Role of libraries in development

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Role of libraries in development

• Catherine Johnson, Adrienne Wiegert
• Shana Kegley
• SOIS UWM
• WLA Conference
• October 27, 2005

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Founding principles of American Public Libraries

• Publicly funded body for self-education/self-impro
  vement
• Tool of democracy - informed citizenry
• Symbol of community maturity
• Means of social control

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Information and development

• What is development?
• Economic growth, personal well being, education,
  gender equality and participation in government
  structures.
• Role of information in development
• Access to information for all people to build
  self-reliance, incorporating traditional
  knowledge and respecting traditional channels of
  communication

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Types of development information

• Agriculture and animal husbandry
• Healthcare
• Education and literacy
• Technology
• Employment
• Finance/loans
• Welfare entitlements
• Government information/regulations
• Human rights

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Community development

• Implies both economic and social development
  holistic approach
• A dynamic process involving diverse groups
• Residents work together to address common issues

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Librarys role in CD

• Information resource
• Place where diverse groups meet and mingle
• Provides service to disadvantaged groups

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Underlying roles

• Last bastion of the public sphere
• Library as public place
• Generator of social capital

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Mongolia study abroad group
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Population 2.7 million Density 1 person/sq. km
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GNI US480
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98 literacy rate
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SOIS and Mongolian library students
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Wall mural Ulaanbaatar Public Library
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Ulaanbaatar Public Library
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State Central Library Reading Room
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Requesting a book
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Restoring sutras in basement of Central Library
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Tibetan translator
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Ger district library
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Mongolian countryside
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No automation in rural libraries
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Childrens room in Gobi library
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Childrens room
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Book stacks rural library
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Donated books rural library
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Internet center Gobi public library
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Characteristics of Mongolian Libraries

• Minimal funding by government
• Libraries used as study halls
• No programming
• Not service oriented

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Library technology

• Minimal to no library automation (none in
  countryside)
• No networking among libraries
• Currently no public Internet access

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Conclusion

• Libraries in developing countries need to take a
  more proactive role in providing development-type
  information
• Library educators needs to focus on service role
  of public libraries
• Funding agencies need to promote libraries as a
  publicly supported body that supports
  self-education, access to information, and
  community development

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Bayalaa!