Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Post

Joint statement on Public Library funding from Jo Cornish, interim CILIP CEO, and Nick Poole, outgoing CILIP CEO Public libraries change lives. Across every part of the UK, librarians and library workers deliver transformative work that helps people live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives. Despite this, our nation’s life-changing libraries are now facing a significant threat as a result of the failure of central Government to provide long-term sustainable financial support to Local Authorities. 📣We now call on our members, allies and champions to use the hashtag #DearChancellor on all social media platforms to tell the Chancellor why you believe public libraries deserve urgent financial support from HM Treasury.📣 Public libraries are a legislated, statutory service under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 ‘to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service.' CILIP is campaigning to ensure that this status is recognised and respected as such. We have taken the decision to issue this special edition of our newsletter to share the campaigning work that CILIP is leading to stand up for quality local library services and the incredible librarians and library workers that make them what they are. Today we have also made a formal statement calling on the Libraries Minister to protect public libraries. Take action now! More info & resources to support the campaign: https://lnkd.in/eKGdC5Kx

The newest issue of C&RL is available to read online for free: https://bit.ly/crl-856 In this issue: an editorial from Amanda Clossen on teaching bias with Dungeons and Dragons, 7 research articles & 5 book reviews. Books reviewed in this issue: 📚 Creators in the Academic Library: Collections and Spaces 📚 Instructional Identities and Information Literacy: Transforming Our Programs, Institutions, and Profession, Volume 2 📚 Leading Dynamic Information Literacy Programs: Best Practices and Stories from Instruction Coordinators 📚 Delivering the Visitor Experience: How to Create, Manage and Develop an Unforgettable Visitor Experience at Your Museum 📚 Libraries Without Borders: New Directions in Library History

It's National Library Week! ✨ 📚 Why is it important to support libraries in our communities? 💡 Access to Information Libraries offer books, newspapers, magazines, digital materials and databases that help everyone access information and bridge the gap for those with less resources. 🌎 Cultural Preservation Libraries collect and archive historical documents and other materials, including the history of the First Nations and even real-time preservation of today's society. 🏠 Safe Community Spaces Libraries are hubs were community members can gather, collaborate, study, or take part in activities and workshops. Many libraries also serve as "Safe Places" where youth can find help getting to safety and shelter. 💻 Digital Access and Literacy With computers and internet connectivity, libraries help give digital access to those who may not have it otherwise. Plus, librarians often offer assistance and training in digital literacy to help people navigate our increasingly digital world. Ready to connect with your library? Explore the Massachusetts Libraries digital collections or find your local library by visiting: https://lnkd.in/eFjQWeyJ

What it says on the tin: "Informationliteracy.gov disseminates successful practices, tools, and programs related to financial, health, digital, and other information literacy subject areas. Focusing on resources and programs delivered locally, Informationliteracy.gov supports library and museum practitioners and community-based organizations across the country in their efforts to meet community needs and provide resources and trainings on these subjects."

One thing we can all agree on is that 2020 was a monumental year. It brought about a lot of uncertainties and changes and tested our adaptability and readiness for the digital age. Libraries were not left out of this wave of change, as physical library spaces were closed, and as such, libraries had to rely heavily on digital tools and technology to offer library services. To support libraries in the ever-evolving realities of the post-COVID-19 era, we had a series of virtual consultative sessions with librarians across African countries, and from these consultations, we developed a Call to Action & Guide for African Libraries & Librarians. Read here: https://lnkd.in/durSvVTa

**Revolutionizing Librarianship in Africa through Digital Tools ** 🌟 Welcome our journey exploring the dynamic world of digital tools in librarianship! 📚💻 As we step into this digital era, it's vital for librarians to embrace the wave of technological advancements that are transforming our field. Here are some website that would help advance your career: 1. American Library Association (ALA) Digital Literacy Resources: Offers guides and tools for librarians to develop digital literacy programs. [Website: ala.org] 2. OCLC WebJunction: A platform where library staff meet to build skills, access resources, and develop solutions to common challenges. [Website: webjunction.org] 3. LibGuides Community: Thousands of libraries use LibGuides to share information. It’s a great resource for finding guides on almost any subject. [Website: libguides.com] 4. Library of Congress Digital Collections: Provides free access to digital documents relevant to the history and culture of the United States. [Website: loc.gov/collections] 5. Project MUSE: Offers high-quality digital content in the humanities and social sciences from over 200 publishers. [Website: muse.jhu.edu] 6. Google Scholar: A freely accessible web search engine that indexes scholarly articles across an array of publishing formats and disciplines. [Website: scholar.google.com] 7. JSTOR: Provides access to thousands of academic journals, books, and primary sources in many disciplines. [Website: jstor.org] 8. Digital Public Library of America (DPLA): Connects people to the riches held within America’s libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural heritage institutions. [Website: dp.la] 9. Coursera for Library Staff: Offers courses on various topics, including technology, which can be beneficial for skill development. [Website: coursera.org] 10. TechSoup for Libraries: Helps libraries to make smart technology decisions, offering resources like articles, blogs, and webinars. [Website: techsoupforlibraries.org] #LibrariansOfLinkedIn #DigitalTransformation #LibraryInnovation

Thanks Steven Litt for the insightful article highlighting the importance of libraries generally and the new Woodland Branch specifically! https://lnkd.in/gEF2J3bA

In a recent Texas Library Association journal article, Kathy McNally Carter of the University of Houston discusses "Supporting Open Pedagogy as a Path to Student Engagement." This piece resonates deeply with the broader role librarians play in fostering open culture and pedagogy. Beyond guiding faculty and students in using OER, librarians are instrumental in enhancing resource discoverability and archiving in institutional repositories. Our role also includes promoting open access publishing and advocating for transparent academic practices. Open pedagogy, which positions students as co-creators of knowledge, shifts traditional education models, increasing engagement and quality of work. As librarians, we can assist faculty in transitioning existing materials into OERs and guide the community in adopting open educational practices. This journey towards a vibrant academic culture, rich in collaborative learning and open access, invites us to consider how open education reshapes traditional academic structures. As we advance in this transformative journey, let's ponder a critical question: 🌟 How does open education and culture challenge, and reshape traditional academic structures and relationships, and what implications does this have for the future of learning and knowledge sharing? #highereducation #openeducation #innovativelearning #librarians #oer

The Resilience of Libraries: A Testament to Human Dignity In a thought-provoking editorial, The Guardian discusses the enduring value of libraries in the face of modern challenges. Despite the rise of digital media and recent cyber-attacks on institutions like the British Library, the significance of physical books and the role of librarians remain irreplaceable. Libraries have long been bastions of knowledge and community pride. They are not only about borrowing books but also about accessing the internet, socializing, and finding a warm space. The recent cyber-attack highlights the vulnerability of digital archives and reinforces the importance of maintaining physical collections. As we look to the future, it’s clear that libraries must adapt, but their core mission of serving the community and preserving human dignity through access to knowledge will always be relevant. https://lnkd.in/d7t5mYmi #Libraries #Community #KnowledgeIsPower

In this session, join Katie Clark from KI as she shares the results based on ethnographic research with 10+ institutions and community libraries across the country, all aimed at answering the question, "What is the future of higher education libraries?" https://ow.ly/SLPr50SZpLN