Public%20Library%20Management

1
.

• Public Library Management
• New Trends
• P. Jayarajan

2
What is happening to public libraries?

• Public libraries in many countries are going
  through a major transformation,
• to keep pace with the changing economic, social,
  and technological aspects of the society.
• more as a strategy to survive!
• Libraries are demonstrating that they can
  provide a useful service to almost every segment
  of the population.
• Libraries have been stretching the traditional
  definition of library successfully.

3
The transformation process

• This process is known by different names
• Reinventing
• Revamping
• Re-engineering
• Modernisation
• . Change, Big change!

4
Post-transformation

• Range of new services on offer
• providing space, materials, technology for
  collaborative learning and creating eg access
  to 3D printers, laser cutters, milling machines,
  audio and video editing facility, etc known by
  different names makerspace,makerlab etc
• Exclusive area for teenagers with lounges,
  restaurants, studios, game rooms, digital labs,
  software and equipments to record music and
  create comic books.
• Community collaboration space
• Lending out musical instruments to plot of
  land!
• Offer of space for meetings, classes, night-time
  parties, even for weddings and as location for
  photo and video shooting.

5
Post-transformation

• Range of new services on offer
• Basic IT training programmes, including,
• internet access
• use Skype
• use social networks
• Jobs-related services
• help to find job vacancies
• training on resume writing
• help in applying for jobs
• training on interview process
• Help to book online tickets
• for travel
• concerts, movies and other activities

6
Post-transformation

• Helping children
• to play educational games
• to do homework and creative projects
• Helping to buy goods online
• Specially designed IT training for the aged
• taxpayers like these changes!

7
Public library transformation

• Some stories

8
Public libraries in US

• The Boston Public Library (1848), the oldest
  public urban library in the US, has transformed
  itself into a bustling community centre.
• A new section called Teen Central has become
  a favourite place for teenagers. It includes
  lounges, restaurants, game rooms, digital labs,
  plus software and equipment to record music and
  create comic books.
• The librarys new lobby has an open lounge area
  featuring new books, casual seating, and retail
  space, which could sell anything under the sky!
•  

9
Public libraries in US

• The new Madison Central Library offers a variety
  of innovative ways to connect people
• Media Lab a state-of-the-art digital facility
  where citizens can learn to edit videos, design
  video games.
• The Bubbler the librarys makerspace provides
  space, materials and instruction on all kinds of
  topics.
• Artist-in-residence who works on projects and
  take classes.
• Space for night-time parties, meetings, classes,
  even weddings
• location for video photo location

10
Public libraries in US

• The Library Farm an organic community garden on
  one and half acre of land is owned by the Public
  Library in Cicero, New York.
• Anyone can borrow a plot!
• Members can learn organic farming practices in
  the borrowed plot .
• The purpose of the Library Farm is to provide a
  place for the community to grow, share and learn
  about food literacy, and organic, sustainable
  gardening

11
Public libraries in US

• San Francisco Public Librarys outreach program
  to homeless users, is staffed by a full-time
  psychiatric social worker and includes the
  services of five peer counselors, all of whom
  were once homeless themselves.
• Since its launch four years ago, it has become a
  model for other public libraries across the
  country.

12
Public libraries in US

• the worst is over!
• no more threats of closures and budget cuts!!
• . and no major complaints about the new
  changes!!!

13
Public libraries in UK

• Since 2000, new state-of-the-art library
  buildings have opened in many cities
• While cuts and closures are affecting library
  services, the past decade has seen
  a transformation of public libraries
• All libraries are reporting record numbers of
  users.

14
Public libraries in UK

• In 2011, it was revealed that more than 400
  libraries were under threat of closure due to
  budget cuts
• This forced citizens to form the Save Our
  Libraries Campaign.

15
Public libraries in UK

• Many major writers reacted strongly against the
  planned closure of 11 branches out of a total of
  18 in Liverpool they called it a massacre.
• The authorities responded by saying no library
  in Liverpool will be closed.

