, Communities NGO Libraries )

Few Library have online digital libraries systems ongloing

What are the core Values of Libraries

•Authentic Information

•Evidence Based Information•Collaboration•Applied knowledge is Powerful

What are the core Values of Libraries

Authentic Information

Evidence Based Information

Collaboration

Applied knowledge is Powerful

What are Libraries exceptionally good at

•Collection

•Preservation•Dissemination

What are Libraries exceptionally good at

Collection

Preservation

Dissemination

What should Libraries do more of

•Positive Attitude

•Awareness to Community•Learning Culture Development•Open Interaction (Library 2.0)

What should Libraries do more of

Positive Attitude

Awareness to Community

Learning Culture Development

Open Interaction (Library 2.0)

What should Libraries do less of

Don’t be Passive in Library

Don’t Biasness Right Information to Right People at Right Time

What should Libraries do less of

Don’t be Passive in Library

Don’t Biasness

Right Information to Right People at Right Time

Challenges and Societies

Impact of society

a.Less Priorities b.Less knowledge about it’s importance c.Illiteracyd.Economic status

Challenges and Societies

Impact of society

Less Priorities

Less knowledge about it’s importance

Illiteracy

Economic status

Better life for society

•Community awareness

•Honesty•Positive attitude•Good leadership

Better life for society

Community awareness

Honesty

Positive attitude

Good leadership

What are the main challenges to libraries?

•Budget

•Qualified manpower•Lack of infrastructure•Copyright•Lack of resources•Lack of advocacy•Information explosion in different forms and formats•Librarian Attitude

What are the main challenges to libraries?

Budget

Qualified manpower

Lack of infrastructure

Copyright

Lack of resources

Lack of advocacy

Information explosion in different forms and formats

Librarian Attitude

United Library Field

•Identified the challenges

•Excellent coordination and collaboration by organizing workshops,

Seminar & talk programmes

•Excellent Information Preservation

•Easy access the information any where at any time•Library Networking

•Dedicated sharing

•Make Unity with the librarians (think tank), national survey, develop

evidence based report & give pressure to government as well as stake holders

United Library Field

Identified the challenges

Excellent coordination and collaboration by organizing workshops, Seminar & talk programmes

Excellent Information Preservation

Easy access the information any where at any time

Library Networking

Dedicated sharing

Make Unity with the librarians (think tank), national survey, develop evidence based report & give pressure to government as well as stake holders