Advocating for Library and Information Services by National Library Associations of Africa in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

The chapter documents the role that is played by national library associations in advocating for the development of library and information services for the attainment of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda in Africa. A structured records review and literature review was done to solicit information on how national library associations are taking part in achieving the sustainable development goals. Websites of associations were looked at and participants were drawn from national library associations in Africa, Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Library and Information Associations (SCECSAL), African Library and Information Association and Institution (AfLIA), and the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). The results indicated that national library associations are facing challenges in their advocacy work and there is a need to offer training to library staff and improve communication between librarians and policymakers.

bibliotecas como agentes de desarrollo ante la incidencia de la COVID-19 en la brecha digital

Los recursos bibliotecarios son herramientas de gran utilidad para reducir la brecha digital, aspecto contemplado en la Declaración sobre Bibliotecas y Desarrollo de IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions), y acentuado por la COVID-19. Pese a que desde las instituciones se ha luchado por el acceso de familias vulnerables a las TIC (Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación) se hace patente la necesidad de proyectos que aseguren la igualdad de oportunidades de los sectores más desfavorecidos. A dicho enfoque se vincula el estudio de caso que se presenta. Se ha desarrollado una prueba piloto, basada en integrar el planteamiento del International Advocacy Programme (IAP) de IFLA y la perspectiva de la dirección y gestión de proyectos en Unidades de Información y Documentación (UIDs) en un escenario real: la Biblioteca Pública Municipal Juan San Martín de Eibar, Guipúzcoa.

International health library associations urge the ICMJE to seek information specialists as peer reviewers for knowledge synthesis publications

N/A

Digital resources of the American Library Association for green and sustainable libraries

The experience of Russian libraries in educating ecological (ecological information) culture is widely discussed in domestic professional media. However, in Russia we feel the lack of information on relevant activities of foreign libraries and/or library associations. The authors offer their analysis of digital resources in sustainable development, green movement and ecological education of the population as provided by the American Library Association (ALA) and presented on ALA website. The resources comprise information on the efforts of ALA structural units related to organization of sustainable development activities at libraries; ALA politics and guiding materials; the interactive blog on libraries’ supporting sustainable communities; the catalog of new books in the “American Libraries” series within the subject scope “Sustainable development at the libraries”, and key international documents on sustainable development. The concept of three components of sustainable development of the society – Economy, Ecology and Equity – aka Three E, which ALA considers to be fundamental for sustainable libraries, is analyzed. Based on their analysis, the authors suggest that libraries will design and realize their own projects unifying all Three E. They conclude that further studies of the efforts of foreign libraries and/or library associations in ecological education and development of ecological (ecological information) culture, and, in particular, the study of relevant digital (electronic) resources are vitally important for Russian libraries and library science, including commencing digital (electronic) library science.Ecology and studying the related experience of libraries are among the major lines of activities of the Russian National Public Library for Science and Technology (RNPLS&T). The paper is prepared within the framework of the State Order № 075-01300-20-00.

Literature on Information Literacy

The paper provides an overview of the research conducted on various aspects of Information Literacy. Many studies have been conducted in India and abroad on different facets of Information Literacy and pinpointed that information literacy is an essential skill in the era of information explosion. This paper provides an outline of the research done on Information literacy all over the world. By analysing 104 studies on information literacy, the present study indicates that Information Literacy is an essential skill in the current society. The importance of libraries in imparting information literacy is also mentioned in many studies. The literacy training has to be started at the school level, and it should be included in the curricula. The review shows that the only solution to reduce the digital divide gap among the information-rich and information-poor citizens is information literacy. Many initiatives have been started in India to bridge this gap. Many organisations and Associations like UNESCO, IFLA, American Library Associations, Society of Colleges, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) have framed different standards and Information Literacy models for various types of information users.

The American Library Association: The landmarks of international library and bibliographic cooperation (1876–1976)

During the first 100 years of its existence, the American Library Association (ALA), the oldest national library association in the world, contributed much to the international library and bibliographic cooperation. The author describes the key areas of ALA international activity during the period under review. He identifies the following areas: support of building national library associations of other countries, projects and programs of international information exchange, promotion of basic democratic principles of libraries’ work, shared cataloguing, building the professional library education system, creation of the library periodicals and others. Based on the facts revealed in the periodicals, the author claims that national library associations are among the key instruments of library development both on the national and international levels. The fact that the American Library Association played a critical role in interlibrary relations strengthening during the described period evidences the association’s importance in the process of international library cooperation development.

Digital vs Electronic

The authors attempt to determine which of two adjectives are preferable to be used to describe processes and/or objects of cognition within scientific disciplines related to modern libraries, and whether these two terms are the synonyms to be reasonably equally used. The history of the adjectives digital and electronic as well as of the related terms is described; the definitions are given as they appear in Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries of the English language. The modern-day use of these adjectives, in particular in library and information activities and studies is assessed. The findings of the analysis of the websites of major world library associations are presented, e.g. those of International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and American Library Association (ALA). The history of use and the current status of the adjectives digital and electronic in library and information practice and scientific studies are analyzed. Within the context of the problems set forward in the article, the state terminological standard GOST 7.0.103-2018 “Library and information services. Terms and definitions” is reviewed. The authors conclude that the two adjectives are synonymous and may be used equally when solving theoretical and/or practical problems in library and information activities and studies; and that the combinations digital/electronic libraries and digital/electronic library science are equally acceptable.