16
A new public library in Birmingham

• A new public library was opened recently in
  Birmingham
• 186m was spent
• Probably will be the largest public library in
  Europe
• The library expects to attract 10,000 visitors a
  day.

17
Another landmark library

• Finlands new Central Public Library in Helsinki
• To be opened in 2018
• Coinciding with the100 years of Finlands
  independence
• State of the art library
• 18,000 sq metres
• 10,000 visitors daily

18
Central public library, Helsinki
19
First floor multipurpose hall
20
Middle floor Studios
21
Top floor Childrens area , Citizens balcony
and
22
Top floor . and Books
23
Innovation Story from Singapore

• Public-Private-People Partnership model public
  library
• Building constructed by a leading construction
  company
• IT systems and other infrastructure provided by
  an IT company
• Library managed by trained volunteers
• NLB only overseas the functioning and controls
  quality

24
Innovation Story from Singapore
25
Innovation Singapore Memory Project

• Launched in 2011, this project aims to collect 5
  million personal memories as well as a
  substantial number of published materials on
  Singapore by 2015.
• Members of the public are invited to submit
  their memories, eg family photos

26
Public libraries in Singapore
27
Public libraries in Singapore
28
Revamping Story from Ukraine

• Public libraries in Ukraine went for a massive
  revamping with support from various agencies
• the International Research and Exchanges Board
  (IREX),
• the United States Agency for International
  Development (USAID),
• the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine
• the Ukrainian Library Association
• Supported by a 25 million grant from the Bill
  Melinda Gates Foundation.
• In addition, Microsoft donated an estimated 9
  million in software
• The programme was called Bibliomist

29
Story from Ukraine

• Under the Bibliomist project, about 2,000 public
  libraries were modernised
• Two major components of the modernisation
  programme were
• Introduction of computers and internet access
• Library innovation trainings for librarians
• . now offers a variety of services for the
  community, most IT based

30
Story from Ukraine New services

• The quantitative analysis of the data collected
  from the new libraries demonstrated that
• Public libraries not only provide information
  services but also positively influence the
  economic needs of users, communities and even the
  whole country
• SMART INVESTMENTS
• Social Economic Value of Libraries
• Ukrainian public libraries from 2010 to 2013

31
The story so far

• Similar stories coming from many more countries,
  eg Greece, Jamaica, Netherlands, Denmark, Haiti,
  Uganda, Turkey etc etc
• do we have a story??

32
The story so far The new trends?

• Community engagement
• Partnership and collaboration
• Innovation
• Change
• books get a seat!

33
The story so far Impact of the new changes

• improved perceptions of libraries
• Significant increase in library usage
• more visits to libraries
• improved confidence in the libraries
• feeling good about the library
• .. effective support from public

34
The Critics!

• Why should libraries undertake such non-library
  functions?
• Once a sanctuary of silence, modern library has
  become noisy
• Librarians accused of encouraging activities in
  bid to entice more visitors
• this is not librarianship!
• .. campaign has been launched to get UK's
  libraries back to what they were!!

35
Public libraries in India

• Do we have story ?

36
Public libraries in India

• Continue to be a neglected lot
• Indifferent stakeholders
• Low priority for government(s)
• Silent citizens
• Library profession not doing enough
• ..no major change

37
NMLa missed opportunity?

• In 2012 The National Mission on Libraries was
  constituted, with a High Level Committee.
• NML has been discussing various projects and
  programmes eg National Virtual Library, Capacity
  building, Model public libraries, Public library
  survey etc.
• Nothing visible has happened so far.
• The current term of NML expires soon, hope the
  term will be extended.

38
New opportunities

• Vanche Bharat
• 100 Smart cities project
• Model village project
• Public Libraries in CSR subject list
• NML 2.0

39
The wish-list

• A few state-of-the-art model public libraries in
  every State
• Government(s) making determined and conscious
  decision to invest in public libraries
• High profile public library campaign
• Flow of CSR funds to public library development
• Creation of a Public Library Development Fund
• Library profession taking a proactive role.

40
.

• Thank you

41
.

• jayarajan45_at_gmail.com
• 91 9605183684, 91 9495694654